How to Use GIPHY in Slack

Sure, you probably use Slack for work, and it’s typically reserved for professional communication. But even when talking to your colleagues or boss on the platform, sometimes there isn’t a 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 since Slack is a well-integrated platform, you can easily incorporate them in just a few steps.

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

GIPHY and Slack Integration

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

The best thing is you can use any device to set it all up.

How to Use GIPHY in Slack on iPhone

Do you have an iPhone? Here’s how to post GIFs using GIPHY.

1. Log in to your Slack account and launch the app on your iPhone.
   
2. Select a channel or a personal chat with a coworker to whom you want to send a GIF.
   
3. Tap on the message field at the bottom to start typing.
   
4. Type in the following: /giphy
   
5. The command line will turn black and read [text].
   
6. If you haven’t done so yet, type in a random word and then tap the blue arrow in the bar below the message field.
   
7. A random GIF will display based on the word you’ve typed.
   
8. Choose if 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 manner. Choose a channel, type in the /giphy command, and the topic for your GIF. Find an adequate one using the shuffle option and when you’re happy with the preview, post the GIF to the channel.

There’s another way to send GIFs to your coworkers. Depending on your keyboard, you might 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 on 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 there’s a desktop app for this management tool. You can access your workspace via this app or log in using a web browser.

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

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

How to Use GIPHY Preview in Slack

There isn’t a particular set of steps to take to preview GIFs in Slack. When you go to GIPHY, you will see a preview for every GIF before you send it. In the pop-up window where your GIF is displayed, you can choose to send it or keep browsing with the “Shuffle” button.

If, for any 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 apps.
   
4. You’ll be redirected to a new page and see all the installed apps.
   
5. Click on GIPHY.
   
6. Scroll down, and you’ll find the Enable GIPHY previews option. Check the box in front of it.
   
7. Click on Save Integration to keep the changes.
   

How to Manage GIPHY in Slack

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

1. Open your workspace and click on its name in the top left corner of the screen.
   
2. Go to Administration and then Manage apps.
   
3. From the list of integrated apps, select GIPHY.
   
4. At the top, you’ll see Disable and Remove options.
   
5. Select one of them depending on what you want to do. If you’re not the workspace administrator, make sure you have the permission to do it.
   
6. In the pop-up window, confirm your choice.
   
7. You can also scroll drown and change the maximum rating of the GIFs retrieved from GIPHY. You have options such as General Audiences and Parental Guidance.
   
8. Click on the green Save Integration button at the bottom to save the changes you’ve made.
   

How to Set Up GIPHY Integration in Slack

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

1. Log in to your Slack workspace.
   
2. Go to the left side of the screen to click on your workspace name.
   
3. From the new menu, choose Administration and then click on Manage Apps.
   
4. You’ll see a Search App Directory field at the top. Enter Giphy in the field and press Enter on your keyboard.
   
5. Click on the app in the results, and on the new page, click Add to Slack.
   

This way, you can connect any apps to your Slack workspace and use them to enhance your experience and productivity.

Additional FAQs

How to Submit a GIF to GIPHY?

Not happy with the GIFs available on the app? Do you want to create personalized ones to fit your team and use it on Slack? There’s a simple way to do so with the GIPHY app or website.

1) Create a GIPHY account and log in.

2) Drag and drop the desired GIF to the Upload window.

3) Select Add Tags to your GIFs, so you’re able to find them. If you’re not the creator, make sure you add the URL by clicking Add a Source URL.

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

5) Select Upload to wrap things up and enjoy sharing your GIFs with your team.

Lively Conversations in Your Workspace

Sometimes, you can say more with one GIF than a whole sentence. GIFs can be funny and can make any conversation lively. Need to cheer up your coworkers? Browse for funny and relatable GIFs to make them laugh.

The Slack team had this in mind when they made GIPHY available across workspaces. Have you and your colleagues already tried it? Do you think you’ll find some good ones to describe everyone on the team? Let us know in the comments section below.