Reference: blocks

Blocks are a series of components that can be combined to create visually rich and compellingly interactive messages.

Read our guide to building block layouts to learn where and how to use each of these components. You can include up to 50 blocks in each message, and 100 blocks in modals or Home tabs.

This page lists the JSON payloads that your app can use to generate each block. Select the block you'd like to build:

Blocks

Block type Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Actions block Modals Messages Home tabs Many. See below.
Context block Modals Messages Home tabs Image
Divider block Modals Messages Home tabs None.
File block Messages None.
Header block Modals Messages Home tabs None.
Image block Modals Messages Home tabs None.
Input block Modals Messages Home tabs Many. See below.
Rich text block Modals Messages Home tabs None.
Section block Modals Messages Home tabs Many. See below.
Video block Modals Messages Home tabs None.

Actions block

Holds multiple interactive elements.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs Button Checkboxes Date picker Datetime picker Multi-select menus Overflow menu Radio button Select menu Time picker Workflow buttons

Example:

An action block containing multiple interactive elements

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For an actions block, type is always actions. Yes
elements Object[] An array of interactive element objects - buttons, select menus, overflow menus, or date pickers. There is a maximum of 25 elements in each action block. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, a block_id will be generated. You can use this block_id when you receive an interaction payload to identify the source of the action. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Examples

An actions block with a select menu and a button:

{
  "type": "actions",
  "block_id": "actions1",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "static_select",
      "placeholder":{
          "type": "plain_text",
          "text": "Which witch is the witchiest witch?"
      },
      "action_id": "select_2",
      "options": [
        {
          "text": {
              "type": "plain_text",
              "text": "Matilda"
          },
          "value": "matilda"
        },
        {
          "text": {
              "type": "plain_text",
              "text": "Glinda"
          },
          "value": "glinda"
        },
        {
          "text": {
              "type": "plain_text",
              "text": "Granny Weatherwax"
          },
          "value": "grannyWeatherwax"
        },
        {
          "text": {
              "type": "plain_text",
              "text": "Hermione"
          },
          "value": "hermione"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "button",
      "text": {
          "type": "plain_text",
          "text": "Cancel"
      },
      "value": "cancel",
      "action_id": "button_1"
    }
  ]
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

An actions block with a datepicker, an overflow, and a button:

{
  "type": "actions",
  "block_id": "actionblock789",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "datepicker",
      "action_id": "datepicker123",
      "initial_date": "1990-04-28",
      "placeholder": {
        "type": "plain_text",
        "text": "Select a date"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "overflow",
      "options": [
        {
          "text": {
            "type": "plain_text",
            "text": "*this is plain_text text*"
          },
          "value": "value-0"
        },
        {
          "text": {
            "type": "plain_text",
            "text": "*this is plain_text text*"
          },
          "value": "value-1"
        },
        {
          "text": {
            "type": "plain_text",
            "text": "*this is plain_text text*"
          },
          "value": "value-2"
        },
        {
          "text": {
            "type": "plain_text",
            "text": "*this is plain_text text*"
          },
          "value": "value-3"
        },
        {
          "text": {
            "type": "plain_text",
            "text": "*this is plain_text text*"
          },
          "value": "value-4"
        }
      ],
      "action_id": "overflow"
    },
    {
      "type": "button",
      "text": {
        "type": "plain_text",
        "text": "Click Me"
      },
      "value": "click_me_123",
      "action_id": "button"
    }
  ]
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

Context block

Displays contextual info, which can include both images and text.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs Image

Example:

An example of a context block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For a context block, type is always context. Yes
elements Object[] An array of image elements and text objects. Maximum number of items is 10. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Example

{
  "type": "context",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "image",
      "image_url": "https://image.freepik.com/free-photo/red-drawing-pin_1156-445.jpg",
      "alt_text": "images"
    },
    {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "Location: **Dogpatch**"
    }
  ]
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

Divider block

Visually separates pieces of info inside of a message.

A content divider, like an <hr>, to split up different blocks inside of a message. The divider block is nice and neat, requiring only a type.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs None

Example:

An example of a divider block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For a divider block, type is always divider. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Example

{
  "type": "divider"
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

File block

Displays a remote file.

You can't add this block to app surfaces directly, but it will show up when retrieving messages that contain remote files.

If you want to add remote files to messages, follow our guide.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Messages None

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For a file block, type is always file. Yes
external_id String The external unique ID for this file. Yes
source String At the moment, source will always be remote for a remote file. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Example

{
  "type": "file",
  "external_id": "ABCD1",
  "source": "remote",
}

Displays a larger-sized text block.

