Set up and manage Salesforce channels in Slack

Salesforce channels allow your team to update Salesforce records and centralize conversations about customers right in Slack. You can create and manage channel configurations to control which record types can be used in Salesforce channels.

Note: You can also set up Salesforce channels to let members collaborate directly on Salesforce records. Visit the Salesforce Help Center to learn more. 


Configure Salesforce channels

Follow the steps below to set up Salesforce channels in Slack. Work with an Admin in Salesforce to complete the setup steps in Salesforce. 

Step 1: Connect a Salesforce org to Slack

  1. Follow the steps in our Connect Salesforce and Slack guide.
  2. Once your Salesforce org is connected, you’ll need to manually map users if they haven’t already been granted access to Salesforce in Slack.

Step 2: Create Salesforce channel configurations 

Create a configuration for each record type your members can use when they create a Salesforce channel. Salesforce channels can map to any record type except Users.

  1. Sign in to Salesforce, then select Setup.
  2. In the Quick Find box, search for and select Slack Channels for Records.
  3. Click + Add Objects.
  4. Search for and select the objects that you want to use for Salesforce channels.  
  5. Click Add Objects to finish. 


Manage Salesforce channel default settings

You can choose default settings for channel privacy and list tabs for each Salesforce channel configuration. When you configure Salesforce default privacy settings, you can decide whether channels are public or limited access. If you limit access to a Salesforce channel, you can further customize who can view and join based on the following Salesforce record permissions: 

  • Anyone who can view record
    Anyone with access to the Salesforce record can view the channel and invite others.
  • Record editors
    People who can edit the Salesforce record can view the channel and invite others. 
  • Record owners 
    Only record owners and those with transfer access can view the channel and invite others. 

Free, Pro, and Business+ plans

Enterprise plans

  1. From your desktop, click   Admin in the sidebar.
  2. Select Manage Salesforce Organizations from the menu.
  3. Select a Salesforce org.
  4. Click the Channel configurations tab.
  5. Click the   three dots iconnext to a Salesforce channel configuration, then click Edit default preferences.
  6. Below Channel privacy, select a default privacy. If you select Limited access, choose a Salesforce record permission level from the drop-down menu.
  7. Below Default list tabs, choose up to three related lists to show as default tabs, if you’d like.
  8. Choose Save to finish.
  1. From your desktop, click your organization name in the sidebar.
  2. Hover over Tools & settings, then click Manage Salesforce Organizations.
  3. Select a Salesforce org.
  4. Click the Channel configurations tab.
  5. Click the   three dots icon next to a Salesforce channel configuration, then click Edit default preferences.
  6. Below Channel privacy, select a default privacy. If you select Limited access, choose a Salesforce record permission level from the drop-down menu.
  7. Below Default list tabs, choose up to three related lists to show as default tabs, if you’d like.
  8. Choose Save to finish.

Note: For more on how privacy for Salesforce channels differs from regular channels, visit Security for Salesforce channels.


Manage Salesforce record previews

When someone shares a Salesforce record in a channel or direct message (DM), a preview will appear containing record details. You can restrict the details that appear in record previews and allow exceptions for certain record object types (like Account or Opportunity) to override these restrictions. Here are the options:

  • Show record details (default)
    Record name, object, and record details (such as Stage or Amount) are shown.
  • Show name and object only
    No additional fields are shown
  • Show object only
    Only the record object type is shown

Note: Record previews are visible to all members of the conversation they appear in, regardless of member permissions in Salesforce. Visit Security for Salesforce channels to learn more about permissions for record previews.

Free, Pro, and Business+ plans

Enterprise plans

  1. From your desktop, click   Admin in the sidebar.
  2. Select Manage Salesforce Organizations from the menu.
  3. Select a Salesforce org.
  4. Click the Settings tab.
  5. Under Record unfurl settings, click Edit.
  6. Choose an unfurl setting from the drop-down menu.
  7. Below Exceptions, choose which record object types to show record details for, if you’d like.
  8. Click Save.
  1. From your desktop, click your organization name in the sidebar.
  2. Hover over Tools & settings, then click Manage Salesforce Organizations.
  3. Select a Salesforce org.
  4. Click the Settings tab.
  5. Under Record unfurl settings, click Edit.
  6. Choose an unfurl setting from the drop-down menu.
  7. Below Exceptions, choose which record object types to show record details for, if you’d like.
  8. Click Save.


Remove Salesforce channel configurations 

If you no longer need a Salesforce channel configuration, coordinate with an Admin in Salesforce to remove it. 

  1. Sign in to Salesforce, then select Setup.
  2. In the Quick Find box, search for and select Slack Channels for Records.
  3. Click the   drop-down icon next to the configured record type, then click Remove Object

Note: Editing or removing a Salesforce channel configuration won’t affect Salesforce channels that have already been created.

Who can use this feature?