Updated June 2026 · 5 min read
Slack Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete Cheat Sheet (2026)
Shortcuts let you zip through Slack without leaving the keyboard. Whether you're jumping between channels, catching up on mentions, or sending a quick reply, mastering these shortcuts can shave minutes off every Slack session.
For the full interactive reference, see the Slack shortcuts cheat sheet.
Essential Slack Shortcuts
| Shortcut (Windows) | Shortcut (Mac) | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Ctrl+K | ⌘+K | Quick Switcher – jump to any channel or DM | Start typing a name to filter instantly |
Ctrl+Shift+A | ⌘+Shift+A | Open Mentions & Reactions panel | See everything you're mentioned in at once |
Ctrl+Shift+M | ⌘+Shift+M | Mark all messages as read | Great after catching up on a busy channel |
Ctrl+Shift+Y | ⌘+Shift+Y | Set yourself as away | Stops notifications while you're AFK |
Ctrl+Enter | ⌘+Enter | Send message | Works in any message box |
Alt+↑/↓ | Option+↑/↓ | Navigate message history | Quickly edit a recent message |
Ctrl+/ | ⌘+/ | Open shortcuts help overlay | Shows every shortcut in a pop-up |
Ctrl+Shift+L | ⌘+Shift+L | Toggle channel sidebar | Gives you more screen real-estate |
Ctrl+Shift+C | ⌘+Shift+C | Open channel details | See members, pinned items, and settings |
Ctrl+Shift+E | ⌘+Shift+E | Toggle emoji picker | Insert emojis without leaving the keyboard |
Navigation Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Switcher (channels & DMs) | Ctrl+K | ⌘+K |
| Go to previous channel | Alt+← | ⌘+[ |
| Go to next channel | Alt+→ | ⌘+] |
| Jump to unreads | Alt+Shift+↑/↓ | Option+Shift+↑/↓ |
| Open direct messages | Ctrl+Shift+K | ⌘+Shift+K |
| Open search | Ctrl+F | ⌘+F |
Messaging Shortcuts
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Send message | Ctrl+Enter | ⌘+Enter |
| New line in message | Shift+Enter | Shift+Enter |
| Edit last message | ↑ (in empty box) | ↑ (in empty box) |
| Bold text | Ctrl+B | ⌘+B |
| Italic text | Ctrl+I | ⌘+I |
| Strikethrough text | Ctrl+Shift+X | ⌘+Shift+X |
| Inline code | Ctrl+Shift+C | ⌘+Shift+C |
Pro Tips for Slack Power Users
- Ctrl+K is the most important Slack shortcut — use it instead of clicking the sidebar. Once you know channel names, you can navigate Slack entirely from the keyboard.
- Mark all as read after a long absence — if you've been in meetings all day, hit Ctrl+Shift+M to clear the unread pile instantly instead of clicking through every channel.
- Use Ctrl+/ to discover shortcuts you don't know — the overlay shows every shortcut available on your current screen, so it adapts to what you're doing.
- Alt+↑/↓ to navigate and edit messages — in any channel, pressing ↑ in an empty message box opens your last message for editing. No right-clicking needed.
Download the Office Shortcuts PDF
The Office Pack PDF includes complete cheat sheets for Slack, Zoom, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Docs, and Google Sheets — formatted for printing or desktop reference.
Related Shortcut References
- Slack Shortcuts — Full Interactive Reference
- Microsoft Teams Keyboard Shortcuts
- Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts
- Notion Keyboard Shortcuts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to jump between channels in Slack?
Press Ctrl+K (Windows) or ⌘+K (Mac) to open the Quick Switcher. Start typing any channel name or person's name and press Enter to jump there instantly — no mouse required.
How do I mark all Slack messages as read?
Press Ctrl+Shift+M on Windows or ⌘+Shift+M on Mac to mark all messages as read across every channel at once. This is the fastest way to clear your unread count after a busy period.
What is the Slack shortcut to set myself as away?
Press Ctrl+Shift+Y on Windows or ⌘+Shift+Y on Mac to toggle your status between active and away. This pauses notifications so you can focus without distraction.
How do I send a Slack message without clicking the Send button?
Press Ctrl+Enter on Windows or ⌘+Enter on Mac to send a message from any message box in Slack. This works in channels, direct messages, and thread replies.
How do I open the Slack keyboard shortcuts help overlay?
Press Ctrl+/ on Windows or ⌘+/ on Mac to open a full pop-up listing every available Slack keyboard shortcut. It's the fastest way to discover shortcuts you haven't learned yet.