How to search in Slack for relevant messages and files on your computer or mobile device

Not being able to find what you're looking for is frustrating, whether you've misplaced your phone or you're dealing with a simplistic virtual search feature.

If you use Slack, however, you can rest easy: The platform's search function applies to messages, as well as phrases mentioned in documents, files or tweets that have been integrated into your team. 

So you should be able to find what you're looking for — if you take full advantage of the powerful search tool.

Here's how.

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How to search in Slack on a computer 

For a basic search, start here:

1. Open Slack and navigate to the correct workspace, if necessary.

2. Click into the search bar at the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Enter your query and then hit "Enter."

From there, you'd be able to view the search results, or further refine your search parameters using the menu on the right side of the pop-up.

There are also shortcuts you may wish to use.

• For example, to search the channel you're currently viewing, type "Ctrl+F" if you're on a PC or "Command + F" if on a Mac, to limit your search to that particular channel.
• If you want to specify a multi-word query, rather than getting back slack messages with any of the words in your search, you'd simply put quotations around that query. So as an example, you'd enter "writing prompt" to exclude entries that only have either 'writing' or 'prompt.'
• Another useful option is the "has:[X]" function. So if you insert the word "star" or "link" into that search option, you'd see the messages and files which are either starred or have a link. The same goes for the "from:[user]" command.

How to search in Slack on a mobile device 

1. Open the Slack app and log into your workspace, if necessary.

2. Tap the search icon.

3. Tap into the search bar again and enter your query, then tap the search button.

You'd then see a list of matches appear, sorted into messages and files, and you'd be able to change the order from oldest to newest or vice versa.

Unfortunately, there is not a way to access that powerful advanced search option that you'd get on the desktop version. But remember: Those search commands still work on the mobile version of Slack. So you can use those to help narrow down your matches and find whatever it is that you're looking for.

Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:

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• How to make a Slack channel private if it's public, or create a new private channel

• How to leave a Slack workspace in 2 simple steps

• How to delete a Slack channel to keep your workspace organized

• How to archive a Slack channel on a computer or mobile device