How To Set Custom Status Messages In Slack For Enhanced Team Collaboration

Discover the power of custom status messages in Slack for seamless team collaboration and communication.

Slack has become an indispensable tool in workplaces worldwide, offering a range of features to keep teams connected and productive.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting custom status messages in Slack. By optimizing this feature, you can ensure effective communication, improved productivity, and streamlined teamwork.

Step 1: Launch Slack and access the status menu

Learn how to set custom status messages in Slack by opening the Slack application or accessing the web version.

Navigate to the status menu by clicking on your profile or workspace name located in the lower-left corner of the Slack interface.

Step 2: Choose a status: predefined or custom

Explore the options available in the status dialog box.

Select from the pre-defined status options or create a custom status message that aligns with your availability, tasks, or any relevant information you wish to share. All you need to do is start typing in the What's your status? box.

Notice that if you choose to integrate Slack and Google Calendar, you will see the Automatically updates option for when you have a meeting scheduled.

Step 3: Set a custom status message and choose an emoji

Create a personalized status message in Slack by entering the desired text.

Enhance its impact by selecting an emoji that provides additional context or reflects your mood.

Here, you can also choose to pause notifications until the status is changed back.

Step 4: Select a duration for your status message

Optimize your custom status by choosing a predefined time duration or manually setting a start and end time.

Alternatively, set your status to remain active until you manually change it.

Step 5: Customize visibility settings

Tailor the visibility of your status message to control who can see it.

Whether you want it visible to everyone in your Slack workspace or specific individuals and channels, Slack offers flexible visibility options.

Customize who can see your status message by following these steps:

a. From the status menu, click on "Set a status."

b. In the dialog box, select the "Customize" option next to "Who can see this status?"

c. Choose from the following visibility options:

• "Everyone": Your status message will be visible to all members of your Slack workspace.
• "Specific people": Select individuals or a group of people who should see your status. You can search for names or select them from your workspace directory.
• "Specific channels": Limit the visibility of your status message to specific channels within your Slack workspace. Choose the relevant channels from the list.
• "Only you": Keep your status message private, visible only to yourself.

d. Once you've chosen the desired visibility setting, click "Done" to save your changes.

e. Your custom status message will now be visible to the selected audience, whether it's everyone, specific people, specific channels, or just yourself.

Step 6: Save your custom status

Ensure your settings are saved by clicking the "Save" button.

Your custom status message will now appear next to your name, keeping your team members informed about your availability or relevant updates.

Step 7: Edit or remove your custom status

Need to make changes?

Revisit the status menu by following Steps 1 and 2. From there, edit your existing custom status message, adjust the duration, or choose to clear your status entirely.