Creating & Managing Channels

Discuss Channels

Channels are group conversations. They can be public (anyone can join), private (invite-only), or linked to a specific record (channel document).

Channel Types

Creating a Channel

1. In Discuss, click the + icon next to "Channels" in the left panel.
2. Channel Name – Use a descriptive name (e.g. "Q4 Marketing Campaign"). Avoid special characters and spaces.
3. Description – Briefly explain the channel's purpose. This appears at the top of the channel view.
4. Privacy – Public (everyone can join) or Private (only invited members).
5. Email Alias – Optionally, set an email address (e.g. marketing@company.com). Emails to this address post to the channel. External participants can reply by email.
6. Click Save.

Channel Management

As a channel owner or administrator:

• Add Members – Click the "Members" tab in the right panel – "Add Members". Search for users and add them.
• Remove Members – Click the -- next to a member's name.
• Pin Messages – Hover over a message – ⋮ – "Pin". Pinned messages appear in the right panel for quick reference.
• Mute Notifications – Click the bell icon in the channel header to mute notifications for that channel.
• Leave Channel – Click the channel name – "Leave Channel". You stop receiving messages from it.
• Archive Channel – When a channel is no longer active, archive it (not delete). Archived channels are hidden from the list but can be unarchived later. Messages are preserved.

Channel Best Practices

• Use a consistent naming convention: #department-purpose (e.g. #sales-deals, #dev-bugs).
• Create channels for active projects and campaigns, then archive them when done.
• Use @channel or @all to mention everyone in the channel (use sparingly – it notifies everyone).
• For record-specific discussions, use the record's chatter rather than a channel – it keeps context directly with the record.