Do any of your Slack channels feel a bit stale? Have the topics and conversations drifted over time? As an admin responsible for multiple busy workspaces, I‘ve renamed my fair share of channels to keep things organized.
In this step-by-step guide, I‘ll show you everything you need to know about changing a channel‘s name in Slack.
By the end, you‘ll be able to:
- Check if you have the right permissions to edit channel names
- Follow Slack‘s channel naming rules
- Quickly update channel names from desktop or mobile
- Troubleshoot issues or errors with renaming channels
Trust me, being able to freshen up those channel names makes a huge difference in keeping your teams coordinated and your workstreams flowing!
When Would You Want to Change a Channel Name?
Before we jump into the how-to, let‘s explore a few common reasons you may want to change the name of a Slack channel:
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The channel‘s purpose has evolved over time – Maybe that #random channel isn‘t so random anymore and needs a more descriptive name like #watercooler or #office-chat for employee bonding.
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The original name contains a typo – We‘re all human. If the name needs a quick correction, just tweak it!
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A team, project or product was renamed – If something your channel was named after changes in the real world, you likely want to reflect that in Slack too.
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To archive old channels without losing history – By changing names instead of deleting, you canarchive stagnant channels while still retaining access to old messages.
These are just a few examples – there are dozens more use cases where changing a name can help keep your digital workspaces aligned with the real work happening.
Do You Have Permission to Change Channel Names?
Before making any name changes, you first need to make sure you actually have permission to edit channel settings in your workspace.
By default, the ability to manage channels – including changing names – lies with workspace owners and admins only.
Here‘s a breakdown of the default permissions for various Slack user roles:
| User Role | Can Rename Channels | Can Change Other Channel Settings |
|---|---|---|
| Workspace Owner | Yes | Yes |
| Admin | Yes | Yes |
| Channel Creator | No | No |
| Member | No | No |
| Single-Channel Guest | No | No |
| Multi-Channel Guest | No | No |
*Owners can grant rename privileges to other users (or an entire custom role) via the workspace permissions page. As an admin, ask an owner if you require rename access for certain channels.
And if you need to change a channel name but don‘t have permission, request an owner/admin make the change or give you single-channel permissions.
Now that access is sorted, let‘s talk about naming…
Slack Channel Naming Rules and Limits
Before renaming a channel, it helps to know Slack‘s rules around channel names:
- Lowercase letters only
- No spaces or special symbols
- 80 characters max
So while #MarketingEvents2022! would make for an excitable channel name, Slack would format it as marketingevents2022!
My advice? Keep names simple, avoid duplicates if possible, and use abbreviations if you need to slim down lengthy names.
With those key details covered, you‘re ready to rename! Let‘s step through the process…
How to Change a Slack Channel Name in 3 Easy Steps
Slack makes it super simple to change an existing channel‘s name right from your desktop or mobile app. Just follow these three steps:
Step 1: Navigate to the Channel
Click on the channel you want to rename in the left-side channel browser of your Slack workspace:
This will open the channel so you can edit the settings.
Step 2: Open Channel Details
Next, open the channel details menu by clicking on the ⋮ dropdown next to the current channel name and selecting View channel details:
This will reveal options to manage members, purpose, topics and – most importantly – the name.
Step 3: Edit Name and Save Changes
Now simply click the current name, type your new preferred name, and hit enter to save:
Once saved, the channel name will update across all connected devices for any users that have access. Nice and easy!
Pro tip: you can also access the channel details by right-clicking the name in the channels list.
And if you want to see the process in action, here‘s a quick video walkthrough:
When the Name Change Doesn‘t Save…
If your renamed channel reverts or you get an error trying to change it, don‘t panic! Here are a few things to check:
- Are you an admin or owner? Double check your workspace permissions if not.
- Did you follow the formatting rules? Check for spaces or capital letters.
- Is the new name too long? Try shortening to under 80 characters.
- Are you connected to the internet? Connection issues could interrupt the save process.
Still having trouble? Reach out to a workspace owner. They can troubleshoot or improve your access permissions if needed.
And those are all the essentials for changing a channel name in Slack! Let‘s recap what we learned…
Key Takeaways: Renaming Slack Channels like a Pro
- Check your admin permissions before attempting channel edits
- Know Slack‘s rules for formatting channel names
- Click the channel details menu to access name editing
- Save your changes once the new name is typed in
Understanding how channels work is so crucial for effectively using Slack. Here are a few more guides if you want to level up your Slack admin skills:
- Learn how to archive channels without losing history
- Dig into advanced channel management strategies
- Compare the top Slack alternatives 2022
Now that you know how to freshen up stale channel names, how do you plan on using your new renaming powers? Any troublesome names you‘ve been excited to finally change? Let me know if you have any other questions!