A header is a plain-text block that displays in a larger, bold font. Use it to delineate between different groups of content in your app's surfaces.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs None

Example:

An example of a header block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For this block, type will always be header. Yes
text Object The text for the block, in the form of a plain_text text object. Maximum length for the text in this field is 150 characters. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Examples

A header block:

{
  "type": "header",
  "text": {
    "type": "plain_text",
    "text": "Budget Performance"
  }
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

Image block

Displays an image.

An image block, designed to make those cat photos really pop. Supported file types include png, jpg, jpeg, and gif.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs None

Example:

An example of an image block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For an image block, type is always image. Yes
alt_text String A plain-text summary of the image. This should not contain any markup. Maximum length for this field is 2000 characters. Yes
image_url String The URL for a publicly hosted image. You must provide either an image_url or slack_file. Maximum length for this field is 3000 characters. No
slack_file Object A Slack image file object that defines the source of the image. No
title Object An optional title for the image in the form of a text object that can only be of type: plain_text. Maximum length for the text in this field is 2000 characters. No
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No

Example

An image block using image_url:

{
  "type": "image",
  "title": {
    "type": "plain_text",
    "text": "Please enjoy this photo of a kitten"
  },
  "block_id": "image4",
  "image_url": "http://placekitten.com/500/500",
  "alt_text": "An incredibly cute kitten."
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

An image block using slack_file with a url:

{
  "type": "image",
  "title": {
    "type": "plain_text",
    "text": "This image block contains a reference to a Slack image file."
  },
  "block_id": "image4",
  "slack_file": {
    "url": "https://files.slack.com/files-pri/T0123456-F0123456/xyz.png"
  },
  "alt_text": "Slack file object."
}

An image block using slack_file with a id:

{
  "type": "image",
  "title": {
    "type": "plain_text",
    "text": "This image block contains a reference to a Slack image file."
  },
  "block_id": "image4",
  "slack_file": {
    "id": "F0123456",
  },
  "alt_text": "Slack file object."
}

Input block

Collects information from users via block elements.

Read our guides to collecting input in modals or in Home tabs to learn how input blocks pass information to your app.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs Checkboxes Date picker Datetime picker Email input File input Multi-select menus Number input Plain-text input Radio button Rich text input Select menu Time picker URL input

Example:

An example of an input block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For an input block, type is always input. Yes
label Object A label that appears above an input element in the form of a text object that must have type of plain_text. Maximum length for the text in this field is 2000 characters. Yes
element Object A block element. See above for full list. Yes
dispatch_action Boolean A boolean that indicates whether or not the use of elements in this block should dispatch a block_actions payload. Defaults to false. No
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message or view and each iteration of a message or view. If a message or view is updated, use a new block_id. No
hint Object An optional hint that appears below an input element in a lighter grey. It must be a text object with a type of plain_text. Maximum length for the text in this field is 2000 characters. No
optional Boolean A boolean that indicates whether the input element may be empty when a user submits the modal. Defaults to false. No

Example

An input block containing a plain-text input element.

{
  "type": "input",
  "element": {
    "type": "plain_text_input"
  },
  "label": {
    "type": "plain_text",
    "text": "Label",
    "emoji": true
  }
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

Rich text block

Displays formatted, structured representation of text.

It is also the output of the Slack client's WYSIWYG message composer, so all messages sent by end-users will have this format. Use this block to include user-defined formatted text in your Block Kit payload. While it is possible to format text with mrkdwn, rich_text is strongly preferred and allows greater flexibility.

You might encounter a rich_text block in a message payload, as a built-in type in workflow apps, or as output of the rich_text_input block element.

Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs None

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For a rich text block, type is always rich_text. Yes
elements Object[] An array of rich text objects - rich_text_section, rich_text_list, rich_text_preformatted, and rich_text_quote. See your specific desired element below for more details. Yes
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message or view and each iteration of a message or view. If a message or view is updated, use a new block_id. No

Rich text blocks can be deeply nested. For example: a rich_text_list can contain a rich_text_section which can contain bold style text. More details on how that works is shown in the examples.

Sub-elements are what comprise the elements array in a rich text block. There are four available rich text object sub-elements.: rich_text_section, rich_text_list, rich_text_preformatted, and rich_text_quote. Because many of the elements include a section block, the details of that element are listed first, followed by the others.

