Slack HotKeys

Slack is a popular communication tool used in the workplace to enhance collaboration and streamline communication. One of the best ways to increase productivity while using Slack is by utilizing its built-in shortcut keys. These shortcuts allow users to quickly navigate through channels, messages, and other features without constantly needing to use the mouse.

Slack Windows Shortcut Keys

Navigation

Shortcut Action
Tab Move focus to the next element
Shift Tab Move focus to the previous element
Up/Down Move focus through messages in a channel or DM
F6 Move focus to the next section
Shift F6 Move focus to the previous section
Space Take action or 'click' on buttons
Enter Take action or 'click' on links
Esc Close windows, menus, or the message field
Ctrl +/- Zoom in/out
Home/PgUp Scroll up
End/PgDown Scroll down
Ctrl K Quick Switcher
Ctrl Shift K Open direct messages menu
Ctrl Shift L Browse all channels
Ctrl Shift T Open All Threads view
Alt Up Previous channel or DM
Alt Down Next channel or DM
Alt Shift Up Previous unread channel or DM
Alt Shift Down Next unread channel or DM
Alt Left Previous channel or DM visited
Alt Right Next channel or DM visited
Ctrl , Preferences (desktop apps only)
Ctrl . Open or close right pane
Ctrl Shift I Channel info pane
Ctrl Shift M Activity
Ctrl Shift E Directory
Ctrl Shift S Starred Items
Ctrl F Search the current channel or conversation
Ctrl G Open previous search
Ctrl Shift F Toggle full screen view

All Unreads navigation

Shortcut Action
Ctrl Shift A Open All Unreads view
Alt (click a message) Mark message as unread
Left/Right Move between channels
R Toggle current channel read or unread

Switch workspaces

Shortcut Action
Ctrl Shift Tab Switch to previous workspace
Ctrl Tab Switch to next workspace
Ctrl [number] Switch to a specific workspace

Mark messages read or unread

Shortcut Action
Esc Mark all messages in current channel or DM as read
Shift Esc Mark all messages as read
Alt (click a message) Set a message as your oldest unread message

Message shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Up Edit your last message
Shift Up Select text to beginning of current line
Shift Down Select text to end of current line
Shift Enter Create a new line in your message
Ctrl Shift \ Add emoji reactions to a message
Ctrl B Bold selected text
Ctrl I Italicize selected text
Ctrl Shift X Strikethrough selected text
Ctrl Shift > Quote selected text
Ctrl Shift C Codeblock selected text
Ctrl Shift 7 Turn selected text into a numbered list
Ctrl Shift 8 Turn selected text into a bulleted list
Ctrl Shift Y Set or edit your status

Message autocomplete

Shortcut Action
[character] Tab Autocomplete @display name beginning with [character]
#[character] Tab Autocomplete channel beginning with [character]
:[character] Tab Autocomplete emoji beginning with [character]

File and snippets

Shortcut Action
Ctrl U Upload a file
Ctrl Shift Enter Create a new snippet

Call actions

Shortcut Action
M Toggle mute on and off
V Toggle video on and off
+/A Show the invite list
E 1-9 View and select emoji reactions

Slack MacOS Shortcut Keys

Navigation Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+K Jump to a conversation or channel
Cmd+T Open the 'Jump to' search bar
Cmd+Shift+M Open Direct Messages
Cmd+Shift+C Open the channel browser
Cmd+1, Cmd+2, Cmd+3, ... Switch between channels (use respective number)
Cmd+Shift+A Open the Slack sidebar
Cmd+Shift+F Open the channel or conversation search
Cmd+Left Arrow Go to the beginning of the conversation
Cmd+Right Arrow Go to the end of the conversation
Cmd+Up Arrow Scroll up in the conversation
Cmd+Down Arrow Scroll down in the conversation
Cmd+Shift+T Open recent conversations
Cmd+[ Navigate to the previous channel or conversation
Cmd+] Navigate to the next channel or conversation

Message Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Enter Send a message
Cmd+Shift+Enter Create a new line without sending
Cmd+E Edit the last message
Cmd+Z Undo the last action
Cmd+Shift+Z Redo the last undone action
Cmd+Shift+S Save the current message
Cmd+Shift+R Mark the current message as unread
Cmd+Shift+X Remove the formatting from the current message
Cmd+Shift+V Paste and match the formatting
Cmd+B Bold text in a message
Cmd+I Italicize text in a message
Cmd+U Underline text in a message
Cmd+Shift+9 Open emoji picker to add reactions
Cmd+/ Show Slack keyboard shortcuts in a pop-up window

