Slack is mainstream now for workplace communication, so I can hazard the right guess that you use it, too. With the internal communication tool, you get a clean chat interface where you can hold a one-on-one or group conversation with your team.
Even so, Slack is still mainly about chat, although you can video or audio chat. You might find yourself in long, unending message threads about the project before you get any work done. Luckily, you can avoid long back-and-forth messages if you send an annotated Slack screenshot.
For this improvement, get the Zight screenshot app on Mac, Windows, or Chrome to capture screenshots and send them directly to Slack as follows:
Step 1: How to Capture A Screenshot with Zight
Zight is your best screenshot tool for capturing different types of screenshots, including full-page screenshots, scrolling screenshots, and even video screenshots!
You can easily capture a screenshot on Mac or screenshot on Windows, so download and open the app using the icon or the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + 5 (Mac) or Alt + Shift + 5 (Windows.)
Then, capture your screenshot by selecting a specific region and clicking and dragging your mouse. If you are taking a screenshot of a website with the Chrome extension, you can press the Space bar to capture the visible area, E for a scrolling screenshot, or D to the desktop view.
Step 2: How to Annotate A Slack Screenshot
After capturing a screenshot with Zight, it automatically uploads to the cloud and opens in your browser for annotation.
When that happens, click “Annotate” just below the image – you’ll open the annotation interface to find a comprehensive set of tools along the left side and bottom of the screen:
The primary annotation tools include:
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Annotate: Click this to open the full annotation toolbar
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Crop: You can use it to resize and trim the image
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Redact: This allows you to blur or hide sensitive information
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Numbers: You can use this to add numbered markers for step-by-step explanations
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Background: Use it to change the canvas background
Along the bottom of the interface, you’ll find drawing tools:
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Pan/Move: Allows you to navigate around the image, particularly helpful with full-page or scrolling screenshots
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Arrow: Use this to add an arrow for directional indication
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Line: Use it to create straight lines, like underlining important content
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Text: This lets you add text boxes and labels
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Ellipse/Rectangle: Use these to draw shapes to highlight areas
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Marker: It allows freehand highlighting
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Path: You can use this to create custom shapes (you can even couple Path with Numbers for a simple step-by-step guide)
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Stickers: Use stickers to add preset visual elements
You can also customize your annotations with different colors and sizes. Here’s how you can use these annotation features:
When done annotating, simply click the “Save” button in the top-right corner to preserve your changes. The annotated screenshot will remain accessible via the cloud link and can be shared with your team on Slack.
Alternative Method: Capture and Annotate A Slack Screenshot From the Zight App
You can also use a bit of a shortcut to capture and annotate your screenshot on Zight in one go. To do so, open your Zight app and click more, then find “Screenshot & Annotate” or Shift + Command + A (Mac) and Alt + Shift + A (Windows.)
Using this integrated feature, you can capture and annotate before uploading the screenshot to your Zight dashboard. Here’s a review of how the interface looks like:
You can follow the same annotation steps we discussed above – simply select the annotation, and add it to the appropriate section of the screenshot!
Step 3: How to Share an Annotated Screenshot to Slack
After annotating your screenshot with Zight, sharing it with your team on Slack should be seamless. Simply copy the automatically generated link – find “Copy Link” below the screenshot:
If you annotated the screenshot from within the Zight app, simply click “Share,” then choose from the dropdown options:
You can copy the link and then paste it directly into any Slack team channel or direct message.
Slack will immediately display a preview of your screenshot once you send it so that team members or recipients can see your annotations without leaving the platform.
Wrapping up…
You can now communicate better on Slack with this simple method. Instead of lengthy text explanations or multiple back-and-forth messages, you can visually communicate instructions through annotated screenshots.
Of course, this method will also enhance asynchronous communication at work. Your teams can always view these annotated screenshots at their convenience, rather than being online at the same time. Plus, they can always find these screenshots if you set the links to “never expire.”
So, whether sending instructions to the entire Slack team or within specific channels, Zight’s annotated screenshots will enhance clarity and reduce misunderstandings. The streamlined approach means team leaders can effectively conduct brief reviews of work, share feedback, or provide guidance without scheduling synchronous meetings.
Get Zight now to get started!
