The fastest way to add a GIF in Slack

To add a GIF in Slack, click the paperclip icon in the message box, select Browse Giphy, search for what you want, and click the GIF to insert it. The whole process takes about ten seconds. Slack connects directly to Giphy's library, so you do not need a separate account or app.

If you have already found a GIF somewhere else online, you can paste the image file or the link directly into Slack's message box. Slack will display it as a preview. This works for GIFs saved on your computer, phone, or copied from a web address.

The method you choose depends on where the GIF is coming from. If you are searching for something in the moment, the built-in Giphy search is fastest. If you already have the GIF or its link, pasting is simpler.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the paperclip icon in the message box, then select Browse Giphy to search Slack's built-in GIF library without leaving the app.
  • You can paste a GIF file or link directly into the message box, and Slack will show it as a preview before you send.
  • The Giphy search inside Slack works the same way as searching on Giphy's website — type keywords and scroll through results.
  • GIFs sent through Slack are visible to everyone in the channel or direct message, just like any other message attachment.

Using Slack's built-in Giphy search

Open the message box at the bottom of the channel or direct message. Click the paperclip icon on the right side of the text field. A menu will appear with several options. Select Browse Giphy.

A search box will open. Type what you are looking for — "cat," "celebration," "confused," or any phrase. Slack will show you results from Giphy's library. Scroll through the options by moving your finger or mouse wheel down. When you find the one you want, click it once. The GIF will appear in your message box, ready to send.

You can add text before or after the GIF if you want. Just click in the message box above or below the GIF preview and type. When you are ready, press Enter or click the send button to post it to the channel.

Pasting a GIF file from your computer

If you have a GIF saved on your computer or phone, you can add it without using Giphy. Open the message box and click the paperclip icon. Select Upload a file. A file browser will open. Navigate to the folder where your GIF is stored, click the file, and select Open.

Slack will show a preview of the GIF in the message box. You can add a caption if you want by typing above or below the preview. Then send the message. The GIF will appear in the channel for everyone to see.

On a phone, the process is similar. Tap the paperclip icon, select Upload a file, and choose the GIF from your phone's photo library or file storage. Slack handles the rest.

Pasting a GIF link directly

If someone has sent you a link to a GIF, or you have copied the web address from a site like Giphy, Tenor, or another image service, you can paste it straight into Slack. Click in the message box and paste the link (Ctrl+V on Windows, Command+V on Mac). Slack will automatically preview the GIF below the link.

You do not have to do anything else — Slack recognizes GIF links and displays them as previews. If you want to send just the GIF without the link showing, you can delete the text after Slack has loaded the preview. The image will stay.

This method works best when you have already found the GIF you want somewhere else and just need to share it quickly. It saves you from searching again inside Slack.

Why Slack uses Giphy and what that means

Slack's built-in GIF search connects to Giphy, one of the largest GIF libraries on the internet. Giphy has millions of animated images organized by category and searchable by keyword. Because Slack built this connection directly into the app, you can search without leaving your conversation or signing up for anything extra.

Giphy is free to use, and Slack does not charge you for searching or sending GIFs through the app. The GIFs themselves are owned by their creators or by Giphy, but sharing them in Slack is allowed under Giphy's terms. You do not need to worry about copyright or permissions when you send a GIF through Slack's Giphy search.

If your workplace has disabled Giphy in Slack's settings, the Browse Giphy option will not appear. In that case, you can still upload GIF files or paste links, but you cannot search Giphy from inside Slack. Your workspace administrator controls this setting.

Sending GIFs in direct messages versus channels

The steps for adding a GIF are the same whether you are in a channel or a direct message with one person. Click the paperclip, choose your method, and send. The difference is who sees it. In a channel, everyone who has access to that channel will see the GIF. In a direct message, only the person you are messaging will see it.

Some workplaces have rules about what kinds of content are appropriate in different channels. A funny GIF might be fine in a casual channel but not in a formal project channel. Use your judgment based on your workplace culture. Slack does not block GIFs based on content, so it is up to you and your team to decide what is appropriate.

Troubleshooting GIFs that do not appear

If you paste a GIF link and Slack does not show a preview, the link may be broken or the site may have blocked Slack from accessing it. Try copying the link again or finding the GIF through Slack's Giphy search instead. If the Giphy search is not working, your workspace administrator may have turned it off in the settings.

If you upload a GIF file and it does not appear, check that the file is actually a GIF and not a different image format. Some files labeled as GIFs are actually static images. You can also try uploading a smaller file — very large GIFs sometimes fail to upload on slower connections. If the problem continues, try uploading the same GIF again or contact your workspace administrator.

On mobile, make sure you have a stable internet connection before uploading. Slack may time out if your connection drops during the upload. Wait a few seconds and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I search for GIFs by category instead of typing keywords?

Giphy's search inside Slack works by keyword only — you type what you want and get results. If you want to browse by category, you would need to visit Giphy.com directly, find the GIF, copy its link, and paste it into Slack. The keyword search is usually faster for most people.

Do GIFs use more data or storage than regular images?

GIFs are animated images, so they are usually larger files than static photos. They will use more of your phone's data if you are on a mobile connection, and they take up more storage space in Slack's message history. If data or storage is limited, you might want to use still images instead, but most people do not notice a significant difference.

Can I make my own GIF and upload it to Slack?

Yes. If you have created a GIF or downloaded one from somewhere other than Giphy, you can upload it to Slack using the Upload a file option. Slack will display it just like any other GIF. Your workspace members will be able to see and read it.

What happens if I send a GIF to someone outside my workspace?

You cannot send direct messages to people outside your Slack workspace unless they have been invited as a guest. If you want to share a GIF with someone outside your workspace, you would need to send them the GIF link or file through email, text, or another messaging app instead.

Can I set a default GIF search or disable Giphy?

Individual users cannot change the Giphy setting — only your workspace administrator can turn Giphy search on or off for the entire workspace. If you want Giphy disabled or changed, ask your administrator. You can always upload GIF files or paste links regardless of this setting.