Channel Management Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Shift+U Mark all messages in a channel as unread
Cmd+Shift+Y Mute or unmute a channel
Cmd+Shift+M Mute or unmute the current conversation
Cmd+Shift+N Open the notification settings
Cmd+Shift+L Leave the current channel
Cmd+J Join a new channel
Cmd+Shift+P Toggle pinned items
Cmd+Shift+F Toggle the file section in the sidebar

Search Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+F Open the search bar
Cmd+Shift+F Search within a specific channel or conversation
Cmd+Shift+S Open saved messages and items
Cmd+Shift+A Open advanced search options

File and Link Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Shift+I Open the file browser
Cmd+Shift+L Attach a file to a message
Cmd+Shift+H Upload a file from your computer

Miscellaneous Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Shift+P Open preferences
Cmd+Shift+X Open the Apps section
Cmd+Shift+Z Redo the action
Cmd+Shift+Q Sign out of Slack
Cmd+Shift+V Open the version history (if applicable)
Cmd+Option+Up Arrow Expand the message thread
Cmd+Option+Down Arrow Collapse the message thread
Cmd+R Refresh Slack
Cmd+Option+I Open Developer Tools (for advanced users)
Cmd+Option+Esc Force quit Slack (use with caution)
Cmd+Shift+M Open your notifications
Cmd+Shift+B Toggle the sidebar
Cmd+Shift+L Toggle the right sidebar
Cmd+Option+S Open Slack status settings

Navigation & Window Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Option+1 Switch to the first Slack window
Cmd+Option+2 Switch to the second Slack window
Cmd+Option+3 Switch to the third Slack window
Cmd+Option+4 Switch to the fourth Slack window
Cmd+Option+5 Switch to the fifth Slack window
Cmd+Option+6 Switch to the sixth Slack window
Cmd+Option+W Close the current Slack window

Formatting Shortcuts

Shortcut Description
Cmd+Shift+9 Add a reaction to a message
Cmd+Shift+8 Strikethrough the selected text
Cmd+Shift+E Format the selected text as code
Cmd+Shift+C Format the selected text as a code block
Cmd+Shift+T Add a link to the selected text

About Slack

Slack is a collaboration software that connects teams through messaging, file sharing, and integrated tools. It's widely used for its simple interface and robust features, including channel-based conversations, direct messaging, and powerful search functionality. Teams can also integrate various apps to customize Slack for their specific needs.

Slack Official Information

Slack Shortcut Key Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I see all available Slack shortcut keys?
    You can view all available shortcut keys by visiting the Slack help page or by pressing Ctrl+/ (Windows) or Cmd+/ (MacOS).

  2. Are there any shortcuts for formatting messages?
    Yes, you can use Ctrl+B (Windows) or Cmd+B (MacOS) for bold, Ctrl+I (Windows) or Cmd+I (MacOS) for italics, and Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+X (MacOS) for strikethrough.

  3. How do I mute or unmute a Slack channel?
    Use Ctrl+Shift+Y (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Y (MacOS) to mute or unmute a channel.

  4. Is there a shortcut to jump between channels?
    Yes, use Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2, etc., (Windows) or Cmd+1, Cmd+2, etc., (MacOS) to switch between channels.

  5. How do I create a new message?
    Simply press Ctrl+Enter (Windows) or Cmd+Enter (MacOS) to send a new message.

  6. How do I edit my last message?
    Press Ctrl+E (Windows) or Cmd+E (MacOS) to edit your last message.

  7. Can I search within specific channels?
    Yes, use Ctrl+Shift+F (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+F (MacOS) to search within a particular channel.

  8. What is the shortcut to open Slack preferences?
    Use Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (MacOS) to open the preferences menu.

  9. How can I go to a specific conversation or channel?
    Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or Cmd+K (MacOS) to quickly jump to any conversation or channel.

Conclusion

Mastering Slack shortcut keys is a great way to boost your productivity while using the platform. Whether you're managing messages, navigating channels, or customizing preferences, there’s a shortcut for almost every task. By using these shortcuts, you can navigate Slack more efficiently and keep your focus on what matters most: communication and collaboration.

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