Integrations
Slack
Post new submissions to a Slack channel with custom message templates, inline field values, and user or group mentions.
What you get
- Per-submission message in the channel of your choice
Custom template — type @ to insert any field value
Mention users, user groups, and broadcasts (
@here,@channel,@everyone)- Separate template for abandoned responses
- Multiple integrations per form (different channels, different templates)
Connect Slack
- 1
Open Form settings → Integrations
Pick Slack.
- 2
Authorize the workspace
You're redirected to Slack to install the formbase bot. If your workspace already has a connection, you can pick it instead.
- 3
Pick a channel
Public channels appear automatically. Private channels appear after you invite @formbase to the channel in Slack.
- 4
Compose the message
Use the template editor. Type @ to insert form field values, mention Slack users, user groups, or broadcasts (@here, @channel, @everyone). Format with bold, italic, or links.
- 5
Abandoned submissions (optional)
Pick an idle window and write a separate message for drafts nobody finished. Leave it Off to skip. Requires Pro or Business.
- 6
Finalize
Press Send test to post a preview to the channel — placeholders render as [Question title], no real answers are sent — then press Create integration. New submissions post immediately.
Message template
The template editor lets you compose the exact message posted to Slack. Type @ to open the mention menu and pick from:
Form fields — resolved to the submitted value at delivery time
Submission metadata — including PDF Link for the generated submission PDF
Slack users — live search by name; sent as a real Slack mention that pings the user
User groups — mention a group handle to notify the right team
Broadcasts —
@here,@channel, and@everyone
Bold, italic, strikethrough, inline code, and links carry through as Slack mrkdwn. Underline does not — mrkdwn has no underline. The message limit is 3,000 characters; a longer message is truncated with an ellipsis.
Abandoned response events
When a respondent starts your form but doesn’t finish, formbase can post a separate message. Set Send abandoned event after to 12 hours, 1 day, 3 days, or 1 week, and compose a dedicated Abandoned message — it cannot be left empty. Optionally narrow it with Required fields: the message fires only when at least one of the fields you pick was filled in.
A sweep runs every hour, so a message arrives at the first sweep after the idle window passes, not on the minute. Only drafts from a share link are swept — a request recipient who goes quiet is chased by the request’s own reminders instead.
Pro feature
Abandoned response delivery requires a Pro or Business plan. The core Slack integration is available on all plans. See plans & pricing.
Error handling
Token revoked — If the token is revoked or the app is reinstalled, the integration shows an error. Reconnect to restore.
Channel archived or deleted — Shows an error. Delete the integration and create a new one targeting a different channel.
Rate limited — formbase retries automatically with the delay Slack requests.
5 consecutive failures — The integration auto-pauses and the person who set it up receives an email. Fix the issue, then press Resume. See Integration health.
FAQ
Yes, but you need to invite the formbase bot to the channel first. In Slack, open the private channel and run
/invite @formbase. Then refresh the channel list in formbase — the private channel will appear.
Yes. Each integration has its own channel and message template — for example, one channel for completed submissions and another for abandoned responses.
Yes. Each OAuth install creates a separate connection. Start a new integration and authorize with a different workspace.
Yes. Slack connections are workspace-scoped, not per-user. Any workspace member can use any connected Slack account when setting up an integration.
No. Slack is a notification-style integration — only new submissions are posted after the integration is active. For historical data, use Google Sheets or Notion.
Post messages, post to public channels without membership, read channel lists, read user and group lists (for mentions), and read team info. It does not request admin permissions, message history, or file access.
Go to Form settings → Integrations → Slack and delete the integration. To also remove the formbase bot from your Slack workspace, go to Slack’s app management page and uninstall it.