Slack Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete List for Windows, Mac & Linux (2026)

Slack is used by over 38 million people every day and most of them are still reaching for the mouse for actions that take a keyboard shortcut under one second. Learning Slack keyboard shortcuts is one of the fastest, zero-cost ways to cut friction out of your workday.

What are Slack keyboard shortcuts?

Slack keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that perform actions in Slack without using a mouse. They work on the Slack desktop app for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and in any web browser. Common actions include switching channels, formatting messages, searching, managing calls, and navigating threads all without lifting your hands from the keyboard.

To see every shortcut directly inside Slack, press Ctrl+/ on Windows or ⌘+/ on Mac at any time. The complete list below covers all 100+ shortcuts across navigation, messaging, formatting, calls, Huddles, and file management for both Windows and Mac plus a downloadable PDF cheat sheet.

10 most useful Slack shortcuts to learn first

If you only learn ten Slack shortcuts, make it these. They cover the actions you repeat dozens of times every day.

For the full list, keep reading or download the Slack shortcuts PDF to keep all shortcuts handy.

Slack basics shortcuts

These shortcuts control core Slack actions composing messages, opening preferences, searching, managing the interface, and working with Huddles.

Message formatting shortcuts

Use these shortcuts to format text while typing a message in Slack. Select the text first, then apply the shortcut or use the shortcut before typing to toggle formatting on.

Tip: You can also type formatting directly without shortcuts. Wrap text in asterisks for bold, underscores for italic, and use three backticks (“`) before and after a block for a code block.

Focused message shortcuts

These single-key shortcuts work when a message is in focus. To focus on a message, press F6 to move focus to the message list, then use ↑ and ↓ to select a message. Once focused, press the shortcuts below no modifier key needed.

Note: These single-key shortcuts only work in the Slack desktop app, and only when a message is in focus. They do not work while you are typing in the message input field.

Call and Huddle shortcuts

Slack Huddles are lightweight audio and video calls you can start directly from any channel or DM. These shortcuts control both standard Slack calls and Huddles.

Huddle shortcuts

Slack call shortcuts (during an active call)

These single-key shortcuts work while you are in an active Slack call.

Slack slash commands list

Slack slash commands are a different type of shortcut from keyboard shortcuts. Instead of pressing key combinations, you type a forward slash (/) directly into the message composer to trigger an action. They work on desktop, web, and mobile.

To use a slash command, click into any message input box and type / Slack will show a menu of available commands as you type.

To see every available slash command in your workspace, type / in any message box and scroll through the full list that appears.

Do Slack keyboard shortcuts work on mobile?

No. Slack keyboard shortcuts are only available on the desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux) and in a web browser. The Slack mobile app on iOS and Android does not support keyboard shortcuts.

On mobile, Slack uses touch gestures instead:

• Swipe left on a message to mark it as unread
• Long press on a message to open the message actions menu (react, reply, pin, etc.)
• Swipe right on a notification to reply directly

If you connect a Bluetooth keyboard to an iPad or Android tablet, some shortcuts such as Ctrl + / may work inside the Slack browser version. However, the full desktop shortcut set is not supported on mobile devices.

Slack keyboard shortcuts vs Microsoft Teams shortcuts

Both Slack and Microsoft Teams support keyboard shortcuts for navigation, messaging, and calls but the key combinations differ significantly. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the most common equivalent shortcuts.

Key difference: Slack’s Quick Switcher (Ctrl + K) is faster and more powerful than Teams’ search bar (Ctrl + E) it searches channels, DMs, and workspaces simultaneously. Teams requires more modifier keys for call controls, while Slack uses single-key shortcuts during active calls.

Read More: Best Slack Alternatives & Competitors

How to use Slack keyboard shortcuts

Follow these steps to start using Slack keyboard shortcuts effectively from day one.

1. Open the Slack desktop app on Windows, Mac, or Linux. Keyboard shortcuts are not available on the Slack mobile app.
2. Press Ctrl + / (Windows) or ⌘ + / (Mac) to open the built-in shortcuts panel. This shows every available shortcut grouped by category.
3. Start with the Quick Switcher press Ctrl + K (Windows) or ⌘ + K (Mac) to jump to any channel or DM by typing its name. This is the single most time-saving shortcut in Slack.
4. Learn three shortcuts per week. Rather than memorising all shortcuts at once, pick three that match your most frequent actions channel navigation, marking messages read, and editing your last message are good starting points.
5. Adjust your keyboard layout if shortcuts don’t work. Go to your profile picture → Preferences → Language & Region → Keyboard Layout. Changing the layout updates which key combinations Slack recognises for your keyboard.

