When you want to share a gif, Giphy is one of the more popular options. You can use their gifs almost anywhere, including Discord, Facebook and text messaging.
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People interested in how to use Giphy in Slack will be thrilled to know you can also use them through that platform. It’s a fun way to liven up conversations, and easy to use whether you’re on a desktop PC or smartphone.
Install Giphy for Slack
Before you can learn how to use Giphy in Slack, you need to install it. If the app has already been installed on Slack for your workspace, skip ahead to the next section.
Step 1: Log in to Slack
Go to the official site at Slack.com and log in. If you are already signed into your Workspace, you’ll see an option to access those below the sign-in prompt.
Step 2: Add Apps
From your workspace page, look in the right column and scroll until you see an option that says Add Apps. Click on that, and you can type Giphy into the search bar at the top of the page.
Step 3: Install Giphy
When you click on Giphy in the search results, an installation screen will appear. Choose Add to Slack when you are ready to proceed.
Step 4: Add Giphy Integration
Once you’ve clicked the Add Giphy Integration button, the app is installed in Slack. You can also find brief instructions on commands in this window.
Step 5: Finalize Settings
Before you can use Giphy in Slack, you’ll need to finalize the integration settings. That includes setting a rating for Gifs pulled from the service and enabling previews. When satisfied, choose Save Integration.
How to Use Giphy in Slack
There are two ways to use Giphy in Slack. You can use a slash command, which is limited, or search through the app.
To use slash commands, simply type “/Giphy” and the word related to the gif you want. In this example, we just want a dog gif. So we’ll type /Giphy dog and click Enter as shown in the screenshot below. A gif should load instantly with an option to Send, Shuffle or Cancel.
If you change your mind and want to choose a different topic, choose Cancel and retype the /Giphy command with a new subject. Shuffle pulls up similar gifs while Send posts the gif in the channel where you’ve typed the command.
When you want more control over a gif, type / in a channel to bring up a list of available Slack apps. Choose Giphy and you’ll see three options in a pop-up menu. From here you can find and share a clip, share a gif or enter a text command. Select Find and share a gif to bring up a search box.
While the result is similar, you now have the option to share a gif in other channels before you post it. You can also shuffle to find a new gif or back out and try a new search. The process is the same as using the Slack mobile app for Android or iOS.
Removing Giphy in Slack
Gifs can be a lot of fun, but they can occasionally get out of hand. While you can restrict gifs and Giphy usage to certain channels, removing it may be the best option in some cases. If you want to uninstall Giphy from Slack, follow these steps.
Step 1: Access the App Directory
To remove Giphy or any other app from Slack, you need to head to the app directory. The easiest way to do so from a Workspace is to select Add Apps, from the sidebar on the left of your Workspace. You’ll see any apps you have installed in a row here. Find and choose Giphy.
Step 2: Configuration
When you’ve selected Giphy, a new window opens in the right pane with a button for configuration. Click that to access the configuration settings for the Giphy app.
Step 3: Remove Giphy
Now you’ll see the Giphy integration screen from the installation process. You can disable the app from here or remove it. Click on Remove and choose OK to uninstall Giphy from Slack.
The Wrap-Up
A good gif allows you to express yourself better than a simple emoji, and Giphy for Slack is the best way to share your thoughts through photos on Slack. If you just want to give it a test run, remember you can disable it if things don’t work out. It’s also a good idea to set up audience ratings to ensure shared gifs remain appropriate within a Workspace.
