Overview
Slack Connect lets you collaborate with other workspaces outside U-M Slack via shared channels and direct messages (DMs). This document provides information on how to use Slack Connect to connect with external workspaces outside of U-M Slack.
With Slack Connect, you can invite:
- Up to 249 additional organizations to a single channel.
- Both free and paid Slack workspaces.
- An unlimited number of members to each channel.
Channels or DMs using Slack Connect will be marked with a double-diamond icon and automatically sorted into a sidebar section called “External Connections.”
Connect With External (Non-UM) Workspaces
Slack Connect lets you collaborate with other workspaces outside U-M Slack, whether they are free or paid. (Slack Connect channels cannot be created in the Maize & Blue workspace.)
Tip: To DM someone at a different organization, everyone in the conversation must already be in at least one Slack Connect channel together. Just like regular U-M Slack DMs, Slack Connect DMs are not workspace-specific.
To add external users to an existing channel:
Note: You cannot add external users to the #general channel.
- Open the channel to which you’d like to add the external workspace.
- Click the cluster of profile pictures in the top right of the channel.
- Click Add people.
- Depending on the channel type, follow the relevant step below:
- Private channel: Select Add to [channel name] and click Continue.
- Private Slack Connect channel: Click Add to channel.
- Public channel: Go directly to Step 5.
Enter the email addresses of the external people you’d like to invite to your channel. Ensure to select Invite [email address] from the drop-down if multiple results appear for it. Click Add.
Note: You only need to invite one person from each organization to the channel, as long as you assign them the "Post and invite" permission in Step 7. That individual is then responsible for inviting other colleagues.
- Select An external organization and click Next.
- Select which permissions you want people from the external workspace(s) to access and click Next. (If you aren't asked to assign permissions, it is likely because you have already invited someone from that organization to your channel, resulting in the default permission already being set.)
- Post and invite: Includes full access to the channel, workflows, and apps. After you’re done collaborating, they’ll get to keep a copy of the channel history.
Only post: Doesn’t include the use of workflows or apps, and they can’t invite their coworkers.
Caution: You cannot change these permissions after inviting them.
- Enter an optional note and click Send Invitation(s).
- Click Done.
To add external users to a new channel:
- Create a new channel by clicking the plus icon (+) in the lower left corner and selecting Channel.
- Select the workspace in which you’d like to create the channel from the drop-down menu.
- Enter your desired channel name in the field provided.
- Select Private - Only specific people, and click Create.
- Enter the email addresses of the external people you’d like to invite to your channel. Ensure to select Invite [email address] from the drop-down if multiple results appear for it. Click Add.
- Select An external organization and click Next.
- Select which permissions you want people from the external workspace(s) to access and click Next:
- Post and invite: Includes full access to the channel, workflows, and apps. After you’re done collaborating, they’ll get to keep a copy of the channel history.
Only post: Doesn’t include the use of workflows or apps, and they can’t invite their coworkers.
Caution: You cannot change these permissions after inviting them.
- Enter an optional note and click Send Invitation(s).
- Click Done.
Additional information on inviting free workspaces
Free workspaces can expect the following when they join U-M Slack Connect channels:
- If multiple people from their organization have received invitations to the same channel, only one person must accept it. (Depending on their settings, the invitation may be sent to an admin for review.)
- Messages won’t count toward their message visibility limit.
- Uploaded files will count toward the file storage limit. (However, all files will be accessible in a Slack Connect channel, even if the storage limit is reached.) Free workspaces have a 90-day data retention policy.
- Channel members can start and join huddles, record audio and video clips, add and use apps, and use published workflows (with several limitations).
- Individuals from free workspaces can join unlimited Slack Connect-sponsored channels to which they’re invited, but cannot send invitations to a U-M Slack workspace themselves.
Visit the Slack Help Center for more information on working with external workspaces using Slack Connect.