Slack is a powerful tool for team communication, but it’s also a platform with its own unique culture and etiquette. One thing you’ll quickly notice when using Slack is the prevalence of GIFs. These short, looping animations are a fun and expressive way to communicate on Slack, whether you’re celebrating a success, expressing frustration, or just sharing a laugh with your coworkers. In this post, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to use GIFs in Slack.
Installing the GIPHY app
To use GIFs in Slack, you’ll first need to install the GIPHY app. Here’s how:
- Go to the GIPHY app page on the Slack App Directory.
- Click on the green “Add to Slack” button.
- Choose a workspace where you want to install the GIPHY app.
- Click on “Allow” to give the necessary permissions to the app.
Using the /giphy command
Once you’ve installed the GIPHY app, you can use the /giphy command to post a GIF in any channel or direct message. Here’s how it works:
/giphy [keyword]
Replace [keyword] with any word or phrase that describes the GIF you want to post. For example, if you want to post a GIF that expresses excitement, you might use the command /giphy excitement.
After you enter the command, Slack will display a preview of a GIF from GIPHY that matches your keyword. If you’re happy with the GIF, you can click on the “Send” button to post it. If you want to try a different GIF, just click on the “Shuffle” button to see another option.
Setting the GIPHY rating
By default, the GIPHY app only returns GIFs that are suitable for all audiences. However, you can change this setting if you want to see more mature content. Here’s how:
- Go to the GIPHY app settings in your Slack workspace.
- Click on the “Settings” tab.
- Under “Content Rating,” choose the rating that you want.
Conclusion
Using GIFs in Slack is a great way to add a touch of fun and personality to your team’s communication. Just remember to always use GIFs appropriately and considerately. And most importantly, have fun!