Slack forms explained: collect data directly in Slack

Tired of messy Slack threads when trying to collect information from your team or customers?

Slack forms help you gather the right details in the right format—all without leaving Slack. Whether it’s for internal tickets or customer requests, forms keep things clear, trackable, and actionable.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• How Slack forms collect structured data inside Slack

• The easiest ways to trigger and use forms

• Why Thena is the #1 Slack-native tool for smart form intake

Let’s walk through how Slack forms work, and why they’re so useful.

What is a Slack form?

A Slack form is a structured way to collect information from users directly inside Slack. Unlike freeform messages or emoji reactions, a Slack form prompts users to fill out specific fields, such as dropdowns, text boxes, or checklists, ensuring the information you collect is complete, consistent, and easy to act on.

Slack forms are most commonly used to:

• Submit IT or support tickets

• Gather employee feedback

• Collect customer requests or feature ideas

• Standardize information intake during conversations

Ways to collect Slack forms

There are a few different ways to collect structured form submissions inside Slack—some are built into Slack’s ecosystem, while others rely on external tools or integrations. Basic methods like slash commands are widely supported, but more flexible options (like triggering a form from a message or emoji) require a purpose-built tool.

A B2B customer support solution like Thena is a perfect example. It gives teams multiple ways to launch and manage forms inside Slack—all optimized for speed, context, and real-time workflows.

Here are the different ways you can collect form submissions in Slack, including what’s possible with Thena:

Using a slash command

Perhaps the simplest way to launch a Slack form is by using a slash command. Users can open a form instantly by typing a command like /ticket in Slack. This opens a modal with predefined fields where users can describe their issue or request.

• Works well for repeatable requests

• Easy to train teams on

• Fully customizable by team, topic, or urgency

Using emoji reactions

Another way to trigger a Slack form is through emoji reactions. If someone reacts to a message with a specific emoji, like 🔧 for a bug or 🆘 for an urgent issue, Thena can launch a form that turns that message into a structured request.

This is a powerful option when requests surface in the middle of a conversation. Instead of asking the user to rephrase or copy/paste into another tool, an agent or teammate can simply react to the message, and Thena handles the rest.

Using @mentions and keywords

Forms can also be triggered when someone uses an @mention or specific keyword in a Slack message. For example, if a customer types “@support I’m having trouble logging in,” Thena can automatically respond with a relevant form that collects more details, like account name, error type, and urgency level.

This method is especially helpful in Slack Connect channels or any space where customers and teammates interact in real time. Instead of relying on someone to notice the message and follow up, Thena can proactively prompt the right form and ensure the information gets captured.

What are the use cases for Slack forms?

Slack forms are versatile enough to support a wide range of use cases across both internal and external workflows. By giving teams a structured way to capture requests, feedback, or issues inside Slack, forms help reduce follow-ups, standardize intake, and improve response time.

For internal teams:

• IT helpdesk requests and hardware issues

• HR inquiries or people ops requests

• Engineering bug reports or infrastructure alerts

• Security incident reporting

• Facilities requests (e.g., office access or equipment)

Examples of external use cases:

• Customer support tickets

• Feature requests from clients

• Partner onboarding

• Account change or escalation requests

Benefits of Slack forms

As you can see, Slack forms can be used to collect information internally and externally. But beyond just collecting data, they also create structure, reduce noise, and help teams move faster inside Slack.

Here are some of the key benefits of using Slack forms:

• Standardized requests, every time: Forms guide users to provide the right details, so you’re not chasing down missing context later.

• Fewer follow-ups, faster resolution: With all the necessary information captured upfront, teams can start working on the request immediately.

• Keeps everything inside Slack: Users don’t need to switch tools or open a separate form tool. Everything happens right where the conversation is already happening.

• Smart automation and routing: With tools like Thena, form submissions can trigger workflows, assign tickets, or route requests to the right team automatically.

Best tools for Slack forms

If you’re looking to build and collect forms inside Slack, several tools can help, from Slack’s built-in options to more advanced platforms like Thena.

Slack workflow builder

Slack’s built-in Workflow Builder lets you create simple forms using templates. You can collect responses, send them to a channel, and even pipe them into a Google Sheet.

