How to use mentions and reactions on Slack

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Mentions in Slack are created by typing @ followed by a username, channel, or keyword to notify specific people or groups. Reactions are added by hovering over messages and clicking the emoji icon, allowing you to respond quickly without sending a full message.

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Prerequisites

Active Slack account
Access to a Slack workspace
Basic familiarity with Slack channels
Slack desktop or mobile app installed

Step-by-Step Instructions

Using @mentions to notify individuals

In any message field, type @ followed by the person's name. Slack will show a dropdown list of matching users. Select the person you want to mention by clicking their name or pressing Enter. The mentioned person will receive a notification and see a red badge in their sidebar.

Start typing just a few letters of someone's name after @ and Slack will suggest matches automatically.

Using @channel and @here mentions

To notify everyone in a channel, type @channel in your message. For active members only, use @here instead. Type @everyone to notify all workspace members (use sparingly). Slack will show a warning before sending these broad notifications.

Use @here instead of @channel during off-hours to avoid disturbing people who aren't currently active.

Adding emoji reactions to messages

Hover over any message to reveal the action toolbar. Click the emoji icon (smiley face) that appears. Browse through emoji categories or use the search bar to find specific emojis. Click an emoji to add your reaction to the message.

You can also right-click on a message and select "Add reaction" from the context menu.

Using keyboard shortcuts for reactions

Hover over a message and press the R key to quickly open the emoji picker. For frequently used reactions, hover over a message and press + followed by the emoji shortcode like :thumbsup: or :white_check_mark:, then press Enter.

Learn common emoji shortcodes like :+1: for thumbs up or :eyes: for eyes to react faster.

Managing your reaction preferences

Click your profile picture in the top right, then select Preferences. Go to Messages & media and customize your Emoji settings. You can set your preferred skin tone for emoji and enable/disable emoji suggestions. Adjust Notification preferences for when others react to your messages.

Enable "Show one-click reactions" to see suggested emojis without opening the full picker.

Viewing and removing reactions

Click on any emoji reaction under a message to see who reacted and add your own reaction. To remove your reaction, click the same emoji again or click the X that appears when hovering over reactions you've added. Message authors can see reaction details by clicking on the reaction count.

You can react with multiple different emojis to the same message.

Using mentions in threads and DMs

In thread replies, use @ mentions to notify people who aren't following the thread. In group DMs, @mention specific people when the conversation involves multiple participants. Use @thread to notify everyone who has participated in a thread conversation.

@thread is especially useful in busy channels to keep thread participants engaged without notifying the entire channel.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Person didn't receive mention notification

Check if they have Do Not Disturb enabled or if their notification settings filter out mentions. Ensure you spelled their username correctly and that they're still a member of the workspace.

Can't see emoji reactions on messages

Refresh your Slack app or check your internet connection. Go to Preferences > Messages & media and ensure Show emoji reactions is enabled. Try logging out and back in if the issue persists.

@channel or @here not working

Verify you have permission to use channel-wide mentions in that specific channel. Some channels restrict these mentions to admins only. Check with your workspace admin if you need these permissions enabled.

Emoji picker not opening

Try using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + \ to open the emoji picker. Clear your browser cache if using Slack in a web browser, or restart the desktop app. Update your Slack app to the latest version.

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