Path: Workspace Homepage >> Navigation Panel >> Settings >> Community >> Integrations >> All Apps >> Slack
| What is the IdeaScale App for Slack? |
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| The IdeaScale App for Slack is an integration that connects a Slack workspace to an IdeaScale community, allowing members to submit and interact with ideas directly from Slack. |
This article outlines the steps required to install and connect the IdeaScale App for Slack. For directions on locating the app for Slack within the IdeaScale backend, see Help Article for App for Slack Connectors
Role Permissions
- Community Administrator: Installs the IdeaScale App for Slack, authorizes the Slack workspace connection, and completes the community setup within Slack.
- End User: Logs in to an already-configured community using the Community Alias and runs non-administrative commands only.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Authorize Against Slack
Set Up Community
Log In with Community
Frequently Asked Questions
Install the IdeaScale App for Slack
The Community Administrator searches for the IdeaScale App for Slack in the Slack App Directory. The App Directory is opened by selecting Browse Apps near the bottom-left of Slack, then searching for "IdeaScale" and selecting Install.
Once installed, the Community Administrator is presented with an authorization interface prompting whether to grant the app access. Select Authorize to proceed.
Note: A Slack Administrator role is not required to install the app. However, the Slack Administrator for the workspace is notified and must approve the integration before installation can proceed.
Authorize Against Slack
After the app is installed, the connection must be authorized against Slack by entering any Slack command, for example "/ideascale login".
Entering a command before the workspace is registered returns the message: "Oops, looks like your workspace hasn't been registered with IdeaScale app for Slack."
Selecting Connect Slack to IdeaScale App for Slack redirects to the authorization flow described in Set Up Community below.
Set Up Community
To set up a community in Slack, the Community Administrator must be logged in to IdeaScale. See Exceptions below for what occurs when a non-administrator attempts this step.
Once logged in, the Community Administrator selects Setup Community, which opens a dialog with the following fields:
1. Short Community URL: The community's shortened URL.
2. Community Alias: An identifier used to log in to this specific community, required when logging in later. The Community Alias cannot contain spaces and is not linked to the IdeaScale community name; it is used only for Slack login purposes. This field is particularly useful for clients managing multiple communities connected to Slack.
3. Selecting Submit on the Setup Community dialog displays the message "Finish connecting your IdeaScale Community" along with a Connect to IdeaScale Community button.
4. Selecting this button navigates to an Authorize page. Selecting Authorize completes the setup, and Slack displays the message "Setup successful!"
Log In with Community
A user logs in to the community by selecting Login to IdeaScale Account. This displays the message "Finish connecting your IdeaScale account" along with a Connect to IdeaScale Community button. Selecting this button, followed by Authorize, completes the login. Slack then displays the message "Sign-in success."
Once signed in, community commands can be run, such as "/ideascale hot" to view hot ideas. Running "/ideascale help" displays the full list of available commands.
Exceptions
- Slack Administrator Approval: Installation of the IdeaScale App for Slack requires approval from the Slack Administrator for the workspace, even though the person performing the installation does not need to hold that role.
- Non-Administrator Setup Attempt: If a user who is not a Community Administrator attempts to set up a community in Slack, the message "You need to be an admin for this community in order to proceed with the current action" is displayed. The Community List button, and the community list itself, only appear once a community has already been set up; they remain hidden otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an end user need to do if the community setup is already complete on their workspace?
The end user logs in using the command "/ideascale login [Community Alias]." End users cannot use administrator-specific commands.
Does installing the app on the workspace require Slack Administrator access?
A Slack Administrator role is not required to perform the installation, but the Slack Administrator for the workspace must approve the app installation before it can proceed.
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