How to use GIPHY in Slack

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Sure, you probably use Slack for work, and it’s usually reserved for professional communication. But even when you’re talking to your colleagues or your boss on the platform, sometimes there’s no better way to express yourself than with a GIF from the GIPHY app.

GIFs can make everyday conversations more engaging and entertaining, so why not use them in Slack too? And because Slack is a well-integrated platform, you can easily onboard them in just a few steps.

Read our article to learn how to use GIPHY GIFs in Slack on different devices.

GIPHY and Slack integration

GIPHY is the easiest way to add GIFs to your Slack conversations. The app may already be integrated into this virtual office, so you won’t need to do anything complicated to start sending GIFs. And if not, it can be installed in seconds.

The best thing is that you can use any device to set everything up.

How to use GIPHY in Slack on iPhone

You have an Iphone? Here’s how to post GIFs using GIPHY.

1. Sign in to your Slack account and launch the app on your iPhone.
   
2. Select a channel or a personal chat with a coworker you want to send a GIF to.
   
3. Tap the message field at the bottom to start typing.
   
4. Write the following: /giphy
   
5. The command line will turn black and read [text].
   
6. If you haven’t already, type a random word and then tap the blue arrow in the bar below the message field.
   
7. A random GIF will be displayed based on the word you typed.
   
8. Choose whether you want to send that GIF, scroll to find another one, or cancel.

How to use GIPHY in Slack on Android

Android users can post GIFs to their Slack conversations in a similar way. Choose a channel, type the /giphy command and the theme of your GIF. Find a suitable one using the random option and when you’re happy with the preview, post the GIF to the channel.

There is another way to send GIFs to your coworkers. Depending on your keyboard, you may be able to use it to generate even more GIFs. For example, if you have the Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard, you have the GIF button at the top, above the number keys. Tap that button and use the magnifying glass icon to search for the desired GIF and tap it to send it to the channel or chat.

How to use GIPHY in Slack on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook

If you’re using Slack on your computer, you probably already know that there is a desktop app for this management tool. You can access your workspace through this app or log in with a web browser.

Whichever method you decide to use, the steps are the same, so it’s entirely your choice.

1. Sign in to your Slack workspace using the desktop app or a browser.
   
2. Select a channel or personal chat to send a GIF.
   
3. In the message field, type /giphy.
   
4. A new menu will appear and you will find GIPHY listed. Click Find and share a GIF with GIPHY.
   
5. In the pop-up window, select the search field and enter a word to search for GIFs based on it.
   
6. Click Look for.
   
7. A random GIF will appear. You can click Shuffle at the top of the window to search for another GIF or Share at the bottom if you’re happy with that one.
   
8. If you want to change the recipient of the GIF, click the drop-down list below the GIF to select another person or channel.
   

How to use GIPHY preview in Slack

There is no particular set of steps to follow to preview GIFs in Slack. When you go to GIPHY, you’ll see a preview of each GIF before you send it. In the pop-up window where your GIF is displayed, you can choose to send it or continue browsing with the “Random” button.

If for some reason you don’t see previews of your GIFs, do the following.

1. Sign in to your Slack workspace.
   
2. Select the workspace name in the upper left corner.
   
3. Scroll to Administration and choose Manage applications.
   
4. You will be redirected to a new page and see all the installed applications.
   
5. Click on GIPHY.
   
6. Scroll down and you will find the Enable GIPHY previews option. Check the box in front of it.
   
7. Click on Save integration to maintain the changes.
   

How to manage GIPHY in Slack

Suppose you want to manage GIPHY within your Slack workspace, temporarily disable it or even remove it from the tool. In that case, you can do it by following these instructions.

1. Open your workspace and click your name in the top left corner of the screen.
   
2. Gonna Administration and then Manage applications.
   
3. From the list of built-in applications, select GIPHY.
   
4. At the top you will see Deactivate and Eliminate options.
   
5. Select one of them depending on what you want to do. If you’re not the workspace administrator, make sure you have permission to do so.
   
6. In the pop-up window, confirm your choice.
   
7. You can also scroll and change the maximum rating of GIFs recovered from GIPHY. You have options like General hearings and Parental Guidance.
   
8. Click on the green Save integration at the bottom to save the changes you have made.
   

How to set up the GIPHY integration in Slack

If GIPHY isn’t already set up in your Slack app, here’s how to do it.

1. Sign in to your Slack workspace.
   
2. Go to the left side of the screen to click the name of your workspace.
   
3. In the new menu, choose Administration and then click Manage applications.
   
4. You will see a Search application directory field at the top. Get into gifi in the field and press Get into on your keyboard.
   
5. Click the app in the results, and on the new page, click add to slack.
   

This way, you can connect any app to your Slack workspace and use it to improve your experience and productivity.

Additional FAQs

How to send a GIF to GIPHY?

Not satisfied with the GIFs available in the app? Do you want to create custom ones that fit your team and use them in Slack? There is an easy way to do this with the GIPHY app or website.

1) Create a GIPHY account and log in.

2) Drag and drop the desired GIF onto the Increase window.

3) Select Add tags to your GIFs, so you can find them. If you are not the creator, be sure to add the URL by clicking Add a source URL.

4) Set the privacy settings to Public so everyone can see your GIFs.

5) Select Increase to conclude and enjoy sharing your GIFs with your team.

Lively conversations in your workspace

Sometimes you can say more with a GIF than a full sentence. GIFs can be fun and liven up any conversation. Do you need to encourage your coworkers? Find funny, relatable GIFs to make them laugh.