Home Canned responses for Slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Slack + Typedesk
canned replies you can reuse everywhere

In Slack, the same updates, answers, and requests get typed over and over across channels, threads, and DMs. Slack has channel, canvas, and workflow templates, but no saved-reply library in its message composer, so those replies get retyped or pasted from a notes doc. Typedesk lets you save each one once and drop it into Slack by typing a short shortcut like ;standup or ;onboard, and the full message appears instantly. This page shows how the Typedesk integration works in Slack and what it adds on top.

Available on Mac, Windows and in your browser

300+ reviews

How to create canned responses in Slack

Slack has no saved-reply library in its message composer, so the usual workaround is keeping your replies in a separate doc and pasting them. Here is that manual workaround, and the faster way with Typedesk.

Without Typedesk

For reference, here is the manual workaround. Slack has no saved-reply library in its message composer, so you keep your replies elsewhere and paste them in. It works, but Slack itself provides no text-expansion shortcuts, fill-in fields, or reusable reply library in the composer.

With Typedesk

Typedesk runs through the browser extension and desktop app, so it works directly in Slack. No notes doc, no copying and pasting.

1

Keep your common messages in a separate notes app or shared document.

2

When you need one, switch to that doc and copy the text.

3

Paste it into the Slack message box and edit the details by hand.

4

Because Slack has no saved-reply library in the composer, you switch apps and copy-paste every single time.

1

Save your standard messages in Typedesk, each with a short shortcut like ;standup or ;onboard (Typedesk lets you pick a trigger that avoids Slack's / commands).

2

Open a Slack channel, thread, or DM and type the shortcut.

3

The full message expands instantly, ready to post or edit.

typedesk + Slack

Why Slack messages need canned responses

Whether you run support in Slack Connect, onboard teammates, or post the same standups and reminders, the same messages go out again and again, and they should stay clear and consistent. Slack has channel, canvas, and workflow templates, but no saved-reply library in the message composer, so people keep a stash of replies in a notes app and copy-paste them, which is slow and easy to get wrong.
What to save as a Slack message:
  • Standups, status updates, and recurring reminders.
  • Onboarding and how-to answers for teammates.
  • Support replies in Slack Connect channels.
  • Community and moderation responses that keep a consistent tone.

How it works

Set up Typedesk once and reuse your Slack messages everywhere you type.

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
1

Install the Typedesk desktop app for Windows or Mac, plus the browser extension for Slack in the browser.

2

Save your most-used Slack messages as templates, each with a short shortcut like ;standup or ;onboard.

3

In Slack, type the shortcut in a channel, thread, or DM and the full message expands instantly.

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

One library for Slack and everywhere else

Your replies should not be trapped in a notes doc. Typedesk keeps a single library, so the same messages you use in Slack also work in email, your help desk, Front, and any web form. Update the wording once, and it updates everywhere, and teams can share one approved library so everyone stays on-message.

Your Slack messages, with superpowers!

Typedesk text expander gives Slack the reusable replies it lacks in the composer, with fill-in fields and easy sharing.

Fill in details as you type

Typedesk drops a name, date, or channel-specific detail into your message as it expands, so a reused message still reads like you wrote it just now.

Works beyond Slack, in every app

Typedesk messages work in Slack and in email, your help desk, and every other app your team uses, all from one library.

Share one message library with your team

Keep every approved message in a single shared library so your whole team posts consistently. Update the wording once and everyone gets it, something Slack's message composer does not offer on its own.

Insert any Slack message with a shortcut

Type a short shortcut like ;standup and the full message expands right in the Slack message box, with no notes doc to open and nothing to paste.

Give Slack the canned responses it is missing

The most versatile way to create and reuse messages in Slack

Features

typedesk how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Create templates with custom fill-in fields

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Share templates with teammates

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Insert templates with a text shortcut

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Search templates by keyword

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Organize templates into folders

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Reuse the same templates across apps

how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack
how to create canned responses and reusable replies in slack

Comparison covers the built-in reusable-message features available in each product's standard interface. Optional add-ins, mobile keyboards, developer APIs, and third-party tools are excluded.

Send Slack messages faster

Save your most-used Slack messages in Typedesk once, assign a shortcut to each, and post in seconds while staying consistent.

