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How can I create a word link in Slack?

By word link I mean a link which displays a word of my choice, and links to a URL independent of that word.

For instance, in SO it is achieved by typing the word in brackets and after that the link in parentheses, like this:
[foo](https://example.com): foo

Jacktose
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pasteMyCode
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    "This question is not about computer hardware or software, within the scope defined in the help center." Slack is a software actually ( : – pasteMyCode Oct 27 '18 at 08:18
  • I had the same question, this was helpful. Also confused as to how it's not about computer hardware or software. – Apollys supports Monica May 02 '19 at 00:20
  • I wish I could add an answer to this, since no-one actually provide you with the way to do this... In short: its possible, but only by using slack API for applications, and the application just need to format the text like this: `` ([source](https://api.slack.com/messaging/composing/formatting#linking-urls)) – Richard Nov 25 '19 at 06:15

2 Answers2

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Update 2020-02-24

Thank you newswim for pointing out this new feature.

See https://slack.com/help/articles/202288908-Format-your-messages :

  • Select text, then click the link icon in the formatting toolbar
  • Select text, then press ⌘ShiftU on Mac or CtrlShiftU on Windows/Linux.

Copy the link you'd like to share and paste it in the empty field under Link, then click Save.

This is not currently supported. See https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/204399343-Share-links-in-Slack :

Share links

To share a link in Slack, just copy and paste the URL into the message field and send. Most links will automatically expand to show a preview of the web page. Here's an example from the desktop app: enter image description here

Note: It’s not possible to hyperlink words in a Slack message.

wysiwyg
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    My question is why? it is allowed via the API so surely it is not a security thing. One response I've seen as to why is that slack is intended for a broad group of users and most people don't know basic markdown. But I don't buy that either as you can `*bold*`, `_italics_` etc. why not just add `[simple linking](www.example.com)`? – Matt Jun 28 '19 at 18:04
  • Not to say that the competition (I mean rocket.chat) supports such linking since forever - with the simple markdown you described. – kubanczyk Dec 05 '19 at 09:36
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    They are now with the new WYSIWYG editor: https://slack.com/help/articles/202288908-Format-your-messages – newswim Feb 14 '20 at 20:32
  • @newswim I am unable to test this, but are sure that it works? The note at the bottom of the page you linked reads: Note: To include a URL, paste it into the message input field — **it’s not currently possible to create hyperlinks in messages.** – wysiwyg Feb 14 '20 at 20:54
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    It is possible now. Click the formatting button (hover over the text input field, the button reads "Aa"). Notice the link button, it's 6th from left. – newswim Feb 17 '20 at 15:03
  • Thank you @newswim. Updated my answer to reflect the new Slack functionality. – wysiwyg Feb 24 '20 at 20:43
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As answered by @wysiwyg, users are not allowed this ability.

On the other hand, applications are perfectly able to contribute hyperlinked text. For example: https://slack.com/apps/A0F81R7U7-rss . That app produces hyperlinked text into the integrated channel regularly.

Erik Erikson
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