Getting started with Slack

1. Install Slack and log in.
2. Join a Slack workspace.
3. Set up your profile—remember to add a picture.
4. Find and join channels that matter to you.
5. Next, learn how to:
   • Send and read messages.
   • Access and start direct messages in your workspace.

Send direct messages (DMs) from your desktop

1. In Slack, go to the navigation panel and select a team member's name, if listed.
2. (If the name isn't listed) Click Direct Message, enter a name into the text box, and select the person's name.
3. Type a message into the text box, at the bottom of the Slack window, and press Enter or Return on your keyboard.
   The message is sent to the team members.

About channels

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

• Organize channels by team, project, etc.
• Join and leave channels as preferred.
• Create threads within channels to keep side conversations organized.

Join a channel from your desktop

1. In Slack, navigate to the top of the left-navigation panel and click the word Channels.
   The Browse Channels window displays.
2. Search for and select the channel that you want to join.
   If you have permission, you are added to the channel.

Leave a channel from your desktop

1. In Slack, click the Channel Settings (gear) icon, located at the top of the window.
2. Click Leave (it will fill in the channel's name).
   Note: If you have not "joined" the channel, the Leave option does not display and you do not need to leave the channel.
3. (For private channels) You will also need to click "Yes, leave the private channel."
   Important: You will no longer be able to view messages and files that the channel provides.

Create a channel from your desktop

In Slack, you can create public, private, shared, and multi-workspace channels.

1. Navigate to the top of the left-navigation panel and click the Plus icon next to the word Channels.
   The Create a Channel form displays.
2. Fill in the form and click Create.
   The left-nav panel displays your new channel.

Invite people to a channel from your desktop

1. In Slack, select the Slack channel that you want to add a user to.
2. Click the Channel Settings (gear) icon at the top of the Slack window.
3. Click Add People to Channel.
   A window displays alerting you that the new user can see
4. the channel's history.
   (If that is okay) Click Continue.
   The Add People to channel-name window displays.
5. Enter the team member's name and click Add. (To add multiple people, click the Plus sign next to their name first.)

Attach and share files

At times, you might want to add files to channels or share with team members.You can add up to 10 files at a time.

1. In Slack, select the user (it could be yourself) or channel that you want to share the file with.
2. In the text field, click the Paper Clip icon.
   The Add a File From window displays.
3. Select from where you will pull your file and follow the prompts to attach the file.
   The Upload a File form displays.
4. Fill in the form and click Upload.
   Your file is uploaded.

Alternatively, you can drag and drop the file onto the Slack window.

Join a Slack workspace

You can join as many workspaces as you'd like. You'll just need to create a Slack account for each workspace, using your email address.

You can join an existing Slack workspace in three ways:

• Accept an email invite sent by someone in the workspace,
• Join your company's workspace automatically using your work email address, or
• Find workspaces you're eligible to join by looking up your email address.

Read Slack messages

In Slack, if a channel name is bolded, there is activity in that channel that you haven't yet viewed. Click or tap the bolded channel to view unread messages: when you do this, Slack marks the channel as read (you can change this preference).

NOTE: In the mobile apps, your main view will be of the channel that you're already in. In the desktop view, channels are visible in the left-navigation panel.