Slack Icons and Symbols: Complete Guide
Slack icons and symbols are the visual shorthand that tells you what a conversation is about, who is active, and what actions you can take. This guide explains the most common Slack icons, their meanings, and how to use them effectively.
Core Channel and Conversation Icons
Slack uses a set of core icons to distinguish between different types of conversations. The # symbol indicates a public channel, while a lock icon denotes a private channel. A paper plane icon represents a direct message (DM), and a person with a plus icon shows a group DM. These icons appear next to the conversation name in your sidebar.
When a channel is shared with another workspace, you’ll see a two-person icon next to the channel name. A channel that has been archived shows a box with a down arrow icon, and it is typically grayed out. Understanding these basic icons helps you navigate your Slack workspace quickly.
Status and Presence Indicators
Slack uses colored dots and icons to show a user’s presence. A green dot means the user is active, a gray dot means they are away, and a red dot indicates they are in a call. If a user has set a custom status, you’ll see a small emoji next to their name instead of the standard dot. Hovering over any presence icon shows the exact status text and when it was last updated.
In addition to presence, Slack uses a crescent moon icon to indicate that a user has set their status to “Do Not Disturb.� This means they will not receive notifications until the status ends. A headphones icon appears when someone is in a huddle, and a camera icon indicates they are on a video call.
Message Action Icons
When you hover over a message, a set of action icons appears. The smiley face icon opens the emoji reactions menu. The speech bubble icon starts a thread. The pencil icon lets you edit your own message. The ellipsis (…) icon opens a menu with more actions, such as copy link, pin, or delete.
For files and links, you’ll often see a download icon, a star icon to save the item, and a bookmark icon to add it to your saved items. The bell icon on a channel or message lets you customize notifications. A pushpin icon indicates that a message is pinned to the channel, and a bookmark icon shows a saved link.
Sidebar and Navigation Icons
The left sidebar contains icons for navigation. The home icon takes you to your home view, where you can search and see recent conversations. The activity icon (a bell) shows your notifications and mentions. The direct messages icon (a paper plane) lists your DMs. The more icon (three dots) expands the sidebar to show all channels and people.
At the bottom of the sidebar, you’ll see icons for your profile (your avatar), settings (a gear), and help (a question mark). A lightning bolt icon opens the Slack shortcuts menu, and a search icon (a magnifying glass) allows you to search across the workspace.
File and Integration Icons
Slack uses icons to indicate the type of file shared in a conversation. A document icon represents a text file, a spreadsheet icon for Excel or CSV, a presentation icon for slides, and a PDF icon for PDFs. Images show a picture icon, and videos show a play button. When a file is from an integrated app like Google Drive, you’ll see the app’s logo.
Apps that you install add their own icons to the sidebar and message menus. For example, a calendar icon for scheduling, a chart icon for analytics, or a cloud icon for file storage. These icons are designed to be intuitive, but you can always hover over any icon to see a tooltip with its name.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Many users wonder why they see a gray dot next to a user who is actually online. This can happen if the user has set their status to “Away� manually, or if they have been inactive for a few minutes. Slack does not show a green dot if the user has set a custom status that includes an emoji—the emoji replaces the dot.
Another common issue is confusing the thread icon (speech bubble) with the reply icon. The thread icon starts a new thread, while the reply icon (a curved arrow) sends a message to the channel. If you don’t see the action icons, it may be because you are on a mobile device (tap the message to reveal them) or because your workspace has disabled hover actions.
How to Customize Icons and Symbols
You can customize some icons in Slack to suit your preferences. For channels, you can change the icon to an emoji by clicking the channel name, selecting “Edit,� and then choosing an emoji. This replaces the default # or lock icon with your chosen emoji. For your own profile, you can upload a custom photo or choose an emoji as your avatar.
To change your status, click your profile picture, then “Set status.� You can pick an emoji and text, and set a duration. This status will appear next to your name in the sidebar and in messages. You can also customize notification sounds and the color of the sidebar, but the core icons themselves are fixed by Slack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the green dot mean in Slack?
The green dot indicates that a user is currently active in Slack. It means they have Slack open and are likely to respond quickly. If the dot is gray, the user is away or has been inactive for a few minutes.
How do I change a channel icon to an emoji?
Click on the channel name in the header, then select “Edit.� In the popup, click on the current icon (the # or lock) and choose an emoji from the picker. Save your changes, and the new emoji will appear next to the channel name.
Why don’t I see the hover action icons on messages?
On mobile devices, you need to tap the message to see the action icons. On desktop, if you don’t see them, try moving your mouse directly over the message. If they still don’t appear, check your Slack version or workspace settings—some administrators disable hover actions.
What is the difference between a thread and a reply?
A thread is a separate conversation attached to a specific message, indicated by a speech bubble icon. A reply is a direct response in the channel, shown with a curved arrow icon. Threads keep discussions organized, while replies are visible to everyone in the channel.
How do I know if a channel is private or public?
Public channels have a # icon next to the name, while private channels have a lock icon. If you’re not sure, click the channel name—private channels will say “Private� in the header. Also, private channels are not visible to users who haven’t been invited.
Can I turn off the presence indicators?
Slack does not allow you to hide your own presence dot from others, but you can set your status to “Away� manually, which shows a gray dot. To stop seeing others’ presence, you can collapse the sidebar, but there is no setting to disable presence entirely.
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