Section element: rich_text_section

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of sub-element; in this case, rich_text_section. Yes
elements Object [] An array of rich text elements, which can include the following types: channel, emoji, link, text, user, and usergroup. Yes
rich_text_section example
{
"type": "rich_text",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Hello there, I am a basic rich text block!"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
},
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Hello there, "
        },
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "I am a bold rich text block!",
          "style": {
            "bold": true
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
},
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Hello there, "
        },
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "I am an italic rich text block!",
          "style": {
            "italic": true
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
},
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Hello there, "
        },
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "I am a strikethrough rich text block!",
          "style": {
            "strike": true
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

View this block

List element: rich_text_list

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of sub-element; in this case, rich_text_list. Yes
style String Either bullet or ordered, the latter meaning a numbered list. Yes
elements Object [] An array of rich_text_section objects containing two properties: type, which is "rich_text_section", and elements, which is an array of rich text element objects. Yes
indent Number Number of pixels to indent the list. No
offset Number Number of pixels to offset the list. No
border Number Number of pixels of border thickness. No
rich_text_list example
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "block_id": "block1",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "My favorite Slack features (in no particular order):"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "rich_text_list",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Huddles"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Canvas"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Developing with Block Kit"
            }
          ]
        }
      ],
      "style": "bullet",
      "indent": 0,
      "border": 1
    },
  ],
}

View this block

Let's say we want to create a nested list, for example something that looks like this:

Breakfast foods I enjoy:

  • Hashbrowns
  • Eggs
    • Scrambled
    • Over easy
  • Pancakes, extra syrup

To create that in rich text, create three instances of rich_text_list, the middle one using the indent property to indent the types of eggs into that sub-list. See code below.

{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "block_id": "block1",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Breakfast foods I enjoy:"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "rich_text_list",
      "style": "bullet",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Hashbrowns"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Eggs"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "rich_text_list",
      "style": "bullet",
      "indent": 1,
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Scrambled"
            }
          ]
        },
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Over easy"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "rich_text_list",
      "style": "bullet",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Pancakes, extra syrup"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

View this block

Preformatted code block element: rich_text_preformatted

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of the sub-element; in this case, rich_text_preformatted. Yes
elements Object [] An array of rich text elements, which can include the following types: channel, emoji, link, text, user, and usergroup. Yes
border Number Number of pixels of border thickness. No

The following are the properties of the link object option in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case "link". Yes
url String The link's url. Yes
text String The text shown to the user (instead of the url). If no text is provided, the url is used. No
unsafe Boolean Indicates whether the link is safe. No
style Object An object containing two boolean properties: bold and italic. No
rich_text_preformatted example
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_preformatted",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "{\n  \"object\": {\n    \"description\": \"this is an example of a json object\"\n  }\n}"
        },
      ],
      "border": 0
    }
  ]
}

View this block

Quote element: rich_text_quote

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of the sub-element; in this case, rich_text_quote. Yes
elements Object [] An array of rich text elements, which can include the following types: channel, emoji, link, text, user, and usergroup. Yes
border Number Number of pixels of border thickness. No
rich_text_quote example
{
  "type": "rich_text",
  "block_id": "Vrzsu",
  "elements": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text_quote",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "What we need is good examples in our documentation."
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "type": "rich_text_section",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "text",
          "text": "Yes - I completely agree, Luke!"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

View this block

Rich text element types

For the rich text elements that have a field of elements, the following types are possible.

channel

The following are the properties of the channel object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case, "channel". Yes
channel_id String The ID of the channel to be mentioned. Yes
style Object An object of six optional boolean properties that dictate style: bold, italic, strike, highlight, client_highlight, and unlink. No
emoji

The following are the properties of the emoji object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case, "emoji". Yes
name String The name of the emoji; i.e. "wave" or "wave::skin-tone-2". Yes

The following are the properties of the link object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case "link". Yes
url String The link's url. Yes
text String The text shown to the user (instead of the url). If no text is provided, the url is used. No
unsafe Boolean Indicates whether the link is safe. No
style Object An object containing four boolean properties: bold, italic, strike, and code. No
text

The following are the properties of the text object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case, "text". Yes
style Object An object containing four boolean fields, none of which are required: bold, italic, strike, and code. No
user

The following are the properties of the user object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case, "user". Yes
user_id String The ID of the user to be mentioned. Yes
style Object An object of six optional boolean properties that dictate style: bold, italic, strike, highlight, client_highlight, and unlink. No
usergroup

The following ar the properties of the usergroup object type in the elements array.

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of object; in this case "usergroup". Yes
usergroup_id String The ID of the user group to be mentioned. Yes
style Object An object of six optional boolean properties that dictate style: bold, italic, strike, highlight, client_highlight, and unlink. No

Section block

Displays text, possibly alongside block elements.

A section can be used as a text block, in combination with text fields, or side-by-side with certain block elements.

