Scheduling Messages for Later in Slack

This guide explains how to schedule messages in Slack, an internal messaging tool used for collaboration.

The official term is "Schedule message".

This means that the message is not sent immediately but is sent at a specific scheduled time.

There are many situations where scheduling a message is useful.

• Scheduling a message when the recipient is absent due to leave or vacation.
• Scheduling a message when the recipient's working hours differ due to flextime or self-directed work schedules.
• Scheduling a message for a work-related matter that comes up late at night, but needs to be addressed during work hours to avoid forgetting.

And so on.

Usage Conditions

Available in the free version.

Similar Functions

• Reminders
  • Using Slackbot with /remind
  • Instructions on using reminders are provided in a separate article.
• Workflow Builder
  • Available in the paid version, and it allows for easy configuration.

How to Use

1. Select the user or channel using [Drafts & Sent]. Or, go directly to the desired user's DM or channel.

• While a button may be visible on the top left of Slack, if not, click [More] → [Drafts & Sent].

2. Write your message in the Slack chat window at the bottom.

• Write your message, but do not press Enter.

3. Hover your mouse over the down arrow in the bottom right corner to reveal the [Schedule Message] button.

• Click this button.

4. You can set the time, and you can also save a custom time.

5. While it may appear that the time is set only in 10-minute increments, you can manually adjust it to set the time in 1-minute increments.

6. Once scheduled, the message will appear in the relevant DM or channel.

Other Notes

• Scheduled messages are only visible to the sender until they are sent.
• On mobile, press and hold the send button to access the time settings.
• The scheduling function is supported in comments on both PC and mobile. While unavailable previously (as of October 2022), it is now available (as of September 2024).
• All forms of message delivery are possible in conversations.
• This includes using mentions such as "@someone", code blocks, bold text, etc.
• You can view and delete scheduled messages by clicking on [View all scheduled messages] or [Drafts & Sent].