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    4. Add and manage tabs in channels and direct messages

Add and manage tabs in channels and direct messages

Every channel and direct message (DM) starts with a   Messages tab. As discussions kick off and you share files, create workflows, and pin important messages, additional tabs will automatically appear. You can also create folders to organize links and resources.


Create a tab

Create tabs to feature content prominently in a channel or DM. You can create up to 15 tabs for the following types of content:

  • Canvases and lists
  • Workflows
  • Messages
  • Links and other files (in folders)


Add a canvas or a list

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click the   plus sign at the top of the conversation, then select
      Canvas or   List from the menu.
  3. Search for and select a canvas or list, or create a new one if you’d like. If you’re adding a list, select a view.
  4. Click Insert.
  5. Review the access permissions, then click Share.

Tip: Highlight a canvas or list in a channel or DM by dragging and dropping it into the conversation header.


Add a workflow

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click the   plus sign at the top of the conversation, then select
      Workflows from the menu.
  3. Search for and select a workflow, or create a new one if you’d like.
  4. Click Add.
  5. Review the access permissions, then click Save.


Pin a message

When you pin an important message to a channel or a DM, it will be added to the
  Pins tab. Here’s how:

Free plan

Pro, Business+, and Enterprise plans

  1. From your desktop, hover over the message you’d like to add.
  2. Click the   three dots icon.
  3. Select Pin to channel or Pin to this conversation in a DM.
  4. To remove a message, open the   Pins tab and hover over the message. Click the   three dots icon, then select Un-pin from channel.
  1. From your desktop, hover over the message you’d like to add.
  2. Click the   three dots icon.
  3. Hover over Organize, then select   Pin to channel or   Pin to this conversation in a DM.
  4. To remove a message, open the   Pins tab and hover over the message. Click the   three dots icon, then select Un-pin from channel.


Add a folder

If people use your channel to find a particular set of resources (like onboarding materials or project plans), create a folder to organize all of the relevant links and files. You can add up to 100 items or folders per channel. 

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click the   plus sign at the top of the conversation, then select
      Folder.
  3. Enter a name for your folder and click Create.
  4. Click Add, then select an option from the menu.


Add a file

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click an existing folder or create a new one.
  3. Click the   plus sign at the top of the folder, then select   File.
  4. Select a file, then click Add File.
  5. Click Share to grant access to everyone in conversation.


Add a link

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click the   plus sign at the top of the conversation, then select   Link.
  3. Add a URL. If you want, edit the display name and emoji.
  4. Choose a folder for the link or create a new one.
  5. Click Add.


Edit or delete a folder

Anyone in a conversation can add and remove content from a folder, or rename or delete a folder, even if editing tabs is restricted to Channel Managers. 

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM and select a folder to open it.
  2. Click the   three dots icon next to the link or file you’d like to remove, then click Delete link or Remove file.
  3. To rename or delete a folder, click the   three dots icon in the top right and select Rename folder or Delete folder.

Note: Folders for Channel Expert data sources can be edited, but you can't delete them unless you remove the Channel Expert agent. 


Arrange tabs

You can drag and drop tabs in the conversation header to reorder them. This includes moving files, links, and pinned messages in and out of folders. To hide or show a tab in a conversation, follow the steps below:

  1. From your desktop, open a channel or DM.
  2. Click the   plus sign at the top of the conversation, then select Edit tabs.
  3. Hover over a tab, then click the   eye icon to display or hide it, or click the   trash can icon to delete it.


Manage who can edit tabs

Channel Managers can allow everyone to edit the tabs in a channel, or restrict editing to only Channel Managers. 

  1. From your desktop, open a channel that you manage.
  2. Click the channel name and select Settings.
  3. Below Choose who can add, remove, and reorder tabs, select an option from the drop-down menu.

Who can use this feature?

  • All members and guests (by default)
  • Available on all plans

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