Slack import | Glue Guide

Why Import Your Slack Data?

We highly recommend importing some Slack data as you set up your workspace so you can hit the ground running. Slack import is optional if you prefer to start from scratch.

Make the transition seamless for users: Pre-populate Glue with relevant Groups and messages to speed up onboarding and usage.

Enhance Glue AI with company data: With access to message history, Glue AI becomes more useful right from the start.

Only admins can run a Slack import for the workspace.

The basics of importing your slack data

1. Export your data from Slack

2. Download the zip file Slack sends you via email

3. Upload the file in the Slack Import tool in Glue, which will guide you through the process

4. Choose which channels you want to bring over, and pick between a Thread or Group

Data included in the Slack export

• Channels and their message history
• Channel memberships

Data not included in the Slack export

• Users
• DMs
• App Integrations
• Workflows
• Custom emojis (There is a separate process for this from the Slack export file.)

How will my Slack channels map to Glue?

You can pick and choose which Slack Channels to import, and they can be converted to a Glue Thread or a Group.

Slack Channel to Glue Thread

• By default, Slack channels will be imported as named Glue threads.
• These threads will be automatically archived so they are easily searchable, but not cluttering the inbox.

Slack Channel to Glue Group

• Your most important channels (e.g. channels for specific departments or teams), can be imported as Groups.
• Message history and slack threads will show up as chats and threads in the new Glue group.
• Group membership will mirror the old channel membership, but no user invites will be sent until you're ready.

User accounts are not created during the Slack import, but the channel memberships are preserved in the corresponding Glue group. When a new user signs up, they will automatically see these Groups in their Glue account.

Preparing for your migration

Consider which channels you want to keep

• Determine which channels are the most critical to create into long term Groups.
• The other channels you decide to import will be turned into archived Threads that can still be referenced, but won't be actively used.
• While having some history imported from Slack is a great way to come into Glue with some starting data to both see how to use Glue, and be able to ask Glue AI questions, importing all of your Slack history would potentially create more clutter. It’s a personal decision how much content to bring over, but be thoughtful about giving your team enough of a fresh start!

Understand data limitations

You can export your entire history from Slack, but the self-service Slack import tool has a file size limitation of 100 MB at a time. We recommend starting with the last 30 days of history to test if you want to import more.

During your free trial

• We recommend using the last 30 days of Slack history to allow for an easier import process while testing Glue.
• We cannot offer custom imports during a free trial.

Glue customers

• If you need assistance uploading a larger amount of data after you've purchased a Glue subscription, you can reach out to support@glue.ai or contact us in Glue.

Detailed Instructions for Slack Import

Export your Slack data

1. Go to your Slack data export page: Slack Export.

• Navigate to the workspace settings. This can be accessed by clicking the dropdown next to the workspace and selecting “Tools & Settings”, then “Workspace Settings”.
  • On the settings page, you will see a button on the top-right corner of the page labeled “Import/Export Data”. Click on it.

2. Select the Export tab. Choose a date range and click "Start Export."
   • We recommend exporting the last 30 days to get your most critical data off Slack.
   • This may take some time depending on your workspace size. You will receive a Slack notification and an email once it is complete.
   • Once this is done, you can navigate back or just refresh the page, and you will see a download link.

Private channels will not be exported. If you want to include these, make them public first before running the export.

Make sure to use the "Standard Export." This is what you will upload to Glue. Do not use the "Channel audit export."

Import Slack data to Glue

1. Once you have the export zip file, navigate to your Workspace settings underneath your profile avatar at the top right hand of the screen.
2. Click your workspace and navigate to the Advanced tab.
3. Click “Get started” button in the Slack Import section. Glue will guide you through the upload process with instructions.
4. Drag & drop or choose your zip file to upload.
5. Select the Channels (or select all) you'd like to map over, and indicate any that you want to be a Group (the default option is a Thread).
6. Glue AI will message you about the status of your import! ✨

Reminder: There is a 100 MB size limitation on self-service Slack imports.