Slack Edit and Delete Messages

Everyone sends a typo, a wrong link, or an incomplete thought at some point. Slack lets you edit or delete your own messages after sending them. Understanding when and how to do this keeps your communication accurate and professional.

Editing a Message

Editing a message changes its content but keeps it in place. The message stays in the conversation with an "(edited)" label so recipients know it was updated.

How to Edit a Message (Desktop)

1. Hover over the message you sent.
2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) that appears on the right.
3. Select "Edit message".
4. Make your changes in the text box that opens.
5. Press Enter to save the edit, or Escape to cancel.

Keyboard Shortcut to Edit

Press the up arrow key (↑) in the message input box. This opens the most recent message you sent for editing. Press ↑ again to go to the message before that.

How to Edit on Mobile

1. Long-press the message you sent.
2. Tap "Edit message" from the menu that appears.
3. Make your changes.
4. Tap Save.

The (edited) Label

BEFORE EDIT                    AFTER EDIT
────────────────────────       ────────────────────────────────
Alice: "Meeting at 2 PM."      Alice: "Meeting at 3 PM." (edited)
                                        ↑ recipients see this label

The "(edited)" label maintains transparency — people who already saw the original message know the content changed. This prevents confusion when someone remembers a different version of what was said.

Time Limit for Editing

By default, Slack allows you to edit messages at any time after sending. Workspace admins can restrict this — for example, limiting edits to within 5 minutes of sending. If you find you cannot edit an older message, your admin has enabled this restriction. Check with your workspace admin if you need to correct an old message.

Deleting a Message

Deleting a message removes it permanently from the conversation. No trace remains visible to other users — except that people who already read it may remember the content.

How to Delete a Message (Desktop)

1. Hover over the message you sent.
2. Click the three-dot menu (⋯).
3. Select "Delete message".
4. A confirmation dialog appears. Click "Delete" to confirm.

How to Delete on Mobile

1. Long-press the message.
2. Tap "Delete message".
3. Confirm the deletion.

Edit vs Delete: When to Use Each

EDIT WHEN...                       DELETE WHEN...
──────────────────────────────     ──────────────────────────────
You made a typo                    You sent to the wrong channel
You left out important info        The message is completely wrong
You want to correct a date/link    You accidentally sent a draft
The message is mostly correct      You shared info meant for a DM

Edit a message when the core content is right but needs a correction. Delete it when the entire message should not have been sent.

Can You Edit or Delete Someone Else's Message

Regular members can only edit and delete their own messages. Workspace admins and owners can delete any member's message but cannot edit someone else's words. If you need a message from another person removed, contact a workspace admin.

Admin Controls on Message Editing and Deletion

Workspace admins can adjust these permissions:

• Allow or disallow members from deleting their own messages.
• Set a time window for edits (e.g., edits allowed only within 15 minutes).
• Allow only admins to delete messages.

These controls matter for compliance-heavy industries where message history must remain unchanged.

What Happens to Replies When You Delete

ORIGINAL MESSAGE DELETED

  Alice: [message deleted]         ← placeholder shows
         ↳ Bob: "Agreed!"          ← thread reply stays
         ↳ Carol: "Works for me!"  ← thread reply stays

  The thread replies remain visible even after
  the original message is deleted.

If you delete a message that already has thread replies, Slack replaces the original with a placeholder saying the message was deleted. The replies stay visible so the thread does not lose its context entirely.

Key Takeaways

• Hover over your message and use the three-dot menu to edit or delete it.
• Press the up arrow key to quickly edit your most recent message.
• Edited messages display an "(edited)" label for transparency.
• Deleting is permanent — choose it only when the whole message should not exist.
• Thread replies stay visible even after the original message is deleted.