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  
Use shortcuts Multi-Channel Guest
Install apps  

* 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

  Owner/Admin Member Guest
Remove people from channels  
Remove people from private channels  
Invite guests to public channels    
Invite Multi-Channel Guests to private channels Multi-Channel Guest
Invite Single-Channel Guests to private channels    
Delete other people's messages    
Send invites to new members  
Send invites to new guests  
Deactivate a member's account    
Set default channels    
Set workspace language    
Set discovery and sign up    
Turn on Approved Apps    
Manage app settings and permissions    
Set name display guidelines    
Change workspace name/URL    
Reset all members' passwords    
Create and edit user groups  
View analytics and usage  
Change full & display names†     
Change an email address    
Change a member's role    
Upgrade to a paid plan  
Change plan type***    
Add a payment method***    
View billing statements    
Choose authentication method    
Export data from public channels    
Export data from conversations (if eligible)    
Transfer primary ownership Primary Owner    
Delete workspace Primary Owner    

*** 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    
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    
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, and archive/unarchive channels
DLP Admin

Manage data loss prevention (DLP) for Slack Connect

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 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!