Slack has announced several updates to its team messaging platform, which includes a new navigation bar and a compose button, an updated sidebar, folder-like organisational feature and shortcuts to access certain features.
The update for the Slack desktop client has started rolling out and will be available globally within the next few weeks, followed by an updated mobile version rollout.
“Every person on every team—centrally located or remote, technical or not—should be able to take advantage of the platform and collaborate. That’s why we’re releasing a simpler, more organised experience for our users,” Slack announced.
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The navigation bar, sidebar and compose
The new navigation bar is aimed at making it quicker for users to search the channel as well as toggle between recent conversations. Vital information such as mentions, reactions, files, people and app will also be placed at the top of the sidebar.
The new compose button will also appear at the top of the sidebar, which will offer added convenience to draft a message before deciding the recipient. Just like in email services, any drafts will be automatically saved and can be accessed later.
Organise
As mentioned above, the new update will also allow users to organise in folder-like setting on Slack too. Users on paid Slack plans can now create new sections and organise their channels, messages and apps.
To shift anything from the sidebar to a specific section, simply drag and drop.
Shortcuts
The update also brings several useful tool short cuts in Slack. Users will see a new lightning bolt icon at the left of the message box, which will give access to several apps.
Users can create a poll using Simple Poll, use Cisco WebEx Meetings to start a virtual meeting and use Freshdesk’s shortcut to create a customer support ticket. Slack will be adding more apps to the shortcut in the coming weeks.
Users can also access native Slack tools and start a call, create a post, set a reminder or automate workflows via the lightning bolt shortcut button.
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