How to Create a Slack Channel

Tap each step to follow along in order.

  1. Click "Add channel" in the left sidebar

    Click the "+" icon or "Add channel" in the left sidebar.

  2. Choose a channel name

    Enter a name that reflects the topic or team the channel is for.

  3. Set it to public or private

    Decide whether to open the channel to the whole workspace or make it private, visible only to specific members.

  4. Invite members

    After creating the channel, invite the relevant teammates to start the conversation.

  5. Why this is useful

    Instead of every conversation piling into one chat, splitting channels by project or topic makes it much easier to find and focus on the discussion you're looking for.

Stop letting every conversation pile into one chat

When all work conversations mix together in a single chat, it becomes hard to find the information you need. Splitting things into channels by project or topic makes finding a specific conversation much faster.

There are naming rules to keep in mind

Channel names can only use lowercase letters, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces and special characters get automatically converted or restricted, so it's worth picking a clean name up front.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch a private channel to public later?

Yes, you can change the visibility in the channel settings, but keep in mind that once you make it public, you cannot switch it back to private.

Are there rules for channel names?

Only lowercase letters, hyphens, and underscores are allowed; spaces or special characters are automatically converted or restricted.