Slack keyboard shortcuts for Mac
Find conversations, navigate a workspace and compose messages with the right focus.
Documentation reviewed 2026-11-05 · 6 task guides · Mac bindings and focus notes
What do you want to do?
Format a Slack draft without sending it on Mac
With the Slack message field focused on Mac, Command-B applies bold, Command-I italic and Command-Shift-U a link to selected text. Shift-Return creates a line break in the draft.
Steps, keys and context ↗Open and mute Slack huddles on Mac
Slack documents Command-Shift-H for starting, joining, leaving or ending a huddle on Mac, depending on context. Command-Shift-Space toggles huddle mute. Check the visible huddle state before pressing a command that can affect a conversation.
Steps, keys and context ↗Open and switch Slack conversations on Mac
Command-K opens Slack’s conversation switcher on Mac. Option-Up Arrow and Option-Down Arrow move through sidebar conversations; Command-Left Bracket and Command-Right Bracket move through navigation history.
Steps, keys and context ↗Review unread Slack messages with the keyboard on Mac
Command-Shift-A opens Slack’s unread view on Mac. Option-Shift-Up Arrow and Down Arrow move between unread conversations. Escape marks messages read in context; Shift-Escape marks all messages read, so use it deliberately.
Steps, keys and context ↗Search a Slack conversation or workspace on Mac
Command-F searches the current Slack conversation on Mac, while Command-G starts a search. Check the scope shown in the search field before deciding that a result or missing result covers the whole workspace.
Steps, keys and context ↗Switch Slack workspaces on Mac
Command-Shift-S expands or collapses Slack’s workspace switcher on Mac. Control-Tab moves to the next workspace and Control-Shift-Tab to the previous one. Workspace number shortcuts are assigned in the desktop app’s sidebar.
Steps, keys and context ↗
Quick reference
Selected bindings from the linked task guides. Check the context before pressing a key: the focused control, app version and your custom settings can change what it does. This is a documentation reference, not an exhaustive live menu reading.
| Action | Keys | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bold selected text | Command-B | Use within the message composer. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Huddle lifecycle action | Command-Shift-H | The action varies with whether a huddle is available or active. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Jump to a conversation | Command-K | Type a channel or person, then choose the result. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Open unread view | Command-Shift-A | Review the set of unread messages. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Search this conversation | Command-F | Start with the current channel or direct message as context. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Toggle workspace switcher | Command-Shift-S | Show or hide the workspace selector. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Italic selected text | Command-I | Apply emphasis to the selection. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Toggle microphone mute | Command-Shift-Space | Check the huddle microphone indicator after toggling. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Previous sidebar conversation | Option-Up Arrow | Move according to the sidebar’s order. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Previous unread conversation | Option-Shift-Up Arrow | Move to another unread channel or direct message. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Start a search | Command-G | Open Slack’s broader search workflow. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Next workspace | Control-Tab | Move between signed-in workspaces. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Link selected text | Command-Shift-U | Open the hyperlink workflow for selected wording. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Open conversation details | Command-Shift-I | Inspect the selected conversation’s details when identifying its context. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Next sidebar conversation | Option-Down Arrow | Visit the next channel or direct message. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Next unread conversation | Option-Shift-Down Arrow | Continue through unread conversations. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| Previous workspace | Control-Shift-Tab | Return to the previous workspace. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
| New line | Shift-Return | Continue the draft on another line. Source ↗Read the task guide → |
When a shortcut behaves differently
- Confirm you are using the Mac binding, and check whether the guide describes a desktop app or its web version.
- Put focus in the control named in the guide. Editing text, selecting an object and navigating a sidebar can use different keys.
- Look up the command in the app's menu or shortcut settings. Customized keys and non-US keyboard layouts can differ from documented defaults.
The cited documentation was checked for these guides; a documentation review is separate from testing your particular running app. How we verify and update guides →
Official sources
- Slack keyboard shortcuts — Slack Help — checked 2026-11-04
- Navigate Slack with your keyboard — Slack Help — checked 2026-11-04