Permissions by role in Slack
In Slack, every person has a role, each with its own level of permissions and access. Use the tables below to explore specific permissions for each type of role.
Using Slack
Breakdown of permissions by role type for key features for using Slack.
✓ Available by default
✷ Only available to Workspace Owners
✦ Only available if a Workspace Owner changes the default setting
Owner/Admin | Member | Guest | |
Send messages and upload files | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Join any public channel | ✓ | ✓ | |
Delete your own messages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Create a channel* | ✓ | ✓ | |
Create a private channel* | ✓ | ✓ | Multi-Channel Guest |
Convert a channel to private** | ✓ | ||
Manage channels with Slack Connect† | ✓ | ✷ | |
Archive a channel** | ✓ | ✓ | |
Rename a channel** (Adjustable on Grid) |
✓ | ||
Delete a channel | ✓ | ||
Set channel retention | ✦ | ||
Set private channel retention | ✓ | ✷ | |
Set posting permissions | ✓ | ✓ | |
Create a channel email address | ✓ | ✓ | |
Use @channel and @here | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Use @everyone | ✓ | ✓ | |
Create user groups | ✓ | ✷ | |
Mention user groups | ✓ | ✓ | |
Be added to user groups | ✓ | ✓ | |
Set reminders for channels or members | ✓ | ✓ | |
Add custom emoji | ✓ | ✓ | |
Use shortcuts | ✓ | ✓ | Multi-Channel Guest |
Install apps | ✓ | ✓ | |
Use workflows† | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Build workflows† | ✓ | ✓ |
* Workspace Owners can restrict permissions for creating channels.
** Channel Managers can also adjust channels they are assigned.
† Paid plans only
Administration
Administrative settings for some features are limited by role type.
✓ Available by default
✷ Only available to Workspace Owners
✦ Only available if a Workspace Owner changes the default setting
*** The person who upgraded the workspace can also make changes.
† Paid plans only
Additional administration on Enterprise Grid
The following table breaks down permissions for organization-level administrative settings on Slack's Enterprise Grid plan.
✓ Available by default
✷ Only available if an Org Owner/Admin chooses
✦ Only if an Org Owner/Admin is also a member of the workspace
Organization policies
Org Owner/Admin | Workspace Owner/Admin | Member | |
Set display name guidelines | ✓ | ✦ | |
Set default do not disturb mode | ✓ | ✦ | |
Set custom message retention | ✓ | ✦ | ✦ |
Set custom file retention | ✓ | ||
Manage channel posting permissions | ✓ | ✦ | |
Create and edit user groups | ✓ | ✦ | ✦ |
Set public file sharing policy | ✓ | ✦ | |
Create a multi-workspace channel | ✓ | ✦ | ✦ |
Configure single sign-on | Org Owner | ||
Set mandatory two-factor authentication | Org Owner | ||
Allow users to change email/display name | Org Owner |
Administrative
Org Owner/Admin | Workspace Owner/Admin | Member | |
Connect IDP groups to workspaces or channels | ✓ | ||
Manage member's account status and permissions | ✓ | ||
Change a member's display name or email address | ✓ | ✦ | |
Manage email display | ✓ | ✓ | |
Deactivate a member's account | ✓ | ||
Create a custom role | Org Primary Owner | Roles Admin | |
Manage domain claiming | ✓ | ||
Create a new workspace on the org | ✓ | ✓ | |
Set workspace discovery and access | ✦ | ✓ | |
Move channels between workspaces | ✦ | ✓ | |
Manage multi-workspace channel creation | ✓ | ||
Manage channels with Slack Connect | ✓ | ||
Restrict members from inviting people to a channel | ✓ | ✓ | Channel Manager |
Choose name, URL, and icon | ✓ | ||
View workspace analytics | ✓ | ✷ | ✷ |
Add custom emoji | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Set Slackbot responses policy | ✓ | ✷ | |
Set app management policies | ✓ | ||
Approve or restrict apps†† | ✓ | ✓ | |
Use channel management tools | Org Owner§ | ✓ | |
Delete workspace | Primary Owner |
†† Workspace Owners can only approve or restrict apps for their workspace that have not been approved or restricted at the org level.
§ Org Admins can use channel management tools if they are also a member of the workspace.
System roles on Enterprise Grid
On Slack's Enterprise Grid plan, system roles give organizations more flexibility around permissions that can be granted to members. Admins can give users one or many system roles to help them manage the organization.
System role | Permissions |
Analytics Admin |
View the analytics dashboard |
Audit Logs Admin | Access audit logs in Slack |
Channels Admin | Create private channels, rename channels, convert public channels to private, archive/unarchive channels, and adjust posting permissions |
DLP Admin |
|
Export Admin | Access and manage exports in Slack |
Legal Holds Admin |
Create, edit, and release legal holds |
Message Activity Manager |
View message activity in channels |
Roles Admin | Create custom roles and manage who is assigned system roles |
Sales Admin |
Manage Slack Sales Elevate* |
Security Admin |
Manage sessions and deactivate accounts |
Users Admin |
Add/remove users from workspace, and deactivate users |
Workflow Admin |
Manage workflows |
* Also available on the Business+ plan.
Additional system roles will be released in the future. Stay tuned!