How to export your data from Slack

Slack lets Workspace Owners/Admins export messages and file links (not the files themselves) from public channels in JSON format on any plan; Business+ and Enterprise plans can apply for a self-serve tool to also export private channels and DMs, plus a CSV channel audit report.

Formats: JSON, TXT, CSVPlan: Any plan for public-channel export; Business+ or Enterprise required to apply for full export (private channels, DMs, single-user exports)Role: Workspace Owner or Admin (Org Owner/Admin on Enterprise); members with the Export Admin system role can also export

✓ Verified against Slack's official documentation, September 2026

Step by step

1From your desktop, click Admin in the sidebar
2Select Workspace settings from the menu, then click Security
3Click Import & export data
4Click the Export tab
5Below Export date range, click the drop-down menu to select a date range
6Click Start Export - you'll get an email once the file is ready
7Open the email and click 'Visit your workspace's export page'
8Click 'Ready for download' to access the ZIP file

What the export includes

✓Public channel messages and metadata (channels.json)
✓Links to files shared in public channels (not the files themselves)
✓Member profile information (users.json)
✓App/integration activity logs (integration_logs.json)
✓Canvas URLs shared in public channels
✓On approved Business+/Enterprise exports: private channels (groups.json), DMs (dms.json), group DMs (mpims.json), and a CSV channel audit report

What it doesn't include

✗Actual uploaded files - export only contains links back to files stored in Slack, not the files themselves
✗Private channels and DMs unless you applied for and were approved for the expanded export type (Business+/Enterprise)
✗Data older than one year that has been deleted, and on Free plan, file links older than 90 days
✗Content flags data (Enterprise-only, requires content flagging enabled)
✗Multi-workspace channels are excluded from single-workspace exports on Enterprise

Before you start

⚠Free and Pro plans can only self-serve export public channels; exporting private channels/DMs requires submitting an application and Workspace Primary Owner approval
⚠Free plan exports are limited to file links from the last 90 days
⚠Modifying the export ZIP file before using it in an import can cause import errors
⚠Enterprise org exports cannot be imported into another Slack workspace
⚠Business+ approved exporters can schedule recurring (weekly/monthly) exports, but each scheduled export only covers that period's data
⚠You'll be notified by email when the export is ready - it is not instant

Where to take your data

Free and cheaper tools that can take a Slack export. See all Slack alternatives →

Slack (new/other workspace)

Alternatives

Upload your exported ZIP (or a direct download link to it) via Admin > Workspace settings > Security > Import & export data > Import, then choose which members and data to import into the destination workspace.

Discord

Alternatives Slack vs Discord

Slack has no official export format Discord can import directly; the JSON export can be used as a manual reference (searching channels.json/users.json) while you recreate channels and repost key content in Discord, since there's no automated Slack-to-Discord import path in Slack's own docs.

Slack Free

Alternatives

If downgrading rather than leaving, export your data first since Free plan history/file-link limits apply going forward; use the same Admin > Security > Import & export data flow to keep a JSON backup before or after downgrading.

Exporting from Slack: common questions

Can I export private channels and DMs from Slack?+

Only on Business+ or Enterprise plans, and only after applying for and being approved to use the self-serve export tool for 'all channels and conversations'; Free and Pro plans can request this only under limited legal/consent circumstances via Slack Support.

What format does Slack export data in?+

Public channel exports and full 'all channels and conversations' exports are JSON; a single user's conversations can be exported as JSON or TXT; a channel audit report is CSV.

Does the Slack export include uploaded files?+

No. Exports include links back to files stored in your workspace, not the files themselves.

How long does a Slack export take?+

Slack emails you once the export file is ready; there's no fixed time stated in Slack's docs, but you access the ZIP from the emailed export page link once it's marked 'Ready for download'.

Can I export data from a Free Slack workspace?+

Yes, Workspace Owners and Admins on the Free plan can export messages and file links from public channels in JSON format, but file links are limited to the last 90 days and data older than one year that's been deleted won't be included.

Who is allowed to run an export in Slack?+

Workspace Owners (Free, Pro, Business+), Org Owners/Admins (Enterprise), and members assigned the Export Admin system role can run exports.