• Works well for basic use cases

• Great for feedback, team check-ins, or lightweight tracking

• Limited routing, visibility, and automation features

Slack Forms (Slack marketplace app)

The Slack Forms app, available in the Slack Marketplace, offers a lightweight way to create and manage forms entirely within Slack. You can trigger forms via slash commands or keywords, and responses are posted directly in the channel.

• Supports multiple input types (text, date, user, channel selectors)

• Lets you manage forms without leaving Slack

• Ideal for teams that want quick form-based intake without complex routing

• Not a full ticketing or automation solution

Thena

Thena is a B2B AI customer platform, with the best native Slack integration out there. It provides the most robust form builder for Slack. With support for over 30 fields, from basic text inputs to complex conditional logic, Thena makes it incredibly easy to capture customer and internal data at scale, tailored exactly to how your team operates and reports.

Unlike tools like Slack Workflow Builder or lightweight apps from the Slack Marketplace, Thena goes beyond simple data collection. While those tools are capable of collecting basic information and feedback, they don’t have the advanced routing, field-level permissions, automation, and ticket management that Thena offers.

With Thena, you can:

• Launch forms via slash commands, emoji triggers, or keywords

• Auto-route submissions into tickets for internal or external teams

• Integrate forms into Slack, web chat, customer portals, or API flows

• Capture structured data and sync it in real time across your support stack

What truly sets Thena apart from other tools is its flexibility when it comes to custom fields. You’re not limited to just text inputs. In fact, Thena supports a wide range of field types, including:

• Number fields such as integers, decimals, and currencies

• Date and time pickers for accurate scheduling and timestamping

• Choice fields like dropdowns, multi-selects, radio buttons, and checkboxes

• Specialized fields, including file uploads, email, phone number, URL, IP address, and even regex or password inputs

• Advanced fields such as calculated values, lookups, and toggle/Boolean switches

In short, Thena offers the most robust forms that are easy to tailor to your specific workflows, however complicated they really are.

Wrapping up

Slack forms are a powerful way to collect structured information where work already happens. Whether you're supporting internal teams or external customers, using the right tools can make the process faster, more organized, and easier to manage. Thena offers the most complete solution for teams that rely on Slack for real-time requests and structured workflows. 

👉 If you're ready to simplify how your team collects and manages requests in Slack, give Thena a try for free.

FAQs

Can I create a Slack form without using Workflow Builder?

Yes. While Slack’s Workflow Builder is the most common native option, you can also create forms using third-party tools like Thena, the Slack Forms app, or custom integrations.

What happens after someone submits a form in Slack?

That depends on the tool you're using. In Thena, submissions create structured tickets with full visibility and routing. In other tools, responses may just be sent to a channel or saved in a spreadsheet.

What makes Thena better than other Slack form tools?

Thena is designed specifically for teams that rely on Slack to manage internal operations or external customer support. Unlike basic form tools or integrations, Thena is fully Slack-native and built for real-time workflows. It lets you create forms with advanced field logic, set visibility rules, and trigger automation based on responses. Form submissions instantly generate structured tickets that can be routed, tagged, and tracked—all without your needing to switch platforms. This makes Thena a complete intake and triage system, not just a data collection tool.

Does Slack have built-in forms?

Yes, Slack has a basic way to create forms using Workflow Builder. With it, you can design simple forms that collect information like text inputs or multiple-choice responses, and then send those submissions to a Slack channel or Google Sheet. However, Slack’s built-in forms are limited — they don’t offer advanced features like conditional fields, automation, or ticket routing. For more complex workflows, teams often rely on third-party Slack form apps such as Thena.

Can you make a Google Form work in Slack?

Yes. You can share a Google Form link directly in a Slack channel or DM, and teammates can fill it out from their browser. Responses are collected in Google Sheets as usual. However, this approach forces users to leave Slack and doesn’t feel native. If you want forms to stay inside Slack, you’ll need a dedicated Slack forms app like Thena, which keeps the entire request process within Slack and integrates seamlessly with your workflows.

What is the best Slack forms app?

The best Slack forms app depends on your needs. For simple surveys or feedback, Slack Workflow Builder or the Slack Forms app from the marketplace may be enough. But for teams managing IT tickets, customer support, or structured intake at scale, Thena is the most powerful option. It supports over 30+ field types, advanced routing rules, automation, and real-time ticketing — all fully native to Slack. That makes it the best choice for businesses that rely on Slack for daily operations and customer communication.