I love typedesk! It is by far one of my favourite tools to have in our tech stack.

Customer review

Pip Meecham

Tech Advisor & ClickUp Channel Partner

We use typedesk to ensure that communications remain aligned and uniform across all our channels as our company scales up.

Customer review

Michael Johnson

Senior Certification Specialist, HighLevel

This software is unreal. It's like having a ChatGPT writing assistant on every single app I use and having all the prompts I can create at my fingertips.

Customer review

Michael Montefusco

Founder, Fitness Marketing Machine

This app is a phenomenal tool.

Customer review

David Shutler

Senior Recruitment Consultant

While our help desk does provide saved answers, I use typedesk to maintain a personal voice in my canned responses quickly and efficiently.

Melanie Shears

Finance & People Operations, Customer Billing Specialist, Helpscout

Typdesk is a cross-platform tool that is highly valued by its developers and receives frequent updates. Although I sometimes encounter problems with new updates, the responsive team promptly fixes them. Overall, my experience with Typdesk has been excellent.

Customer review

Natasha

HR Manager interested in upscaling orgs

Typedesk is an innovative TextExpander alternative that I use daily. Can’t recommend it enough. Can’t wait until it’s available on iOS! Highly recommend.

Customer review

Steven 👾

Helping people work smarter, not harder.

Excellent product! Switched over from T*xtExpand*r and TypeDesk is soooooo much better. I highly recommend to anyone considering purchase. Congrats on the launch and keep up the good work!

Customer review

C J

Cybersecurity consultant and blogger.

🤗 I have been using Typedesk since December 2021 and I will never go back, there are really so many use cases for this incredible tool, that a comment is not enough, I will summarize it by saying that I use it every day and at all times: A keyboard shortcut + a couple enter or text entries and everything solved... 🔥 Many customers have noticed the difference and have asked me directly "How do you do it?", obviously I have recommended them in every way. 🤯 I've seen the announcements of the new features, specifically the integration with ChatGPT, it will be a very powerful thing to further increase the value over Typedesk and also improve day-to-day productivity. About this (and it is understood) the only thing I regret is that it requires a paid ChatGPT account, which is an AI that I have tried, I see its potential for use, but I still haven't finished integrating it into my flow to pay for it. I know that day will come sooner rather than later, but for now I will wait. Thanks to the amazing team at Typedesk, they are the best 🏆 @michel_vermeulen1 -- Idioma nativo: 🤗 Estoy usando Typedesk desde diciembre 2021 y jamás volveré atrás, realmente son tantos los casos de uso para esta increíble herramienta, que no basta un comentario, lo resumiré diciendo que lo uso todos los días y a toda hora: Un atajo de teclado + un par de enter o entradas de texto y todo resuelto... 🔥 Muchos clientes han notado la diferencia y me han preguntado directamente "¿Cómo haces?", obviamente los he recomendado en todo sentido. 🤯 He visto los anuncios de las nuevas funciones, específicamente la integración con ChatGPT, será algo muy poderoso para aumentar aún más el valor sobre Typedesk y también para mejorar la productividad en el día a día. Sobre esto (y se entiende) lo único que lamento es que requiera cuenta pago de ChatGPT, que es una IA que he probado, veo su potencial de uso, pero aún no la termino de integrar a mi flujo como para pagar por ello... Se que ese día llegará más temprano que tarde, pero por el momento esperaré. Gracias al increíble equipo de Typedesk, son los mejores 🏆 @michel_vermeulen1

Customer review

Jorge A. Merino

DISEÑADOR GRÁFICO Y WEB

Great! It will surprise you

Customer review

Truong Nguyen

SM

I absolutely love typedesk, and use it for a bunch of canned (and less canned, to be honest) responses, including a regular report I need to create for a client (cheating? No. Optimising it and just filling the numbers and name in [and a bit of random boilerplate] for a weekly report? YES!). Now enhanced with ChatGPT? Sign me up! I've been an avid recommender of Typedesk in my businesses for a while now. @michel_vermeulen and his team just gave me even more reason to move all my teams over.

