A quick reference for using the Slack desktop app with JAWS or NVDA on Windows, or VoiceOver on the Mac. It covers moving around Slack, reading and writing messages, threads and huddles.
These shortcuts are for the Slack desktop app, which Slack recommends over a web browser for screen reader users. Where Windows and Mac differ, both are shown. With JAWS or NVDA, Slack works best in forms mode or focus mode rather than the virtual cursor or browse mode. You can change how Slack reads messages under Preferences, then Accessibility.
Getting around
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Move to the next section of the Slack window | F6 |
| Move to the previous section | Shift + F6 |
| Move between items within a section | Tab, Shift + Tab or the arrow keys |
| Jump to a channel or direct message by name (type the name, then press Enter) | Windows: Control + K. Mac: Command + K |
| Move to the next or previous conversation in the sidebar | Windows: Alt + Down Arrow or Alt + Up Arrow. Mac: Option + Down Arrow or Option + Up Arrow |
| Move to the next or previous unread conversation | Windows: Alt + Shift + Down Arrow or Alt + Shift + Up Arrow. Mac: Option + Shift + Down Arrow or Option + Shift + Up Arrow |
| Open All unreads | Windows: Control + Shift + A. Mac: Command + Shift + A |
Reading messages
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Move to the next or previous message | Down Arrow or Up Arrow |
| Jump to the first unread message | Windows: Control + J. Mac: Command + J |
| Move to the oldest or most recent message | Home or End |
| Move up or down a page of messages | Page Up or Page Down |
| Move to the previous or next day's messages | Windows: Shift + Page Up or Shift + Page Down. Mac: Fn + Shift + Up Arrow or Fn + Shift + Down Arrow |
| Move through links and attachments in a message | Tab |
| Hear one of the last 10 messages again | Windows: Alt + a number from 0 to 9. Mac: Command + Option + a number from 0 to 9 |
Writing messages and marking as read
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Send your message | Enter on Windows, Return on the Mac |
| Start a new line without sending | Windows: Shift + Enter. Mac: Shift + Return |
| Start a new message | Windows: Control + N. Mac: Command + N |
| Mark the current conversation as read | Escape |
| Mark all messages as read | Shift + Escape |
Working with a message
Move to a message with the arrow keys first. These single keys then act on that message.
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Edit a message you sent | E |
| Delete a message you sent | Delete |
| Add an emoji reaction | R |
| Save the message for later, or unsave it | A |
| Pin or unpin the message | P |
| Mark the message as unread | U |
| Set a reminder about the message | M |
| Forward the message | F |
| Open the message actions menu (Windows) | Applications key (also called the Menu key) |
Threads
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Open the thread for the current message | Right Arrow or T |
| Read the replies in a thread | Down Arrow |
| Go back from the thread to the main conversation | Left Arrow |
| Move between the thread and the rest of Slack | F6 or Shift + F6 |
Search, huddles and settings
| To do this | Press |
|---|
| Search Slack | Windows: Control + G. Mac: Command + G |
| Search the current conversation | Windows: Control + F. Mac: Command + F |
| Start, join or leave a huddle | Windows: Control + Shift + H. Mac: Command + Shift + H |
| Mute or unmute yourself in a huddle | Windows: Control + Shift + Space. Mac: Command + Shift + Space |
| Open Preferences, including Accessibility settings | Windows: Control + Comma. Mac: Command + Comma |
| Show all keyboard shortcuts | Windows: Control + /. Mac: Command + / |
Tip: press Control + / (Command + / on the Mac) to open Slack's full shortcut list. Slack changes its layout from time to time, so if a shortcut stops working, check that list first. If a JAWS or NVDA command clashes with Slack, make sure you are in forms mode or focus mode.
