Master Slack: Pro Tips for Decluttering, Formatting, and Customization

Whether you're new to Slack or a long-time user, these expert tips on customization, organization, and formatting will help you streamline your workflow and maximize the platform's potential. As seasoned Slack administrators and power users, we've refined these strategies across teams of all sizes.

Declutter Your Slack Workspace

Busy Slack workspaces can quickly become overwhelming. Simple tweaks to settings make it far more manageable.

Remove Link Previews

Here are four effective ways to eliminate link previews in Slack:

• Manually delete them by hovering over the preview and clicking the gray X.
• Disable previews workspace-wide for your view: Go to Preferences > Messages & Media > Media & Online Links. Turn off Show images and files from linked websites and Show text previews of linked websites. This affects only your experience.
• Paste links with an angle bracket (>) directly before them to prevent previews.
• Admins: Disable previews for specific domains by clicking the gray X in a preview and selecting to block future attachments from that site.

Note: Slack doesn't support hyperlinking text yet, which would further reduce clutter.

Centralize Unread Messages

Tracking unread messages across channels is easier in one spot.

Enable via Preferences > Sidebar > Show #all-unreads.

This adds an "All unreads" section below your profile in the sidebar.

You'll also see Highlights—Slack's curated most relevant messages based on your interactions with people, channels, files, and apps. View up to 10 in the All unreads tab or within channels.

Clean Up Your Slack Sidebar

The sidebar is your navigation hub. Customize it for less clutter and quick access to priorities.

Go to Preferences > Sidebar to choose display options and order:

Show:

• All: All channels and recent DMs, read or unread.
• Unread and starred conversations: Channels, starred items, and DMs with unread messages.
• Only unread: Channels and DMs with unread messages only.

For noisy channels, mute them: Open channel > Settings > Mute [#channel].

Pin or Star Important Info

Track key messages easily by starring or pinning.

Star for personal use: Hover over message > click star icon.

View starred: Click star icon in top-right of any channel or DM.

Pin for team access: Hover > More actions > Pin to [#channel] or Pin to this conversation.

Note: Access pins via the pin icon at the top of the screen.

Master Formatting in Slack

Enhance communication with basic and advanced formatting for clarity and emphasis.

Basic Text Formatting

Slack supports intuitive markdown-style formatting:

• Bold: *This text is bold*
• Italic: _This text is italic_
• Strikethrough: ~This text is strikethrough~
• Bullets/Lists: Use Option-8 (Mac) or Alt-7 (Windows) for bullets/numbers. Press Shift-Enter for new lines.
• Blockquotes: > for one paragraph, >> for two, etc.
• Code: `inline code` or ``` for blocks.

Advanced Text Formatting

Click the + left of the message field > Rich text.

This opens an editor with bold, italic, strikethrough, lists, hyperlinks, and headers.

Share to channel/DM, with optional edit permissions.

Emojis for Extra Flair

Incorporate emojis to highlight info, prioritize tasks, or add fun.

Endless creative possibilities—and you can even upload custom ones (see below).

Personalize Your Slack Experience

Tailor Slack from custom emojis to themes.

Custom Emojis

Upload team-specific emojis: Click your profile > Customize Slack.

Name with colons (:name:) using underscores for spaces.

Tips:

• Square images for best results.
• Max 128px width.
• File <64KB.
• JPG, PNG, GIF supported.

Custom Loading Messages

Replace default quotes: Profile > Customize Slack > Loading messages.

Team members see who added them.

Custom Themes

Profile > Preferences > Sidebar > Theme. Choose from 8 options, including color-blind friendly.

Organize Slack Channels

Two sorting options:

• Alphabetical: A-Z order.
• Recency: Frequent channels/DMs at top.

Separate private/public lists (may affect recency).

Get Even More from Slack

Beyond these tips, integrate with favorite apps for peak productivity. For a deep-dive strategy, check our guide: Solid Tips to Master Slack and Become the Most Effective Team Member.