For staff · Staff who use Slack for team chat and channels
Slack to Microsoft Teams: staff guide
What staff need to know when moving from Slack to Microsoft Teams: which messages move, what stays in Slack, how Teams differs, and ready-to-send emails.
What is different for you
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Chat app | Slack | Microsoft Teams (desktop, phone and https://teams.microsoft.com) |
| Channels | Slack channels in a workspace | Channels inside teams. [CHANNEL MAP LINK] |
| Quick one-to-one and group conversations | Slack direct messages | Teams chats (start fresh, history stays in Slack) |
| Sign-in | Your Slack sign-in | Your [ORGANISATION] Microsoft 365 account |
| Apps and workflows | Slack apps, bots and Workflow Builder | Teams apps and Workflows. [APP PLAN] |
What stays the same
- Messages in the channels being moved, with threads, reactions and file attachments
- Who wrote each message and when. Original authors and dates are kept.
- Channel members
- Canvases and lists in moved channels, which arrive as file attachments
- Nothing is deleted from Slack by the move.
Your checklist
Before the move
- Direct messages and group chats do NOT move to Teams. If you need something from a DM, save it before [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE].
- Private channels: [PRIVATE CHANNEL PLAN].
- Archived channels are not moved. If you need an archived channel, tell [IT CONTACT] by [DATE] so it can be unarchived first.
- Slack Connect channels shared with other organisations are not moved. Agree with your contacts how you will talk after [DATE].
- If you own a Slack workflow, app or webhook that a channel relies on, tell [IT CONTACT] by [DATE]. These are rebuilt in Teams, not moved.
- Install Teams on your computer and phone and sign in with your [ORGANISATION] account.
- Come to a short Teams training session: [TRAINING LINK].
On the day
- From [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE], Slack is read-only. Post new messages in Teams.
- Open Teams and find your channels under Teams. See [CHANNEL MAP LINK] for where each Slack channel went.
- Use Teams chat for quick back-and-forth with one or a few people. Use channel posts and replies for topic discussions.
- Set your notifications in Teams Settings so you hear about what matters to you.
After the move
- Check pinned files and tabs in your channels. Channel owners can add them where needed.
- If a channel link or custom emoji in an old message looks broken, that is expected. Links to other Slack channels and custom emoji reactions are not carried over.
- Ask the owner of a workflow or app to confirm its Teams replacement works.
- Slack stays available to look things up until [SLACK CLOSE DATE].
Questions people ask
Will my direct messages move?
No. Direct messages and group chats stay in Slack, which is readable until [SLACK CLOSE DATE].
Will my channel history move?
Yes, for the channels on the move list. Messages keep their threads, reactions, attachments, author and date.
What about private channels?
[PRIVATE CHANNEL PLAN].
I edited a Slack message after the move. Why has Teams not changed?
Edits, deletions and new replies in Slack after a channel has moved are not copied. Post in Teams instead.
Some file names look different. Why?
A few characters are not allowed in Teams file names, so they are replaced with underscores.
Where did my Slack app go?
Apps and workflows are replaced or rebuilt in Teams. See [APP PLAN] or ask the channel owner.
Can I still use Slack?
You can read it until [SLACK CLOSE DATE]. Please post only in Teams after [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE].
Emails you can send
Announcement (2 weeks before)
Subject: We are moving from Slack to Microsoft Teams on [DATE]
Hi all, On [DATE] we are moving from Slack to Microsoft Teams. What moves: - Messages in the channels on our move list, with threads, reactions, files, authors and dates - Channel members - Private channels: [PRIVATE CHANNEL PLAN] What does not move: - Direct messages and group chats (save anything you need) - Archived channels (tell [IT CONTACT] by [DATE] if you need one) - Slack Connect channels with other organisations - Slack apps and workflows (owners, please contact [IT CONTACT]) Slack becomes read-only on [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE] and stays readable until [SLACK CLOSE DATE]. Please install Teams and book a training session: [TRAINING LINK] Thanks, [SENDER NAME]
Reminder (2 days before)
Subject: Reminder: Slack becomes read-only on [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE]
Hi all, From [SLACK READ-ONLY DATE], Slack will be read-only and we will work in Teams. Before then: - Save anything you need from direct messages. - Install Teams on your computer and phone and sign in with your [ORGANISATION] account. - Check where your channels are going: [CHANNEL MAP LINK] Thanks, [SENDER NAME]
Go-live (the morning of the switch)
Subject: Welcome to Teams: start here
Good morning, From today, please use Microsoft Teams instead of Slack. 1. Open Teams and sign in with your [ORGANISATION] account. 2. Find your channels under Teams. The channel map is here: [CHANNEL MAP LINK] 3. For quick conversations, start a chat. For topic discussions, post in the channel. 4. Set your notifications in Teams Settings. Slack is read-only and stays readable until [SLACK CLOSE DATE]. Need help? [IT CONTACT] on [PHONE OR CHAT]. Thanks, [SENDER NAME]
Completion
Subject: Our move to Teams is complete
Hi all, The move from Slack to Teams is complete. Thanks for your patience. Slack will be closed on [SLACK CLOSE DATE]. If you still need something from Slack, including direct messages, save it before then. If a channel or file is missing in Teams, tell [IT CONTACT]. Thanks, [SENDER NAME]