Box for Slack

Box is a file sharing and document management application for businesses. With the Box apps for Slack, you can easily share files you’ve uploaded to Box in your Slack workspace. To use the Box apps for Slack, you need to have a paid Box account.

Box apps for Slack

There are two Box apps for Slack — Box for Slack and Box File Picker. For the best experience, we recommend installing both apps and using them together. Read on to see what each app offers: 

Box for Slack

• Files shared in Slack will reflect updates made in Box in real time
• View detailed file previews in Slack
• Update file permissions from Slack
• Search and view files using slash commands

Box File Picker 

• Add Box files to Slack channels and direct messages (DMs) by clicking the  paper clip icon

Enable the Slack app in Box

Any Box Admin can enable the Slack app in Box and configure security settings from the Box Admin Console. We recommend configuring settings in Box before adding the Box app to your Slack workspace and making it available to members. 

1. Sign in to your Box account and open the Box Admin Console.
2. From the left sidebar, click Apps.
3. Below Individual Application Controls, scroll to Box for Slack.
4. Next to Box for Slack, open the drop-down menu and select Available.

Configure Admin settings in Box

For added security, Box Admins can manage settings in the Box Admin Console to control how Box files are accessed and stored:

• Display file thumbnail previews in Slack
• Decide whether Box files are indexed in Slack search results
• Allow members to grant permission to Box files and folders from Slack
• Approve workspaces or Enterprise Grid orgs where Box files can be shared

Manage Box settings for Slack

To manage these features, follow the steps below: 

1. Sign in to Box and open the Box Admin Console.
2. From the left sidebar, click Apps.
3. Below Individual Application Controls, scroll to Box for Slack.
4. Next to Box for Slack, click Configure.
5. Find the setting you’d like to manage, then toggle it on or off.
6. Click Save.

Approve a workspace or Enterprise Grid org

Box Admins can approve a workspace name or org ID to limit Box file sharing to certain workspaces or orgs.

1. Sign in to Box and open the Box Admin Console.
2. From the left sidebar, click Apps.
3. Below Individual Application Controls, scroll to Box for Slack.
4. Next to Box for Slack, click Configure.
5. Below Enable for specific Slack Enterprise Grid Org ID or Enable for specific Slack Workspaces, enter your org ID or workspace name.
6. Click Save. 

Tip: If you're on the Enterprise Grid plan and don't know your org ID, ask your Slack Customer Success Manager.

Install the Box apps for Slack

Any member of a Slack workspace with permission to install apps can add the Box apps to Slack.

1. From your desktop, click  Apps at the top of your left sidebar. If you don't see this option, click  More to find it.
2. Search for Box or Box File Picker.
3. From the app page in the App Directory, click Add to Slack.
4. Follow the prompts to sign in to Box and authenticate with Slack.
5. Click Grant access to Box.

If either Box app is already installed to your workspace, you’ll see the option to Open in Slack rather than Add to Slack.

Tip: To share Box files in a channel or DM from the paper clip icon, make sure to install Box File Picker.

Add Box files in Slack

There are two ways to share files from Box in Slack. Members can paste a Box link into the message field in a channel or DM, or add Box files by clicking the  paper clip icon.

Paste a link

1. Paste a link to a Box file into the message field in a Slack channel or DM. 
2. Send your message to share the file. 

Add a Box file from Slack

If you’ve installed the Box File Picker app, you can select one or more Box files at a time to add to Slack:

1. Click the  paper clip icon to the right of the message field in a conversation.
2. Below Add a file from…, select Box.
3. Check the box next to any files you want to share.
4. Click the check mark button to share the files.