Use emoji and reactions

Emoji are a spin on common emoticons. In Slack, emoji are both fun and helpful for getting work done — use them to enhance your messages or react to someone else’s.

Tip: Learn how to add your own custom emoji to your workspace or how to manage your emoji preferences.

Add emoji to your messages

You can add emoji to your messages in two ways: by typing the emoji code or selecting an emoji from the menu.

Type the emoji code

On any device, type a standard emoji code in the message field, using a : colon followed by the code or emoji alias. If you don't know the exact emoji code, it's okay. You can search for a word and scroll emoji to select the one you're looking for. 

Select an emoji from the menu

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. Click the  smiley face icon in the message field to open the menu.
2. Use the icons at the top of the menu to browse categories, or search for an emoji code.
3. Click an emoji to add it to your message.

1. Tap the message field to open your keyboard.
2. Tap the   emoji button or the   globe button on the keyboard.
3. Tap an emoji to add it to your message.

Note: The steps above give you access to iOS emoji. To use Slack emoji, type the emoji code in the message field.

1. Tap the  smiley face icon in the message field to open the menu.
2. Tap an emoji to add it to your message.

React to a message with emoji

An emoji reaction can often replace the need for a follow-up message. You can hover over or tap and hold reactions in a conversation to see who added them.

Add a reaction

Desktop

iOS

Android

1. Hover over the message you’d like to add a reaction to.
2. Click the  Add reaction icon and select an option.

1. Tap and hold the message you'd like to add a reaction to.
2. Choose a frequently used reaction at the top of the menu, or tap the
     Add reaction icon to find another one.

1. Tap and hold the message you'd like to add a reaction to.
2. Choose a frequently used reaction at the top of the menu, or tap the
     Add reaction icon to find another one.

Any reactions you add to messages will be highlighted in blue. Simply click or tap the reaction to remove it from the message.

How it works

Tip: To see all of the reactions people have added to your messages, click
 Mentions & reactions at the top of your left sidebar or tap the
 Mentions tab at the bottom of the Slack app on your mobile device.

Create an emoji alias

Emoji aliases let you add your own emoji codes to Slack. If you ever have trouble remembering certain emoji codes, adding an alias can make it easier to find and use these emoji in Slack.

1. From your desktop, click your workspace name in the top left.
   
2. Select Customize [workspace name]. If you're an owner or admin, you'll need to click Settings & administration first.
3. Select Add Alias, then click Choose Emoji.
4. Choose an emoji from the drop-down menu.
5. Under Enter an alias, enter the new code you'd like to use.
6. Select Save.

Note: Workspace Owners and Workspace Admins can restrict permissions for managing emoji and creating emoji aliases. If you don’t have this permission, find an owner or admin to ask for help.