Some of Slack’s best features

Slack is a highly evolved instant messaging platform with a host of productivity features. Here are some of the best functions, to use without moderation.

Slack, the communications platform used by millions of people every day, has helped many users stay connected to each other while they get used to hybrid or full remote working. The service is continually adding new features to meet user needs. And the more you use Slack, the more you discover. Here is a list of some of the best features.

Show only the Slack notifications you need

Slack notifications can be endless. To have only the most important for you, you can customize the channels or discussions.

1. Open Slack.
2. Click to open the channel or conversation whose notifications you want to customize.
3. Click the channel name or group member names at the top of the screen.
4. Click the Notifications section to choose between “Every new message”, “@mentions only” or “No notifications”.

You can also disable all notifications with the “Disable channel notifications” option.

Add the pronunciation of your name

This Slack audio feature will help your co-workers avoid slurring your name. You can record the pronunciation of your name and add it to your profile. You can also add the phonetic version of your name.

1. Open Slack.
2. Click your profile icon in the upper right corner.
3. Choose Profile.
4. Click Add pronunciation. This option should be under your job title or pronouns.
5. In the Name pronunciation text field, enter the phonetic pronunciation of your name. You can also click on Record an audio clip, say your name and click on the small tick to validate.
6. Finally, click Save Changes.

Schedule Slack messages

Your team may not work the same hours as you. Scheduling messages is very simple, and it helps to avoid annoying a colleague at an inconvenient hour. You can even schedule messages to yourself, for any reminders.

1. Open Slack.
2. Type your message.
3. On the desktop app, click the green down arrow next to the send button. On mobilepress and hold the send button to display the scheduling options.
4. Click Custom Time to enter the send date and time. You can plan up to four months in advance.
5. Click Schedule if requested. Otherwise, the message is programmed.

Host a quick little voice meeting

Sometimes you just need to chat with a colleague, without having to organize a formal Zoom call. Slack lets you take advantage of team calls. You can communicate with one or more.

1. Open Slack.
2. Open a chat.
3. Click on the helmet-shaped icon (bottom left on the desktop version, top right on mobile).

Customize your Slack theme

Slack displays a bright theme by default with purple coloring. If you don’t like it too much, you can change the color palette and/or switch to dark mode.

1. Open Slack.
2. Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click Themes in the left panel.
5. There, you can opt for dark mode, a preset color scheme, or customize everything.

Change the font size

Dark mode can help improve readability, but if the font is too small, changing the color won’t really help. Here’s how to adjust the size:

1. Open Slack.
2. Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click Accessibility in the left panel.
5. From here you can increase or decrease the font. By default the app is at 100%, you can go down to 70% and go up to 200%.

Change Slack notification sounds

If you’re tired of the default notification sounds, or don’t want to reach for your phone every time a Slack ad plays on TV, you can change these sounds.

1. Open Slack.
2. Click on your profile picture in the upper right corner.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Scroll down to Sound and Appearance.
5. Open the drop-down menu under Notification sound (messages).
6. Click on a sound to listen to it. Here you can choose a new sound, or no sound at all. Once you have made your choice, exit the preferences and your changes will be saved automatically.

Use Slack Connect

Slack Connect allows you to send messages to users outside your company, to communicate with partner companies and customers more easily. This makes it possible to avoid long exchanges by email and/or to multiply the services.

1. Click Slack Connect and click Create Channel.
2. Give a name and add a description (optional).
3. Choose to make it a public or private channel. (A private channel cannot be made public once more.)
4. Make sure the “Share outside of [nom de l’entreprise]” is checked.
5. Click Next and you can send invitations by entering email addresses for users outside your company or colleagues. Add a short message if you wish and click send.
6. Slack Connect will confirm that the invite was sent and let those people know you invited them.
7. If you no longer need the channel, you can mute it in Channel Details (by clicking the little i or arrow next to the channel name). You can also leave the channel or group via this same screen and selecting Leave Channel.

Create custom Slack emoji

It’s not a productivity feature, sure, but it’s still nice. Slack has over 2,000 emoji to choose from, but you can create your own. Unfortunately, the operation is not possible via the mobile app.

1. Open Slack.
2. Click on the name of thespace in the upper left corner.
3. Click Customize.
4. Click Add custom emoji.
5. Upload an image and give it a name.
6. Click Save.