Customer review

Theo Pistorius

Founder of 4 SA biz's. Pls no cryptos

i been using typedesk for several years, since 2021, i would say the software is great, i have windows/mac they sync perfectly, this is one of the software that i use everyday, it saves much of my time on thinking on how to answer clients, i have my FAQ in typedesk, i just search it and copy/paste into my support desks. i love it has a search function, and i can share the answers with my co-workers. so they save time on answering FAQs.

Customer review

李鼎嘉

@new_user_74d7929319

Typedesk is an automation tool for canned responses that can help increase efficiency and productivity in customer support. With this tool, agents can create and save predefined responses for common questions, allowing them to quickly respond to customers without having to type the same response over and over again. Typedesk is especially useful for those who work in customer support or similar roles where they receive many similar questions. Users can organize their responses into categories for easy searching and retrieval, and they can also customize their responses with replacement fields to tailor them to each specific case.

Customer review

Tony Wiljanden

@tony_wiljanden

Congrats @michel_vermeulen1 on the new launch. Typedesk has hit the floor running, adding great value and features from the start. It has come a long way with each new update. Michel has always provided great support and eager to build on client suggestions. The UI/UX has improved so much and the canned responses are now super fast. With adding things like ChatGPT, we look forward to future development. Last year I wanted to use typedesk to fill out repetitive online forms and he said that it is not possible at the moment but finished the email with "But, never say never". Well, we are now in neverland.

Customer review

Hak

@hak_jenkins

Brilliant text expander. Highly recommended for personal or team use.

Customer review

Marcelo Bacchi

@marcelo_bacchi1

Customer review

Cyndi Dermody

@cyndi_dermody

It is very easy to use. Simplicity is key which is perfect, because you don't want to be bogged down and distracted when a fast response is required. Glad i purchased, will definately get my ROI with time saved

James_Riddles

This is an extremely helpful tool. Several times a day I have to input information into a government form. Each requires that I type two identical sentences into each form. Typedesk allows me to speed throught this. Only saves a few seconds per form, but it certainly adds up.

Sumo-ling

this is a must-have tool for all company owners! huge time saver

masuk_sarker

This solution is super useful. I have many cases, where I can use it in my daily work.

m_b

One of the best purchases on Appsumo!

iamsam

Canned responses have been a fantastic way to save time during my onboarding process with clients along with the weekly/monthly reporting emails. Unfortunately, things got a little messy when testing out different CRMs, integrating emails, and dealing with the CRMs' built-in email templates PLUS my Gmail templates. With typedesk, this problem is solved!

JohnG23

I wasn't exactly sure what it does or how it might help me. But the basic concept sounded like something that might come in handy for someone like me who is launching his own membership platform where I'll be engaging customers through a support desk, creating tutorials and running a membership site.

ricklewis

Typedesk is one of the those tools you know has a bright future. This is due to its rock-solid focus on doing one thing well, and that's streamlining your team's replies in record times. The UX is simple and seamless. No longer worry about your team's communication being all over the place and get on the same page with Typedesk today.

FellowSumoling

Overall, good tool that does what it says. Useful if you have a lot of texts that you often reuse. Not just for emails but actually for any text or words, or emojis. Tool is simple but functional, you can group your texts into folders etc. It is rather intuitive and works well.

atis

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Frequently asked questions

Common questions about canned responses in Slack.

Visit learning center

Does Slack have canned responses or message templates?

Slack has channel, canvas, list, and workflow templates, but no built-in saved-reply library in the standard message composer. The common workaround is keeping replies in a notes app, which is where Typedesk helps by adding real templates with shortcuts, fill-in fields, and sharing.

Does Typedesk work in Slack?

Yes. The Typedesk desktop app and browser extension work in Slack, so your shortcuts expand directly in the message box, in channels, threads, and DMs.

What shortcut should I use in Slack?

Slack reserves the / key for its own commands, so a trigger like ;standup keeps your Typedesk shortcuts separate. Typedesk lets you choose the trigger character that works best for you.

Can my whole team share the same Slack messages?

Yes. Shared libraries let everyone use the same approved messages, with central updates pushed to the whole team.

Is it free?

Slack has no saved-reply library in its composer to begin with. Typedesk adds shortcuts, fill-in fields, and shared libraries, and you can sign up for free to get started.

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