28

When I use the search box built into Slack, I'm presented with a choice of what channels to include in the search, but the most limited choice I can make there is "Include: only messages from channels that I have opened". This is very inconvenient considering 99% of times I know very well which channel (or "DM channel") the message is in (usually it's a "DM channel").

How do I search in a single channel (which may be a "DM channel")?

Note: I don't know if there's an official name for "DM channels", I use this term to mean "the space where I exchange messages with a single person".

4 Answers 4

38

Found the answer in the Slack docs.

The solution is to add the text in:someChannel or in:someUser to your search query.

2
  • 1
    This isn't working for me. I'm searching for works which I can literally see in the channel, and the search results are coming up empty
    – jon_simon
    Jul 5, 2018 at 18:52
  • Same here, I got no results when I specify channel Mar 7, 2019 at 12:59
3

The channel name should be preceded by the channel type character.

EG;

To find messages with text Hello in the personal channel Jake the search would be Hello in:@Jake

To find messages with text Hello in the group channel General the search would be Hello in:#General

2

When you are in the channel in which you want to search, just use Command+F on MacOS or Ctrl+F on other operating systems. It will pre-populate the search field with in:#<channel-name> for you.

Otherwise, you need to type it manually, which also works but less convenient.

1
  • 1
    I use slack in chrome. Ctrl+F open the search popup of the web browser. It would be cool to have a quick way to search in the current channel only.
    – guettli
    Feb 7, 2020 at 10:37
0

Now you can change that in the Preferences > Advanced > "Ctrl F starts a Slack search" and it will override the normal browser search behavior.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.