Emojis inject personality and emotion into digital conversations, turning mundane chats into engaging exchanges. As a seasoned Slack user with years of optimizing team workflows, I've uncovered Slack's robust emoji toolkit—features that surpass even popular apps like WhatsApp. Let's explore these pro tips to supercharge your Slack experience.
Ready to level up? Here we go.
If you've noticed colleagues sporting emojis beside their names, you can join them effortlessly using Slack's status feature.
Step 1: Click your profile picture in the top-left corner and select Update your status.
Step 2: In the status window, click the emoji icon and choose your favorite—it'll appear next to your name.
Note: Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Y (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Y (Mac).
Step 1: Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right and select Set a status.
Step 2: Tap the emoji icon beside the status field and pick one.
Like Facebook Messenger reactions, Slack lets you react with any emoji—not just a preset few. They're perfect for quick feedback, polls, or fun interactions, appearing neatly below messages.
On desktop, hover over a message, click Add Reaction, and select an emoji.
On mobile, long-press a message, tap Add Reaction, and choose.
Add up to 23 reactions per message. To remove yours (shown in blue), simply tap or click it again.
Slack's emoji picker is handy, but shortcuts make it faster: Type : followed by the emoji's name (at least two characters) for autocomplete suggestions.
For example, type :eye for rolling eyes options—select and send.
Note: Works on desktop and mobile; similar to WhatsApp Web.
For tricky emoji names, create custom shortcuts (aliases) you can easily remember.
Step 1: Click your workspace name (top-left) > Customize Slack.
Step 2: Click Add an alias > Browse emojis.
Step 3: Pick an emoji, enter an alias (e.g., :myfav), and save.
Note: Workspace admins may restrict this—check with them if needed.
Set a global skin tone for emojis to streamline usage—no per-emoji tweaks required.
Click the emoji icon in the message field, then the hand icon (bottom-right) to select your tone.
Pro Tip: For one-off changes, type the emoji and click to cycle tones.
Step 1: Tap three dots (top-right) > Preferences > Advanced.
Step 3: Tap Emoji skin tone deluxe and choose.
Long-press any emoji and select your skin tone.
Slack enlarges lone emojis by default (Jumbomoji). Prefer standard size?
Step 1: Workspace name > Preferences.
Step 2: Go to Messages & media.
Step 3: Uncheck Show all Jumbomoji (large emojis).
Slack auto-converts :) to 😊. Disable it: Preferences > Messages & media > Uncheck Convert my typed emoticons to emoji reactions.
Express indifference easily: Type /shrug after your message (e.g., "Not sure /shrug") to append ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Personalize your workspace: Source images from Emojipacks, Slackemoji, etc., and upload.
Step 1: Save the image.
Step 2: Click emoji icon > Custom Emoji tab > Add Custom Emoji.
Step 4: Choose File, name it (e.g., :custom1), save.
Access via Custom tab on all devices.
Emojis enhance Slack's productivity focus, easing communication and adding levity. While GIFs shine too, emojis dominate for quick, expressive chats.
