Direct messages

A direct message is a private conversation between you and one other person. Direct messages are not part of a workspace, so you see them from every workspace.

Your conversations

Direct Messages in the left rail lists your conversations. Alt + Down arrow and Alt + Up arrow, or Option + Down arrow and Option + Up arrow on a Mac, move between them. Add Shift to jump to the next one with unread messages.

Start a direct message

• From a message: point to a person's name or photo, or to a mention of them, then click Message on their profile card.
• From the command palette: press Ctrl + K, or ⌘ + K on a Mac, type the person's name, then pick them.
• From a channel's members: click the channel name, then Members, then ⋯ on the person's row, then Message.
• From the Direct Messages list: while you have fewer than five conversations, people you haven't messaged yet are listed below them.

If you already have a conversation with the person, it opens.

Conversation details

Click the person's name at the top of the conversation.

• View profile shows the person's email address and phone number. Click one to copy it.
• Files, Links and Threads open the details panel for the conversation. Pinned messages are on its Pins tab, and under the pin next to the name.

If the other person's account is deactivated, you can still read the conversation but can't send new messages.

On the mobile app

Tap DMs at the bottom of the screen. To start a conversation, tap a person's name or photo on a message, then Message.