Do you know how most email platforms let you schedule a note to send later? Ever wished you could do the same with Slack messages? 

Well, Slack has a Scheduled Send feature that will do exactly that. This is handy for those of you who use Slack to communicate with coworkers in different time zones and settings. Plus, we've all experienced that moment at 11 pm when we had an idea but didn't want to disturb someone by pinging them on Slack so late. Now, with the ability to schedule messages, you can maintain productivity without being a nuisance by scheduling your chats to send later.

What is Scheduled Send on Slack?

Scheduled Send does exactly what the name suggests: It lets Slack users schedule messages to send at a later time and date. It's available in Slack's desktop and mobile apps and includes pre-filled options (such as schedule tomorrow morning at 8am) or the ability to set a preferred date and time to send a message. Messages can be scheduled up to 120 days in advance, too. Users will also be able to reschedule, edit, or delete scheduled messages before they’re sent.

How to use Scheduled Send on Slack

Schedule a message

Scheduled Send adds a drop-down arrow to the green “send message” button in Slack’s desktop app. You can click it to access a menu that allows for scheduling a message to send to a room, direct message, or group thread. Mobile users can access a similar menu by long-pressing on the send button in the Slack app on Android and iOS.

Slack desktop app

  1. .Click the compose button
    • Or open the conversation where you'd like to send your message.
  2. Type your message in the message field.
  3. Click the arrow icon to the right of the paper plane icon.
  4. Choose a date and time from the list or select Custom time to set your own.

Slack mobile app

  1. From the Home tab, tap the compose button.
    • Or open the conversation where you'd like to send your message.
  2. Type your message in the message field.
  3. Tap and hold the paper plane icon.
  4. Choose a date and time from the list or select Custom time to set your own.

Edit scheduled messages

Before a scheduled message sends, you can edit it, reschedule it, cancel it and save it to drafts, delete it, or send it. 

Slack desktop app

  1. Click Drafts & sent at the top of your left sidebar
  2. Then click the Scheduled tab to see your scheduled messages
  3. Hover over a message and select an icon in the corner to take an action

Slack mobile app

  1. From the Home tab, tap Drafts & sent at the top.
  2. Then tap on the Scheduled tab to see your scheduled messages
  3. Tap and hold a message and select an icon from the list to take an action.

Want to know more?

Check out Slack's help hub for more details. Plus we have an in-depth guide on Slack that's loaded with plenty more tips and tricks.