Slack Cheat Sheet

Here’s a cheat sheet for using Slack, a popular team collaboration and messaging platform:

Basic Messaging

  • Send a Message:
    • Type your message in the message input field and press Enter.
  • Format Text:
    • Use *bold*, _italic_, and ~strikethrough~ for formatting.
  • Mention a User:
    • Type @username to notify a specific user.
  • Create a Channel:
    • Click on the “+” next to “Channels” to create a new channel.
  • Join a Channel:
    • Click on “Channels” and select “Browse channels” to join a new channel.

Channels

  • #channel-name:
    • Use “#” to mention a channel in messages.
  • Private Channels:
    • Create private channels for sensitive discussions.
  • Channel Purpose:
    • Set a channel purpose to provide context.

Direct Messages

  • Direct Messages:
    • Click on the “+” next to “Direct Messages” to start a direct conversation.
  • Group Messages:
    • Create group messages for small team discussions.

Attachments and Files

  • Upload a File:
    • Click on the paperclip icon to upload and share files.
  • Share a Link:
    • Paste a link to automatically generate a preview.
  • Use Emoji Reactions:
    • React to messages with emojis for quick feedback.

Advanced Features

  • Reminders:
    • Use /remind to set reminders for yourself or others.
  • Snippet:
    • Use /snippet to create and share code snippets.

Notifications

  • Notification Preferences:
    • Customize notification settings for channels and mentions.
  • Do Not Disturb (DND):
    • Set your status to “Do Not Disturb” to mute notifications.
  • Mute a Channel:
    • Right-click on a channel and select “Mute Channel.”

Integrations and Bots

  • Add Integrations:
    • Integrate apps and services to streamline workflows.
  • Use Slack Bots:
    • Add bots for automation and additional functionality.

Search

  • Search Messages:
    • Use the search bar to find specific messages or files.
  • Search Operators:
    • Use operators like from:, in:, and before: for advanced search.

Shortcuts

  • Navigate Channels:
    • Ctrl + K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + K (Mac) to switch channels.
  • Jump to Conversations:
    • Alt + ↑/↓ to navigate between recent channels and DMs.
  • Mark as Unread:
    • Alt + Shift + ↑/↓ to mark messages or channels as unread.

Commands

  • Use Slash Commands:
    • Type / to access a list of available slash commands.
  • Custom Commands:
    • Set up custom slash commands for your workspace.

Tips

  • Threaded Conversations:
    • Use threads to keep discussions organized.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts:
    • Check out the full list of keyboard shortcuts for efficient navigation.
  • Explore Slack Apps:
    • Visit the Slack App Directory for additional tools and integrations.

This cheat sheet covers basic Slack functionalities. Refer to the official Slack Help Center for more detailed information and advanced features.