We analyzed 12 examples of how Slack handles empty states across their product, spanning 4 different approaches: icon with headline and CTA, text-only message, illustration with CTA, modal overlay.
Slack — Direct messages > Self DM (Jot something down)
Self-DM (note-to-self) channel with no prior messages. Shows the user's own profile photo, a bold heading, body text, and an Edit Profile button.
Slack — Activity > All
Activity panel showing the All tab with no unread activity. Displays a green checkmark emoji, a headline, and supporting body text. A 3D purple @ symbol illustration appears in the right pane.
Slack — Threads
Threads view with no active threads. Shows a seedling emoji icon, headline, body text, and a learn-more link.
Slack — Later > In progress
Later (reminders/saved items) panel on the In progress tab with no items. Shows a sparkle emoji, headline, body text, and a Create Reminder button. A decorative 3D purple bookmark illustration appears in the right pane.
Slack — Files > Lists
Lists section under Files showing no user-created lists. Template cards are displayed above the empty state. A headline, body text, and Learn more button appear below the templates.
Slack — Slackbot > Canvas tab (Untitled)
New blank canvas opened from the Slackbot conversation. Shows placeholder title and body text encouraging the user to start writing. A template picker bar appears at the bottom.
Slack — Search > Messages results
Search results page showing no matches for a query. Displays a headline and body text with suggestions for refining the search, plus feedback links.
Slack — Tools > Workflows > Untitled workflow
New untitled workflow builder with no events or steps configured. Shows instructional text and two empty placeholder sections for the trigger and actions.
Slack — Directories > People
Directories People tab showing no results after searching for "people". Shows a headline and suggestion text. An Invite People button appears at the top right.
Slack — Files > All files
Files section showing All files with only one template item listed. PRO canvas templates are displayed above. The section is nearly empty with just a single To-do list template visible.
Slack — Invite people modal (overlay on #all-new-workspace channel)
Invite people modal overlay on a new workspace. Shows email input, Google Workspace option, role selector, channel suggestions, and a "No channels found" message in the channel search dropdown.
Slack — Channel > #new-channel (first visit)
New channel welcome state showing a wave emoji, headline, body text, and four template/action cards for getting started. The channel has just been created with one system message.