How to view all Slack keyboard shortcuts

1. Open the Slack desktop app (Windows, Mac, or Linux).
2. Press Ctrl + / on Windows or ⌘ + / on Mac.
3. The shortcuts panel opens on the right side of the screen.
4. Use the search box inside the panel to filter shortcuts by keyword.
5. Press Esc or click anywhere outside the panel to close it.

Frequently asked questions about Slack shortcuts

What is the shortcut to see all Slack keyboard shortcuts?

Press Ctrl + / on Windows or Linux, or ⌘ + / on Mac, to open the full Slack keyboard shortcuts panel from the desktop app. This opens a searchable overlay showing every available shortcut grouped by category. Note: This shortcut only works in the Slack desktop app it is not available in the Slack mobile app.

How do I undo in Slack?

Press Ctrl + Z on Windows or ⌘ + Z on Mac to undo your last action in Slack’s message composer. This works for undoing typed text, formatting changes, and paste actions within the message input field. Note: Undo does not unsend a message that has already been sent to fix a sent message, use the Up Arrow key to edit it instead.

How do I edit my last message in Slack?

Press the ↑ (Up Arrow) key while the message input field is empty to instantly open your most recently sent message for editing. Make your changes and press Enter to save, or press Esc to cancel without saving. This shortcut works on both Windows and Mac and is one of the most useful Slack shortcuts for fixing typos quickly.

Do Slack keyboard shortcuts work on mobile?

No. Slack keyboard shortcuts are only available on the desktop app (Windows, Mac, Linux) and in a web browser. The Slack mobile app on iOS and Android does not support keyboard shortcuts. On mobile, Slack uses touch gestures instead for example, swipe left on a message to mark it as unread. If you connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your phone or tablet, some basic shortcuts like Ctrl + / may work in the browser version.

What are Slack slash commands?

Slack slash commands are text-based shortcuts you type directly into the message composer starting with a forward slash (/) to perform actions without using a mouse or menu. For example, type /remind me to send the report at 3pm to set a reminder, or /status to update your status. Slash commands are different from keyboard shortcuts: they are typed commands, not key combinations. Common built-in slash commands include /away, /dnd, /call, /shrug, and /giphy.

How do I mark all messages as read in Slack?

Press Shift + Esc to mark all messages as read across your entire Slack workspace in one keystroke. To mark only the messages in your current channel as read, press Esc alone. Both shortcuts work on Windows and Mac without any key substitution needed.

What is the Slack Quick Switcher shortcut?

The Slack Quick Switcher is opened with Ctrl + K on Windows or ⌘ + K on Mac. It is a search-as-you-type tool that lets you jump to any channel, direct message, or workspace by typing part of the name without scrolling through the sidebar. It is widely considered the single most time-saving Slack shortcut because it eliminates mouse navigation entirely for channel switching.

Can I create custom keyboard shortcuts in Slack?

No. As of 2026, Slack does not allow users to create or customise keyboard shortcuts at the application level. The keyboard shortcuts built into Slack are fixed and cannot be remapped. However, developers can create custom slash commands and workflow shortcuts through the Slack API and Workflow Builder these are typed commands, not keyboard key combinations. Some operating systems (macOS in particular) allow you to remap keys system-wide, which can indirectly affect Slack shortcuts.

Final thoughts

Learning Slack keyboard shortcuts is one of the few productivity improvements that costs nothing, takes minutes to start, and pays off every single day. You don’t need to memorise all 100+ shortcuts at once start with the Quick Switcher (Ctrl + K on Windows, ⌘ + K on Mac), learn three more each week, and within a month you will navigate Slack entirely from the keyboard.

READ NEXT:

• Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts
• IntelliJ Idea Keyboard Shortcuts
• Internet Explorer Shortcut Keys
• Notepad 2 Keyboard Shortcuts