Permissions by role in Slack

In Slack, every person has a role, each with its own level of permissions and access. Use the tables below to explore specific permissions for each type of role.

Using Slack

Breakdown of permissions by role type for key features for using Slack.

✓ Available by default
✷ Only available to Workspace Owners
✦ Only available if a Workspace Owner changes the default setting

  Owner/Admin Member Guest
Send messages and upload files ✓ ✓ ✓
Join any public channel ✓ ✓  
Delete your own messages ✓ ✓ ✓
Create a channel* ✓ ✓  
Create a private channel* ✓ ✓ Multi-Channel Guest
Convert a channel to private** ✓    
Manage channels with Slack Connect† ✓ ✷  
Archive a channel** ✓ ✓  
Rename a channel**
(Adjustable on Enterprise plans)
✓    
Delete a channel ✓    
Set channel retention ✦    
Set private channel retention ✓ ✷  
Set posting permissions ✓ ✓  
Create a channel email address ✓ ✓  
Use @channel and @here ✓ ✓ ✓
Use @everyone  ✓ ✓  
Create user groups ✓ ✷  
Mention user groups ✓ ✓  
Be added to user groups  ✓ ✓  
Set reminders for channels or members ✓ ✓  
Add custom emoji ✓ ✓  
Use shortcuts ✓ ✓ Multi-Channel Guest
Install apps ✓ ✓  
Use workflows† ✓ ✓ ✓
Build workflows† ✓ ✓  

* Workspace Owners can restrict permissions for creating channels.
** Channel Managers can also adjust channels they are assigned.
† Paid plans only

Administration

Administrative settings for some features are limited by role type.

✓ Available by default
✷ Only available to Workspace Owners
✦ Only available if a Workspace Owner changes the default setting

  Owner/Admin Member Guest
Remove people from channels ✓ ✷  
Remove people from private channels ✓ ✓  
Invite guests to public channels ✓    
Invite Multi-Channel Guests to private channels ✓ ✓ Multi-Channel Guest
Invite Single-Channel Guests to private channels ✓    
Delete other people's messages ✓    
Send invites to new members ✓ ✓  
Send invites to new guests ✓ ✓  
Deactivate a member's account ✓    
Set default channels ✓    
Set workspace language ✓    
Set discovery and sign up ✦    
Turn on Approved Apps ✦    
Manage app settings and permissions ✦    
Set name display guidelines ✦    
Change workspace name/URL ✦    
Reset all members' passwords ✦    
Create and edit user groups ✓ ✷  
View analytics and usage ✓ ✷  
Change full & display names†  ✓    
Change an email address† ✓    
Change a member's role ✓    
Upgrade to a paid plan ✓ ✓  
Change plan type*** ✓    
Add a payment method*** ✓    
View billing statements ✦    
Choose authentication method ✓    
Export data from public channels ✓    
Export data from conversations (if eligible) ✦    
Transfer primary ownership Primary Owner    
Delete workspace Primary Owner    

*** The person who upgraded the workspace can also make changes.
† Paid plans only

Additional administration on Enterprise plans

The following table breaks down permissions for organization-level administrative settings.

✓ Available by default
✷ Only available if an Org Owner/Admin chooses
✦ Only if an Org Owner/Admin is also a member of the workspace

Organization policies

  Org Owner/Admin Workspace Owner/Admin Member
Set display name guidelines ✓ ✦  
Set default do not disturb mode ✓ ✦  
Set custom message retention ✓ ✦ ✦
Set custom file retention ✓    
Manage channel posting permissions ✓ ✦  
Create and edit user groups ✓ ✦ ✦
Set public file sharing policy ✓ ✦  
Create a multi-workspace channel ✓ ✦ ✦
Set mandatory two-factor authentication ✓    
Configure single sign-on Org Owner    
Allow users to change email/display name Org Owner    


Administrative

  Org Owner/Admin Workspace Owner/Admin Member
Connect IDP groups to workspaces or channels ✓    
Manage member's account status and permissions ✓    
Change a member's display name or email address ✓ ✦  
Manage email display ✓ ✓  
Deactivate a member's account ✓    
Create a custom role Org Primary Owner   Roles Admin
Manage domain claiming ✓    
Create a new workspace on the org ✓    
Set workspace discovery and access ✦ ✓  
Move channels between workspaces ✦ ✓  
Manage multi-workspace channel creation ✓    
Manage channels with Slack Connect ✓    
Restrict members from inviting people to a channel ✓ ✓ Channel Manager
Choose name, URL, and icon ✓    
View workspace analytics  ✓ ✷ ✷
Add custom emoji ✓ ✓ ✓
Set Slackbot responses policy ✓ ✷  
Set app management policies ✓    
Approve or restrict apps†† ✓ ✓  
Use channel management tools Org Owner§ ✓  
Delete workspace   Primary Owner  

†† Workspace Owners can only approve or restrict apps for their workspace that have not been approved or restricted at the org level.
§ Org Admins can use channel management tools if they are also a member of the workspace.

System roles on Enterprise plans

System roles give organizations more flexibility around permissions that can be granted to members. Admins can assign users one or many system roles to help manage an organization. 

System role Permissions
Analytics Admin

View the analytics dashboard

Audit Logs Admin Access audit logs
Channels Admin Create private channels, rename channels, convert public channels to private, archive and unarchive channels, and adjust posting permissions
Content Admin Review and manage flagged content
Customization Manager Manage custom emoji and Slackbot responses
DLP Admin

Manage data loss prevention (DLP)

Export Admin Access and manage exports
Legal Holds Admin
Create, edit, and release legal holds
Message Activity Manager

View message activity in channels

Roles Admin Create custom roles and manage who is assigned system roles
Sales Admin

Manage Slack Sales Home*

Salesforce Admin

Manage connections to Salesforce*

Security Admin

Manage sessions and deactivate accounts

Template Admin

Create, manage, and publish custom templates

Users Admin
Add, remove, or deactivate non-admin users
Workflow Admin
Manage workflows

*Also available on the Business+ plan