Add files to Slack
To help you collaborate, add files to Slack and share them with your teammates. Uploaded files are stored, searchable and shareable across your workspace. đ
How files work in Slack
- You can add files to your messages in channels and direct messages.
- You can share files across your workspace or externally.
- You can comment on files by using threads.
- Audio and video files play in-line within your workspace, wherever shared.
Note: Files added to Slack may not exceed 1 GB in size. Please note that images cannot be edited from Slack.
Add a file to your workspace
To add files to Slack, choose one from your computer or from your preferred file management app.
Add a file from your computer
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
- Drag and drop a file into Slack or click the  plus icon next to the message field.
- Add a message about the file if you like.
- To change the fileâs name, click edit next to the current title.
- Underneath Share with, choose where to share the file. To share a file later or to keep it private, untick the box next to Share with.
- Click Upload when youâre ready.
An uploaded file will include a preview of it. If itâs an image file, the preview will be displayed in-line as long as itâs shorter than 11,000 px on the longest side or smaller than 32 million px in total.
Anyone in the conversation can click the file to open it. To see more options, hover over the file:
  Download a copy to your computer
  Share the file without replies (if any)
  More actions, e.g. star file or create external link
Tip:Â You can skip the steps above to upload a file instantly: hold the Shift key as you drop the file into Slack or paste an image file directly into the message field.
- Tap the message field.
- Tap the  file with clip icon to upload a file or the  image gallery icon to upload a photo. You can choose a photo from your phone or take a new one.
- You can give the file a title and add a message if you like.
- Tap the  tick in the top right to send.
An uploaded file will include a preview of it. If itâs an image file, the preview will be displayed in-line as long as itâs shorter than 11,000 px on the longest side or smaller than 32 million px in total.
Anyone in the conversation can tap the file to open it and can select from these options:
 Start or reply to the file thread
 Star the file
 Share the file without replies (if any)
 More actions, e.g. Save image or Copy link
- Tap the  file with clip icon in the input bar to bring up your available files.
- To upload a file, tap theÂ
 files icon or tap the  image gallery icon to upload a photo. You can choose a photo from your device or take a new one by tapping the  camera icon.
- You can give the file a title and add a message if you like.
- Tap the   paper plane icon in the input bar.
Slack will include a preview of the file as part of your message to the channel or direct message. The image will display in-line unless itâs larger than 11,000 pixels on the longest side or over 32 million pixels in total.
Anyone in the conversation can tap the file to open and find more options:
 Start or reply to the file thread
 Star the file
 Share the file without replies (if any)
 More actions, e.g. Save image or Copy linkÂ
- Tap the  plus icon next to the message box.
- Choose a file from your recent photos, your OneDrive account or from elsewhere on your device.
Add files from Box, Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive
You can also share files from a file management tool. To get started with one of these apps, visit an article below:
- Share Box files in Slack
- Share Dropbox files in Slack
- Share Google Drive files in Slack
- Share OneDrive files in Slack
Share a file with your workspace
There are three ways to share a file with your workspace:
- Share a file along with its replies
- Share a stand-alone file without replies
- Copy and share a link to a file (this wonât include replies)
Note: Any member with access to a file youâve uploaded to Slack can also share it with others.Â
Share a file with replies
To preserve context or to keep a discussion going, you can share a file along with its original message and threaded replies.Â
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
- Hover over the message with the file you want to share.
- Click the  Share message icon.
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
- Click Share.
To share the file in more than one location, repeat these same steps.
- Press and hold the message containing the file you want to share.
- Tap Share message.
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
- Click Send.
- Select the file you want to share.
- Tap the  Overflow menu in the top right.
- Tap Share file.Â
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
Share a stand-alone file
If you donât want to include an internal discussion, you can share a stand-alone file without its replies. This is particularly helpful when you need to send a file to a shared channel or maybe to a guest.
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
- Hover over the file you want to share.
- Click the  Share file icon.
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
- Click Share. You can share the file in more than one location by repeating these same steps.
- Tap the file you want to share.
- Tap the  Share icon.
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
- Click Send.
- Select the file you want to share.
- Tap the  Overflow menu in the top right.
- Tap Share file.Â
- Choose where to share the file and add a message if you like.
Copy a link to a file
When you copy a link to a file and share it, only members of your workspace will be able to open it.
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
- Hover over the file.
- Click the  More actions icon.
- Click Copy link to file.Â
- Share the file link in a channel or direct message.
- Tap on the file or image.
- Tap the  More actions icon.
- Select Copy link.
- Share the file link in a channel or direct message.
- Select the file or image.
- Tap the  Overflow menu in the top right.
- Select Copy link.
- Share the file link in a channel or direct message.
Share a file externally
To share a file outside of your workspace, you can create an external link. If youâve uploaded the file, you can also revoke its external link at any time. If you didnât upload the file, get in touch with the member who did to have the link revoked.
Note: If youâre a workspace owner or admin, you can disable the option to create external links from your workspaceâs Settings & permissions page.
Create an external link
- From your desktop, hover over the file you want to create a link for.
- Click the  More actions icon.
- Select Create external link.
- Copy the link to your clipboard, then click Done.
Revoke an external link
- From your desktop, hover over the file you want to revoke a link for.
- Click the  More actions icon.
- Select View external link.
- Click Revoke, then click Revoke it.Â
Â
Access shared files
You can view and download files that you or other members have added to Slack.
View shared files
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
- From your desktop, click the  three vertical dots in the top right.
- Select Your files to view the ones youâve added to Slack. Or choose All files to see what others have uploaded.
- Use the first filter to choose the file type youâre looking for.
- Use the second filter narrow your search by who uploaded a file.Â
- Swipe from right to left to open the right sidebar.
- Select Your files.
- Tap Everyone to view all files uploaded by members.
- Or tap Just you to view files uploaded by you.
Itâs not currently possible to view all shared files from the Slack app for Android.
Itâs not currently possible to view all shared files from the Slack app for Windows Phone.
Download shared files
Desktop
iOS
Android
Windows Phone
From your desktop, you can download any type of file thatâs been shared to your workspace:
- Hover over the file you want to download.
- Click the    download icon. Thatâs it!
From your iOS device, you can download and save an image file thatâs been shared to your workspace:
- Tap the image you want to save.
- Tap the  three dots icon.
- Tap Save image.
From your Android device, you can download and save an image file thatâs been shared to your workspace:
- Tap the image you want to save.
- Tap the  three dots icon.
- Tap Save image.
Unfortunately, itâs not possible to download files from the Windows Phone app.
Note: You can change your default download location on desktop by clicking your workspace name in the top left. Select Preferences and choose Advanced to set your location.Â
File storage
When you upload a file, it will be stored in Slack. The amount of space available for a workspace varies by subscription:
Subscription | File storage |
Free subscription | 5 GB in total for the entire workspace |
Standard subscription | 10 GBÂ per member |
Plus subscription | 20 GB per member |
Enterprise Grid subscription | 1 TB (1,000 GB) per member |
Â
Slack will let you know once youâve reached your storage limit. For more space, you can delete older files or upgrade your subscription.