Available in Surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs Button Checkboxes Date picker Image Multi-select menus Overflow menu Radio button Select menu Time picker Workflow buttons

Example:

An example of a section block

Fields

Field Type Description Required?
type String The type of block. For a section block, type will always be section. Yes
text Object The text for the block, in the form of a text object. Minimum length for the text in this field is 1 and maximum length is 3000 characters. This field is not required if a valid array of fields objects is provided instead. Preferred
block_id String A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. You can use this block_id when you receive an interaction payload to identify the source of the action. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No
fields Object[] Required if no text is provided. An array of text objects. Any text objects included with fields will be rendered in a compact format that allows for 2 columns of side-by-side text. Maximum number of items is 10. Maximum length for the text in each item is 2000 characters. Click here for an example. Maybe
accessory Object One of the compatible element objects. Be sure to confirm the desired element works with section. No

Examples

A text section block:

{
  "type": "section",
  "text": {
    "type": "mrkdwn",
    "text": "A message *with some bold text* and _some italicized text_."
  }
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

A section block containing text fields:

{
  "type": "section",
  "text": {
    "text": "A message *with some bold text* and _some italicized text_.",
    "type": "mrkdwn"
  },
  "fields": [
    {
      "type": "mrkdwn",
      "text": "High"
    },
    {
      "type": "plain_text",
      "emoji": true,
      "text": "String"
    }
  ]
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

A section block containing a datepicker element:

{
  "type": "section",
  "text": {
    "text": "*Sally* has requested you set the deadline for the Nano launch project",
    "type": "mrkdwn"
  },
  "accessory": {
    "type": "datepicker",
    "action_id": "datepicker123",
    "initial_date": "1990-04-28",
    "placeholder": {
      "type": "plain_text",
      "text": "Select a date"
    }
  }
}

View this block in Block Kit Builder

Video block

Displays an embedded video player.

A video block is designed to embed videos in all app surfaces (e.g. link unfurls, messages, modals, App Home) — anywhere you can put blocks! To use the video block within your app, you must have the links.embed:write scope.

The metadata received in the block payload will be used to construct the description, provider, and title of the video in all clients. Developers have the flexibility to leave non-mandatory fields null and use other blocks to format this content.

Requirements

  • Video blocks can only be posted by apps; users are not allowed to post embedded videos directly from Block Kit Builder.
  • Your app must have the the links.embed:write scope for both user and bot tokens.
  • video_url has to be included in the unfurl domains specified in your app.
  • video_url should be publicly accessible, unless the app relies on information received from the Events API payloads to make a decision on whether the viewer(s) of the content should have access. If so, the service could create a unique URL accessible only via Slack.
  • video_url must be compatible with an embeddable iFrame.
  • video_url must return a 2xx code OR 3xx with less than 5 redirects and an eventual 2xx.
  • video_url must not point to any Slack-related domain.

Constraints

  • Embeddable video players only (audio-only permitted)
  • Navigation, scrolling and overlays are not allowed within the iFrame.
  • Interactivity (e.g. likes, comments, and reactions) are allowed within your player but shouldn't completely overlay or navigate away from the content being embedded. These interactions will be anonymous since no user data is transferred to the embedded view.
Available in surfaces Compatible block elements
Modals Messages Home tabs None

Example:

An example of a video block for web

Fields

Property Type Description Required?
type string The type of block. For a video block, type will always be video. Yes
alt_text string A tooltip for the video. Required for accessibility Yes
author_name string Author name to be displayed. Must be less than 50 characters. No
block_id string A unique identifier for a block. If not specified, one will be generated. Maximum length for this field is 255 characters. block_id should be unique for each message and each iteration of a message. If a message is updated, use a new block_id. No
description Object Description for video in the form of a text object that must have type of plain_text. text within must be less than 200 characters. Preferred
provider_icon_url string Icon for the video provider, e.g. YouTube icon. No
provider_name string The originating application or domain of the video, e.g. YouTube. No
title Object Video title in the form of a text object that must have type of plain_text. text within must be less than 200 characters. Yes
title_url string Hyperlink for the title text. Must correspond to the non-embeddable URL for the video. Must go to an HTTPS URL. Preferred
thumbnail_url string The thumbnail image URL Yes
video_url string The URL to be embedded. Must match any existing unfurl domains within the app and point to a HTTPS URL. Yes

Examples

An example video block payload:

{
  "blocks": [
    {
      "type": "section",
      "text": {
        "type": "plain_text",
        "text": "I think it's super cool",
        "emoji": true
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "video",
      "title": {
        "type": "plain_text",
        "text": "How to use Slack.",
        "emoji": true
      },
      "title_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRxQQxiM7AA",
      "description": {
        "type": "plain_text",
        "text": "Slack is a nifty way to communicate with your team.",
        "emoji": true
      },
      "video_url": "https://www.youtube.com/embed/RRxQQxiM7AA?feature=oembed&autoplay=1",
      "alt_text": "How to use Slack?",
      "thumbnail_url": "https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RRxQQxiM7AA/hqdefault.jpg",
      "author_name": "Arcado Buendia",
      "provider_name": "YouTube",
      "provider_icon_url": "https://a.slack-edge.com/80588/img/unfurl_icons/youtube.png"
    }
  ]
}