Easy Tech TutsHow to Send GIFs in Slack Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Dropping a quick animated reaction into a Slack chat is easy once you know where the GIF tools live. This guide covers the native built-in picker as well as the classic GIPHY slash command for sharing animations.
01Open the emoji menu
Click the smiley face icon in the message input field, then switch to the native GIFs tab.
02Search and insert a GIF
Type a mood keyword into the search bar and click an animation to instantly insert it into your message.
03Install GIPHY for slash commands
Go to Apps and install the official GIPHY package to unlock the classic command-line sharing option.
04Use the /giphy command
Type /giphy followed by a search term inside the message field to generate a preview card.
05Shuffle and send
Click Shuffle to cycle through alternative results, then click Send to post the final GIF to the channel.
Frequently asked questions
Can I control what content ratings appear in GIF searches?
Yes, workspace admins can set content maturity filters to keep GIF results appropriate for the team.
Does the native GIF picker require any installation?
No, the native picker is built into Slack and doesn't require installing any additional app.
Why do I only see a preview before posting with /giphy?
The ephemeral preview lets you confirm or shuffle the result before it's visible to the rest of the channel.
Can I send GIFs in direct messages too?
Yes, both the native picker and the /giphy command work the same way in direct messages.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
