Is there an easy way to do this? Other than bashing the whole character and address thing out on chat window is there some shortcut to friend addresses that i've missed? Please say there is!

You've been typing out character names? Why? You only need the @handle. And you can right click on a name to send a tell, and if you start a name that appears somewhere (ie local to you, recently sent a tell, or in your SG or on your friendslist) it will autocomplete. Backspace also replies to your most recent tell.

It's when they're not on the map or haven't said anything yet that's the prob.. Thing is i get the name come up when i start but there doesn't seem to be any way to get it to fill in on the chat I'm typing. The name comes up but that's all that happens.. A useful guide to what to type but no more than that.

press up then enter.

Have you tried clicking on it or pushing up and enter?

tried clicking but not up and enter will do so next time thnx very much for speedy response..
P.S. Am so sorry I mistook you for a newby when you tried to join that team and I condescendingly explained some prob can't remember what. I checked the handle and was like OMG I talked down to him!