Updated June 2026 · 5 min read
Slack Keyboard Shortcuts: A Keyboard-First Workflow for Keeping Up
full Slack keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet
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.