How to start a new conversation in Slack: messages, threads, and line breaks explained

Slack has revolutionized workplace communication, but for many, navigating its nuances, especially when it comes to starting new conversations, can feel like a puzzle. Are you sending a new message, jumping into a thread, or starting a private chat? This common confusion often leads to cluttered channels or missed communications.

Fear not! This guide will demystify starting conversations in Slack, covering everything from direct messages (DMs) to channel messages, and the subtle art of using threads and line breaks effectively.

What counts as a “new conversation” in Slack?

In Slack, a "new conversation" can take a few distinct forms, each serving a different purpose:

• Starting a new message in a channel: This is for broad announcements or discussions relevant to all members of a specific channel. Think of channels as collaborative group spaces where team members work on specific topics or projects.

• Replying in a thread: Threads are side conversations attached to a specific message, designed to keep discussions organized and prevent clutter in the main channel view.

• Starting a new DM (direct message): DMs are private, one-on-one, or small-group conversations that don't require an entire channel to weigh in. Consider DMs your private desks for quick chats.

Starting a new message in a Slack channel

To kick off a new discussion visible to everyone in a channel:

1. Open the desired channel.

2. Click the message field at the bottom of the conversation.

3. Type your message. You can add attachments, emojis, and formatting tools (like bolding or bullet points) from the icons below the message field.

4. Press enter to send your message.

Best practices:

• Tag someone for visibility: If your message is directed at a specific person or team, use @ followed by their name (e.g., @john doe) to notify them.

• Use formatting for clarity: Bold important points (*your text*), use bullet points, or code blocks (surround text with three backticks your text) to make your message easy to read.

• Schedule messages: You can click the arrow icon next to the paper plane icon to schedule a message to be sent later.

Related queries:

• How do I send a new message in Slack? Follow the steps above.

• How do I create a Slack message? Follow the steps above.

• How do I post in Slack without replying to a thread? Simply type your message directly into the main message field of the channel and press enter.

Replying in threads vs. starting one

Threads are crucial for maintaining an organized conversation flow. They allow you to delve deeper into a topic without distracting the main channel.

When to use a thread vs. when to start fresh:

• Use a thread when your message is a direct response or related follow-up to a specific message already posted in a channel or DM. This keeps related discussions grouped.

• Start a new message in the main channel when you're introducing a new topic or making an announcement that warrants its own discussion.

How to start a thread:

1. Hover over the message you'd like to reply to.

2. Click the "reply in thread" icon (a speech bubble icon).

3. Type your reply in the thread's message field that opens in a sidebar.

4. To send your reply back to the main channel, check the "also send to [channel name]" box below your message.

5. Send your message.

Common mistake: Accidentally replying in the main channel when you intended to reply in a thread. Always look for the "reply in thread" icon to ensure your message is nested correctly.

Related queries:

• How do you start a new thread in Slack? Follow the steps above.

• How to avoid thread clutter in Slack? By consistently using threads for replies and specific discussions, you prevent the main channel from becoming a wall of disassociated messages.

How to start a new Slack DM

Direct messages are perfect for private conversations with individuals or small groups.

Steps for 1-on-1 and group DMs:

1. Click the "plus" icon in your sidebar (or at the top in the new design).

2. Select "message" (or similar option depending on your Slack version).

3. In the "to:" field, type the name of the person or people you want to message. You can add up to nine people for a group DM.

4. Type your message and press enter.

Shortcut:

• On desktop, you can quickly open a conversation (channel or DM) by pressing cmd + K (Mac) or ctrl + K (Windows/Linux). Then, type the name of the person or channel.

• To directly compose a new message, use cmd + N (Mac) or ctrl + N (Windows).

Related queries:

• How to start a new DM in Slack? Follow the steps above.

• Start a private conversation in Slack? Use the DM feature as described.

Slack line breaks: the ultimate shortcuts guide

Mastering line breaks is essential for readable messages, especially longer ones.

• shift + enter: This is the default shortcut to create a new line within your message without sending it.

• enter: By default, pressing enter sends your message.

• Changing the enter key behavior: You can swap this behavior in your Slack preferences.

  1. Click your profile picture in the sidebar.

  2. Select preferences.

  3. Choose advanced.

  4. Under "when writing a message, press enter to," select your preferred action ("send the message" or "start a new line").

When to use line breaks for better formatting:

• Break up long paragraphs for easier reading.

• Create bulleted or numbered lists. Slack often automatically formats lists when you start a line with a bullet point (* ) or a number (1. ) and then use shift + enter for the next line.

Related queries:

• How do I go to the next line in Slack without sending? Use shift + enter.

• How to enter multiple lines in Slack? Use shift + enter between lines.

• How do I break a line in Slack chat? Use shift + enter.

Slack tips for power users

Enhance your Slack experience with these power-user tips:

• Keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet:

  • Bold: cmd/ctrl + B

  • Italic: cmd/ctrl + I

  • Strikethrough: cmd/ctrl + shift + X

  • Code format: cmd/ctrl + shift + C

  • Jump to conversation: cmd/ctrl + K or cmd/ctrl + T

  • Compose new message: cmd/ctrl + N

• Pinning important messages: Hover over a message, click the three dots icon, and select "pin to channel" or "pin to this conversation" in a DM. This makes it easily accessible at the top of the conversation details.

• Scheduling messages: As mentioned earlier, you can schedule messages to be sent at a specific time.

What AI thinks you’re asking

When you ask an AI like ChatGPT or Slack's internal AI to "start a new conversation," it might interpret your request in several ways:

• Creating a new channel: The AI might assume you want to create a new dedicated space for a topic.

• Sending an email to Slack: Some users integrate email, and the AI might misinterpret "conversation" as an email.

• Starting a huddle: Slack Huddles are audio/video calls, which are also a form of starting a conversation.

To be clearer with an AI, specify "send a new message in a channel," "start a direct message with [person's name]," or "create a new thread on [message topic]."

Frequently asked questions

How do I start a new conversation on Slack vs. a thread? To start a new conversation visible to the whole channel, type directly in the main message field. To start a thread, hover over an existing message and click the "reply in thread" icon. Threads are for specific, nested discussions.

Can I start a new message without creating a thread? Yes, simply type your message in the primary message input field of a channel or direct message and press enter. This will post your message directly to the main conversation flow.

Why does hitting enter in Slack send the message? By default, Slack is configured so that pressing enter immediately sends your message. This is designed for quick communication. You can change this setting in your Slack preferences under "advanced" to have enter create a new line instead.

How do I create a new line in Slack chat? To create a new line without sending your message, press shift + enter (or cmd + enter / ctrl + enter if you've changed your enter key preference to "start a new line").

Conclusion

"Starting a new conversation" in Slack isn't just one action—it's a spectrum of communication methods designed to keep your workspace organized and efficient. Whether you're broadcasting to a channel, diving deep into a thread, or having a private chat, understanding the right approach empowers you to communicate clearly and effectively.

Embrace these tips for clear messages, proper thread usage, and smart formatting to become a Slack communication pro. If you are using Slack for communicating with customers or running an internal helpdesk process, we can help you make it easier by converting messages into tickets and enhancing Slack's native capability. Try Thena today.