Channels

Communication takes place in every phase of the project, whether it's through tasks or chat. Share essential information in the messaging channels when collaborating, and leverage comment threads for communication. Engage in public or private conversations with colleagues, and share communication context that take place externally. Use emojis to let your colleagues know that you read the message or agree with the message. Attach related images or files to the messages to save the overall context.

What is a channel?

A channel is where collaborators communicate about the specific topic set for the channel. Because each channel has a clear objective and only relevant people participate, the participants can engage in productive communication in a defined context and keep track of the conversation.

General channel

Each workspace is provided with a primary channel initially named General, but freely editable. All members joining the workspace are automatically added to the General channel and cannot leave. The General channel cannot be deleted, and is usually used for the following purposes:

• Notify all members with updates or announcements
• Present agenda items asking for input or feedback from all members

Public vs. private channels

When creating a channel or later in the channel settings, you can make the channel public or private. Public and private channels have the following features.

• Public channels: All members can join by browsing channels.
• Private channels: Can only be joined by invitation from those already in the channel. Private channels are used for exclusive discussions restricted to only related participants. The icon is displayed next to the channel’s name in the channel list, and when non-members browse channels, private channels are not shown.

Channel list, starred channels, and folders

The channel main menu displays all active channels you joined. You can use some useful features to conveniently categorize, arrange, and access channels.

• Unread channels: The list of channels with unread messages are shown at the top of the channel list under Unread.
• Starred channels: Frequently visited or important channels can be starred. Click on t the left of the channel name to start or unstar it. Starred channels are added under the Starred label on the top while maintaining the original position in the channel list.
  • Channel folders: Use folders to group starred channels according to their characteristics or topics.
    • To make a folder, click on next to the Starred label, and click Create folder.
    • Click on next to the folder to rename or delete the folder.
• Other channels: Show the list of channels you joined except for the ones starred. The channels are displayed in alphabetical order.

Join a channel

To join a channel:

• Join by browsing channels: Find out the list of channels you can join by browsing channels. Note that this shows only public channels. To join a private channel, you must be invited by a member of that channel.

• Join via invitation: When you receive an invitation from a member who is already in a channel, you are automatically added to the channel.

• Auto-join: For the General channel and auto-join channels, you will be automatically added to them upon joining the workspace.

Create a channel

When you need a new channel to discuss a new topic, you can create one as follows:

1. Click on next to the Channels label, then select Create channel in the menu popping up to open the dialog box for creating a channel.
2. Set the channel’s name, purpose, whether to make it public or private, and the members to invite to the channel, then click Create channel.

Browse channels

Click on next to the channel label, and select Browse channels to open the window where you will find all accessible channels.

• Channels you can join: All public channels you’re not a member of are listed. You can select a channel you want to join.
• Channels you belong to: All public and private channels you’re in are listed.
• Archived channels: All archived channels accessible to you are listed.

Manage a channel

Click the name of the channel to open the dropdown menu, then click Manage channel to open the channel manage page.

• Channel info: You can edit the channel’s name, purpose, and whether to show previous chat history to new members.

• Channel members: The list of the channel's hosts and members is displayed, and from here, you can assign the host privilege to another members.

• Convert to private channel: You can convert a public channel to a private channel. Converting this channel to a private channel will not affect its posts or members. Note that once you convert this channel to a private channel, you cannot make it public again.

• Archive channel: You can archive an active channel and reactivate the archived channel at any time. Archive channels that are no longer in use and save the history. When a channel is archived, a notification is sent to the channel members. Once archived, no new posts can be added, and access to installed apps is denied.

• Delete channel: If you delete a channel, all messages and ideas within that channel are permanently removed, and the deleted channel cannot be restored. However, attached files are not deleted.

Add and manage apps in channels

When you install apps from the Swit store to each channel, the app is then allowed to read and write channel data within the permitted range of scopes. Add apps to receive notifications from external services or to utilize them for task management. The apps installed in the channel can be checked viewed under Connected at the top right of the channel area.

• Click + Manage apps, to view the list of apps installed in the organization and you can Invite or Remove apps at any time.

• A system message is generated every time you invite or remove a store app.

• When you click on an app installed or invited in a channel, a menu appears where you can view the app information or manage the app.

• For some Store apps, you can directly sign in to the account and perform app actions through the Connected.

  

  

View shared files

To see all files shared in a channel, click on the channel name, then click Shared files. Files will open at the right panel. You can easily locate the file you're looking for by searching its name or using filters such as location, member, type, and more.

Channel push notifications

You can customize push notifications for each channel. Click on the channel you're participating in. Click on the channel name, click Push notifications, then select All new posts, Mentions & keywords, or Mute this channel.

Channel members

You can view the list of members in a channel, add new members, or remove members. See below for different actions you can perform based on permissions.

View channel members

Click on at the top of the channel screen to see the channel members.

Add channel members

All participating members can add members to the channel. Click Invite to channel at the bottom of the list and select members you want to invite from the displayed workspace member list. You can also search for teams or groups to invite in bulk.

Remove channel members

Workspace admins or channel hosts can remove channel members. Click on the icon to remove a member.

Leave a channel

Click on the channel name, then click Leave channel to exit the channel right away. If you wish to rejoin after leaving a channel, you can do so for public channels by browsing channels.

Delete a channel

Only the channel host can delete a channel. Deleting a channel will permanently remove all messages, ideas, and tabs in that channel. However, attached files will not be deleted.