Slack is one of the best task management apps out there today. But in reality it is much more. It is a multi-purpose communication tool, and if you know how to use the many functions it contains, it can replace any other communication, collaboration and time management software you have used before.
We’ve compiled a list of the most useful Slack tips and tricks for any user. Whether you are getting started with the app or consider yourself a pro, you will find something on this list.
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Send private messages to users anywhere
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If you want to send a direct message to someone on Slack, you don’t need to jump from one chat to another or search for their name among your team members. Instead, you can use the / msg @username command to send them a quick message from anywhere in your workspace.
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Just enter it in the message box and click send. Slack will then automatically send it as a private message to that user and take you to a private chat with them.
Mute Channels on Slack
While it’s important to stay in touch with your coworkers, you might feel that some of Slack‘s channels are less important to you. The good news is that you can turn off notifications for any channel without leaving it.
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One way to do this is through the channel settings. Find the Conversation Settings button in the upper right corner and select Mute # channel name.
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It is also possible to turn off all notifications from all channels using the “Do not disturb” mode. To turn it on, click the bell icon in the upper left corner. There, you can choose a specific time period or even set up a Do Not Disturb schedule to automate the process.
Organize your Slack with All Unreads
If you are part of a large team or organization, your Slack can go bad. With multiple channels and updates, it can sometimes be hard not to miss something important if you haven’t been checking your Slack for a day or two. Then you are completely drowning in updates.
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You can better organize your Slack workspace with the handy All Unread tool. To customize it, go to Settings> Sidebar> Advanced Options. Then click on the box next to Show all unread. This will activate a thread in the sidebar, which will allow you to jump straight to all unread messages from all channels you have joined in Slack
To go even further, you can adjust the sidebar settings so that only unread conversations and conversations that you started are displayed. To do this, in the sidebar settings, under Appearance, select Unread and Favorite Conversations instead of All.
Use Slack Bot to set reminders
Slack itself is a multi-purpose collaboration tool. But with the right Slack bots, you can achieve even more. These are Slack apps that can help you complete various tasks in a shorter time frame and with less effort.
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For example, you can use Slackbot to remind yourself of what to do in the future. To set a reminder for yourself (or another team member), go to Direct Messages and select Slackbot. In the chat box, enter
/ remind @username or #channelname what when.
So –
/ remind @me of lunch time every day at 4:30 pm.
Learn how to use the advanced search options
By default, Slack shows you messages from all channels and people when you’re looking for something. This can be extremely inconvenient if you are looking for something specific.
Learn how to use Slack‘s advanced search commands so you never have to look through many messages again.
- Use In to narrow your search. If you are sure that what you are looking for is in a specific channel or chat, go to search and enter your word: #channelname or @username. Then you will only receive search results from that channel or chat.
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- Use From to search for messages from a specific user. Enter from: @username in the search box.
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- Use to search messages for a specific element. If you’re looking for a specific link, email address, phone number, etc., go to the search box and type has: your word.
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- Use Before, During, and After to search for messages in specific date ranges. Thus, typing during: 2020 will show you search results for that year only.
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Master Slack Keyboard Shortcuts
Slack has keyboard shortcuts for pretty much everything. This includes going from one channel to another (Option / Alt + down / up arrow) and formatting the message text.
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One great Slack tip is to find a complete list of all Slack keyboard shortcuts, click on the three dots in the upper right corner, and open the list of keyboard shortcuts. By studying them, you’ll see how much easier it is to navigate Slack and have everything you need to be productive.
Once you’ve mastered them, be sure to learn some useful keyboard shortcuts for both Mac and Windows keyboard to improve your user experience.
Time to try it out
Learning how to use Slack to its fullest with Slack tips and tricks is sure to increase your productivity and make communication with your team members smoother. You can use Slack as your second brain to never forget things again.
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