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Slack Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full Cheatsheet

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Slack Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full Cheatsheet

This cheatsheet lists the most useful Slack keyboard shortcuts for desktop, web, and mobile, covering navigation, messaging, calls, and search. You’ll find the exact key combinations for Windows, Mac, and Linux, plus tips on how to customize and remember them.

Why Keyboard Shortcuts Matter in Slack

Slack is a busy workspace. Switching between channels, DMs, and threads with a mouse eats time and breaks focus. Keyboard shortcuts let you jump anywhere, mark messages read, or start a call without leaving the keyboard. For heavy users, this can save several minutes a day and reduce repetitive strain from constant clicking.

Slack has built-in shortcuts for almost every common action. They work in the desktop app and the web version, with a few differences on mobile. The list below reflects Slack’s current stable interface (as of 2025). If a shortcut doesn’t work, check your OS and keyboard layout—some keys differ between Windows and Mac.

Essential Navigation Shortcuts

These are the ones you’ll use daily. They move you around Slack without touching the mouse.

  • Jump to a channel or DM: Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K (Mac). Type a name and press Enter.
  • Switch to the next/previous channel or DM: Alt+Down/Up (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Option+Down/Up (Mac).
  • Open the direct message menu: Ctrl+Shift+K or Cmd+Shift+K.
  • Open the channel browser: Ctrl+Shift+L or Cmd+Shift+L.
  • Go to unread messages: Ctrl+Shift+Down or Cmd+Shift+Down. Press again to move to the next unread.
  • Open the activity (mentions and reactions) view: Ctrl+Shift+M or Cmd+Shift+M.
  • Show all threads: Ctrl+Shift+T or Cmd+Shift+T.

If you’re in a large workspace, Ctrl+K is the single most important shortcut. It replaces scrolling through the sidebar.

Messaging and Editing Shortcuts

These shortcuts speed up writing and formatting messages.

  • New message: Ctrl+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+N (Mac).
  • Mark the current message as unread: Alt+Click on the message (or Cmd+Option+Click on Mac).
  • Edit your last message: Up arrow when the message input is empty.
  • Add a line break: Shift+Enter (instead of sending).
  • Send a message: Enter (or Cmd+Enter if you’ve changed the setting to use Shift+Enter to send).
  • Bold, italic, strikethrough: Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I, Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+B, Cmd+I, Cmd+Shift+X (Mac).
  • Create a code block: Ctrl+Shift+C or Cmd+Shift+C.

To mention someone, type @ and start typing their name. To reference a channel, type #. These are not shortcuts but they work with the keyboard alone.

Search, Calls, and File Shortcuts

Search is a core Slack feature. These shortcuts get you there fast.

  • Search Slack: Ctrl+F (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+F (Mac). This searches the current view, not just the channel.
  • Search within a channel: Ctrl+G or Cmd+G.
  • Start a call (audio or video): Ctrl+Shift+C (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+C (Mac). Note: This conflicts with “create code blockâ€� in some versions—check your Slack version.
  • Toggle mute/unmute during a call: M (when in a call).
  • Toggle video on/off during a call: V (when in a call).
  • Upload a file: Ctrl+U or Cmd+U.
  • Open your file list: Ctrl+Shift+F or Cmd+Shift+F.

Be careful: Ctrl+Shift+C may be “create code block� on some systems, while on others it starts a call. Test it in your own Slack to avoid surprises.

Customizing and Discovering Shortcuts

Slack lets you view the full list of shortcuts at any time. Press Ctrl+/ (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+/ (Mac) to open the shortcut reference window. You can also click your profile picture, select Preferences > Advanced, and look for the “Keyboard shortcuts� section.

You cannot remap Slack’s built-in shortcuts directly. However, you can change the “Enter to send� behavior: go to Preferences > Messages & media and toggle “Enter to send� on or off. If you turn it off, you’ll use Shift+Enter to send and Enter for a new line—this is a common customization.

For advanced users, third-party tools like AutoHotkey (Windows) or Karabiner (Mac) can remap keys at the OS level, but that’s outside Slack’s own settings.

Common Problems and Fixes

Shortcuts sometimes stop working. Here are the usual causes and solutions:

  • Shortcut conflicts with the OS or browser: For example, Ctrl+F is “findâ€� in most browsers. In Slack’s desktop app it works, but in the web version it may open the browser’s find bar. Use the desktop app for full shortcut support.
  • Keyboard layout differences: On non-US layouts, keys like / or K may be in different positions. Check your layout and use the on-screen shortcut viewer.
  • Slack version is outdated: Some shortcuts are added or changed. Update Slack from the app menu or your system’s app store.
  • Focus is in the message input: Many shortcuts only work when the input is not focused. Press Esc to clear focus, then try again.
  • Mac vs. Windows confusion: If you’re using a Mac with a Windows keyboard, Cmd is the Windows key and Option is Alt. Adjust accordingly.

If a shortcut still fails, restart Slack. That resolves most temporary glitches.

Mobile and Web Version Differences

Slack’s mobile apps (iOS and Android) don’t have a full keyboard shortcut set because they rely on touch. However, if you connect a physical keyboard to a tablet, some shortcuts work, like Ctrl+K for quick switcher. The web version (app.slack.com) supports most desktop shortcuts, but browser extensions can interfere. For the most reliable experience, use the desktop app.

On the web version, Ctrl+/ still opens the shortcut list. But note that some shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+C may be captured by the browser (e.g., to open developer tools in Chrome). In that case, use the desktop app or change your browser’s shortcut settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I see all Slack shortcuts?

Press Ctrl+/ (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+/ (Mac) anywhere in Slack. A window pops up with the full list, grouped by category. You can also go to Preferences > Advanced and click “Keyboard shortcuts� to see the same list.

Can I change Slack shortcuts to something else?

No, Slack doesn’t allow remapping its built-in shortcuts. You can only change the “Enter to send� behavior. For other changes, you’d need OS-level remapping tools like AutoHotkey or Karabiner, which can be complex.

Why doesn’t Ctrl+F search messages in Slack?

In the desktop app, Ctrl+F searches the current view (channel or DM). In the web browser, it might trigger the browser’s find function instead. Use the desktop app, or press Ctrl+Shift+F to search files, and Ctrl+G to search within a channel.

What is the shortcut to jump to a specific channel?

Press Ctrl+K (or Cmd+K on Mac), type the channel name, and press Enter. This works for channels, DMs, and even group DMs. It’s the fastest way to navigate.

How do I mark a message as unread?

Hover over the message, press Alt (Windows/Linux) or Option (Mac), and click the message. Or use the keyboard: select the message with the arrow keys, then press Alt+Click (or Cmd+Option+Click on Mac). There’s no pure-keyboard shortcut for this.

Do Slack shortcuts work on the mobile app?

Only if you have a physical keyboard connected. On a phone, you can swipe and tap, but there’s no full shortcut set. For heavy keyboard use, stick to the desktop app.

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