messageReferenceTemplateFunction

The template used to render message references (replies and pinned messages).

Example

<div id="chat"></div>
<script>
let messagesData = [
    {
        id: 1,
        text: "This is the original message that can be replied to.",
        authorId: "user1",
        authorName: "John Doe",
        authorImageUrl: "https://demos.telerik.com/kendo-ui/content/web/Customers/RICSU.jpg",
        timestamp: new Date(2026, 0, 1, 9, 0)
    },
    {
        id: 2,
        text: "This is a reply to the first message with custom reference template.",
        authorId: "user2",
        authorName: "Jane Smith",
        authorImageUrl: "https://demos.telerik.com/kendo-ui/content/web/Customers/LONEP.jpg",
        replyToId: 1,
        timestamp: new Date(2026, 0, 1, 9, 5)
    },
    {
        id: 3,
        text: "This message is pinned and uses the reference template.",
        authorId: "admin",
        authorName: "Admin",
        authorImageUrl: "https://demos.telerik.com/kendo-ui/content/web/Customers/RICSU.jpg",
        timestamp: new Date(2026, 0, 1, 9, 10),
        isPinned: true
    }
];

$("#chat").kendoChat({
    messageReferenceTemplate: function(data) {
        return "<div class='custom-reference'>" + 
               "<span class='custom-reference-text'>" + data.text + "</span>" +
               "</div>";
    },
    authorId: "user2",
    dataSource: messagesData
});
</script>
In this article
messageReferenceTemplate
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