How to Use GIPHY in Slack

Rule the response with Slack GIFs for coworkers

by
Robert Wells
Robert Earl Wells III
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Robert Wells is a professional writer and amateur game developer. His specialties include web development, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity.
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Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on September 11, 2020

GIFs can lighten up the mood during serious online conversations, which makes them especially popular in virtual workspaces like Slack. Here'sn how to use Giphy in Slack to share GIFs with colleagues.

Instructions in this article apply to the web version of Slack and the desktop versions for Windows and Mac.

A man using Slack with Giphy while lounging on a couch.
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How to Add Giphy to Slack

Slack now supports direct integration with Giphy, so anyone can send GIFs once the Giphy app is added to your workspace. To enable Giphy in Slack:

  1. Select Apps in the top-left corner of Slack.

    Select Apps in the top-left corner of Slack.

  2. Type giphy in the search bar, then select Add under Giphy when it shows up.

    Type giphy in the search bar, then select Add under Giphy when it shows up.

  3. The Giphy app page will open in your default web browser. Select Add to Slack.

    Select Add to Slack on the Giphy app page.

  4. Select Add Giphy Integration on the next page.

    Select Add Giphy Integration on the next page.

  5. Configure the Giphy settings, then select Save Integration.

    Configure the Giphy settings, select Save Integration.

How to Send a GIF on Slack 

To post a GIF in Slack, type /giphy followed by a word or phrase and press Enter or Return. For example:

  1. Enter /giphy hello.

    Enter /giphy hello.

  2. A random GIF will appear in the conversation window. Select Send or Shuffle to get another random GIF.

    Select Send or Shuffle to get another random GIF.

    Other users won't see your GIF until you select Send.

  3. When you find the GIF you want to send, select Send and it will be posted to the Slack channel you're using.

Slack Giphy Commands

You can also use these commands in Slack to get GIFs:

  • /giphy #caption phrase: Find a GIF with a caption.
  • /giphy #caption “quote” phrase: Find a GIF with a quote.
  • /giphy #enhance image link: Zoom in on an image for dramatic effect.

How to Manage Giphy in Slack

If you have permissions to edit app settings for your workspace, you can control the GIF ratings and disable Giphy previews. To change Giphy settings in Slack:

  1. Select your workspace name in the top-left corner of Slack.

    Select your workspace name in the top-left corner of Slack.

  2. Select Settings & administration > Manage apps.

    Select Settings & administration > Manage apps.

  3. The Slack app configuration page will open in your web browser. Select Giphy.

    Select Giphy on the Slack app configuration page.

  4. Change the app settings to your liking, then select Save Integration.

    Change the app settings to your liking, then select Save Integration.

How to Search for GIFs on Giphy

In addition to its massive library of original GIFs, Giphy gives you access to GIFs found all over the web. If you can't find a GIF you like, you can browse endless GIFs on Giphy's website. To find a GIF and share it in Slack:

  1. Go to Giphy.com and enter a keyword or phrase in the search bar.

    Go to Giphy.com and enter a keyword or phrase in the search bar.

  2. Select the GIF you want to use.

    Select the GIF you want to use.

  3. Select Copy link.

    Select Copy link.

  4. Copy the URL in the Short Link.

    Copy the URL in the Short Link.

  5. Paste the link into a Slack chat box and press Enter or Return. The GIF will be displayed for everyone to see.

    Paste the link into a Slack chat box and press Enter or Return.

How to Disable Giphy

If GIFS are getting too distracting, you can remove Giphy from Slack. Just go to the app settings page for Giphy and select Disable or Remove.

Go to the app settings page for Giphy and select Disable or Remove.

Alternatively, if you don't want to completely disable Giphy, you can click the small blue downward arrow to the right of a GIF that you or someone else has shared to a channel to collapse it. Others will still be able to see it, but it will no longer be distracting to you.