What confetti text actually is
Confetti text is animated falling shapes — usually colorful squares, circles, or paper-like pieces — that appear when you send a message or open a document. The shapes fall across your screen for a few seconds, then disappear. It is purely visual and does not change the message itself.
Different platforms call this feature by different names. Apple calls it "Celebration" effects. Google calls it "dynamic effects". Microsoft calls it "animations". The result is the same: your text triggers a short animation when the recipient opens the message or when you send it.
Confetti is not something you add to the text permanently. It is an effect that plays once, usually when the message arrives or when the recipient opens it. After the animation finishes, the message looks normal again.
Key Takeaways
- Confetti effects are built into iMessage, Google Messages, and Microsoft Teams — you do not need to read anything extra.
- On iPhone, press and hold the send button to choose a celebration effect before sending the message.
- On Android with Google Messages, long-press the send button and select "Add effects" to pick confetti or other animations.
- In Microsoft Word and Teams, confetti animations are found in the Insert menu under Animations, and they play when you present or open the document.
- Confetti effects only work when both people are using the same app — an iPhone user sending to an Android user will not see the effect on the Android side.
How to add confetti in iMessage on iPhone
Open the Messages app and type your message as normal. Do not tap the send button yet. Instead, press and hold the send button (the blue arrow on the right side of the text box). A menu will appear showing different effect options.
You will see two tabs at the bottom: "Bubble" and "Screen". The "Screen" tab is where confetti lives. Tap "Screen" and you will see several options including confetti, balloons, laser beams, and fireworks. Tap the confetti icon (it looks like falling colored squares). The preview will show you what the effect looks like. Once you confirm, release your finger from the send button and the message will send with the confetti effect attached.
When the recipient opens the message, the confetti animation will play on their screen. If they are using an older iPhone or iPad that does not support effects, they will see the message with a note saying "Sent with Celebration effect" but will not see the animation itself.
How to add confetti in Google Messages on Android
Open Google Messages and type your message. Long-press the send button (the arrow icon). A menu will appear with options including "Add effects". Tap "Add effects" and you will see a grid of animation choices. Confetti is usually one of the first options shown. Tap it to select it.
A preview will show you how the effect will look when the message arrives. Once you confirm your choice, the message will send with the confetti animation. The recipient will see the confetti fall across their screen when they open the message, but only if they are also using Google Messages on Android. iPhone users receiving the message will see a text note about the effect instead of the animation.
If you do not see the "Add effects" option, your version of Google Messages may be outdated. Open the Google Play Store, search for "Google Messages", and tap "Update" if an update is available.
How to add confetti animations in Microsoft Word
Open your Word document and select the text you want to animate. Go to the "Insert" menu at the top and look for "Animations" (the exact location varies slightly depending on whether you are using Word on Windows, Mac, or online). Click "Animations".
A panel will open on the right side showing animation options. Scroll through the list to find "Confetti" or similar celebration effects. Click the one you want. The animation will be applied to your selected text. You can adjust the timing and speed using the options in the same panel.
The animation will play when you present the document in slideshow mode or when someone opens the file and clicks to trigger animations. In normal editing view, you will see a small animation icon next to the text showing that an effect is attached, but the animation itself will not play unless you are presenting or the document is set to auto-play.
How to add confetti in Microsoft Teams
In a Teams chat, type your message and look for the smiley face icon or effects button near the send button (the exact location depends on whether you are using Teams on desktop, web, or mobile). Click or tap that icon. A menu will appear with reaction options and sometimes animation effects.
If you see an "Effects" or "Animations" option, tap it to see what is available. Some versions of Teams show confetti and celebration effects here. Select the one you want and send the message. The recipient will see the animation play when the message arrives, but only if they are also using Teams.
Not all versions of Teams have this feature yet. If you do not see an effects menu, your version may not support message animations. Check that Teams is fully updated by going to your account settings and looking for update options.
Why confetti effects sometimes do not show up
Confetti effects only work between users on the same platform. If you send a message with confetti from iMessage to an Android user, they will see a text note saying an effect was sent, but the animation will not play on their screen. The same applies in reverse — Android confetti will not animate on iPhone.
Some older devices do not support these animations at all. If the recipient is using an older iPhone, iPad, or Android phone, the message will arrive but the effect will not play. They will usually see a text note explaining that an effect was sent.
If you are sending through a third-party app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, confetti effects are not available. These features only work in the native messaging apps that built them in — iMessage, Google Messages, and Teams.
Confetti effects in other apps and documents
Some social media apps and messaging platforms have added their own versions of celebration effects. Instagram Direct Messages, for example, sometimes shows animations when you send certain keywords or use specific reactions. These work differently from the confetti in iMessage or Google Messages and are usually triggered automatically by what you type rather than by a button you press.
In Google Slides and PowerPoint, you can add confetti animations to text and objects the same way you do in Word — by selecting the object, going to Animations, and choosing a celebration effect. These animations play during presentations or when someone opens the file in slideshow mode.
If you are using a web-based document editor like Google Docs, animation options are more limited. Google Docs does not currently support confetti animations the way Word does, though this may change as the platform updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add confetti to a message I already sent?
No. The effect must be chosen before you send the message. Once a message is sent, you cannot add or change its animation. You would need to send a new message with the effect attached.
Will the recipient see confetti if they have animations turned off?
Most devices have a setting to reduce motion or disable animations for accessibility reasons. If the recipient has this setting turned on, the confetti animation will not play, though they will usually see a text note saying an effect was sent.
Does confetti work in group chats?
Yes, confetti works in group messages the same way it does in one-on-one chats. Everyone in the group who is using the same app and has animations enabled will see the effect when the message arrives.
Can I use confetti in emails?
Standard email does not support confetti animations. Email clients like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail do not have built-in celebration effects. You would need to use a messaging app instead.
What is the difference between bubble effects and screen effects?
Bubble effects animate the message bubble itself — it might expand, shrink, or change color. Screen effects like confetti animate across the entire screen behind the message. Screen effects are more dramatic and noticeable.