Skip to content
FreesbeFreesbe Docsfreesbe.net

Import from Slack

An admin can bring a whole Slack workspace into Freesbe: people, public and private channels, DMs and group DMs, messages, threads, reactions, mentions, files and profile pictures. Everyone who isn’t on Freesbe yet gets an account that waits for them, with their history already in it.

1. Export from Slack

Section titled “1. Export from Slack”
  1. In Slack, open Workspace settings → Integrations & apps → Import from Slack/Export Data → Export.
  2. Choose the date range and start the export.
  3. Download the zip Slack emails you.

Slack’s file links in the export stop working after a while, so import it soon after downloading.

What’s in the export depends on your Slack plan. A standard Slack export usually contains public channels only; exports that include private channels and DMs are only available to owners on some Slack plans. Freesbe imports whatever the zip contains.

2. Upload it to Freesbe

Section titled “2. Upload it to Freesbe”
  1. In Freesbe, open Workspace settings → Integrations & apps → Import from Slack.
  2. Click Upload Slack export and pick the zip.
  3. Wait for the upload to finish. After that you can close the window; the import keeps running.

The Imports list shows each import’s progress: reading the export, adding people, creating channels, importing messages, linking threads and copying files from Slack. Stop import keeps what was brought over so far.

Importing the same export again is safe: nothing is duplicated.

A very large export (millions of messages) stops while reading the export with a note to email support@freesbe.net. Nothing has been imported at that point, and we run those imports for you.

How channels are matched

Section titled “How channels are matched”
  • A Slack public channel with the same name as an existing Freesbe public channel is merged into it.
  • Private channels are never merged; each comes in as its own private channel.
  • People who already have a Freesbe account with the same email get their Slack history on that account.

When an import finishes, everyone’s app reloads to show it.

3. Get everyone signed in

Section titled “3. Get everyone signed in”

Imported people who aren’t on Freesbe yet show Not signed in yet in Members. Each person takes over their account with a sign-in link, so nobody can claim someone else’s messages just by knowing their email.

Under People waiting to sign in, you can:

  • Email everyone their link.
  • Download links (CSV) with each person’s name, email and link, to send them yourself.
  • Copy one person’s link from Members.

Links work for 30 days. People can also take over their account themselves, with the email address Slack had for them, by:

  • Signing in with an emailed sign-in code.
  • Continuing with Google or Microsoft, when the provider confirms that address.
  • Signing in or signing up with a password, which emails them their link.

Opening a link lets someone set their name and password. If they’re already signed in to Freesbe with another account, the link adds the Slack history to the account they have.

After the move

Section titled “After the move”