What is Slack?

Slack is an online collaboration messaging app. You can use it instead of email to work with team members, in real time, to have organic, in-the moment conversations.

Slack features

You can use Slack to:

• Send direct messages to teammates
• Keep conversations organized and search conversation histories
• Join and leave channels
• Create channels and invite team members to join them
• Make calls
• Set up or participate in video conferences
• Share files
• Use with Slack-compatible apps
• And more!

Slack benefits

• Organized Conversations: In Slack, you can send messages and share files with team members via channels. Private (internal) or share (external) channels can be created for teams, projects, office locations, etc.
• Search Conversation Histories: When messages and files are shared in public channels, information flows transparently throughout Slack. You can search your team's conversation history, providing best practice information for future use.
• Use Slack-Friendly Apps to Be Even More Effective: You can add a variety of apps to your workspace to interact with Slack, without leaving your Slack workspace. Download apps from the Slack App Directory.
• Make Calls: Use slack to make voice or video calls with workspace team members, share your screen, or even draw on your screen while you’re screen sharing!

What to know about using Slack

• Don't use Slack for important discussions.
• Understand the difference between teams and channels.
• Use public channels instead of private, 1–1 communication.
• Declutter often.
• Turn off Slack notifications when you need to focus.
• Use Slack themes.

Slack workspace

A Slack workspace is like shared hub that consists of chat-room like "channels." Team members use channels to communicate, collaborate, and share information.

Slack channels

A Slack channel is a place where invited team members can message each other and share tools and files.

• Organize channels by team, project, etc.
• You can make channels public, to the team, or private, to invitees only. (Private channels cannot be made public.)
• Join and leave channels as preferred.
• Create threads within channels to keep side conversations organized.

Roles in Slack

Each workspace generally consists of these roles:

• Workspace Owners: create the workspace and set permissions.
• Workspace Admins: are assigned by Workspace Owners to help manage the team.
• Members: can send messages and files to team members in their workspace.
• Guests: can send messages and files in specific channels.