Environment
U-M Slack
Issue
How do direct messages (DMs) work in U-M Slack Enterprise Grid?
Resolution
Direct messages (DMs) are smaller conversations in Slack that occur outside of channels. They can be one-to-one or include up to nine people. DMs work well for one-off conversations that don’t require an entire channel.
In an Enterprise Grid environment like U-M Slack, direct messages are not workspace-specific which means all of your DMs with individuals in U-M Slack will be accessible from any U-M Slack workspace. This is not a functionality that can be changed or turned off.
For example, say you and your colleague, John Doe, are both members of Workspace A where you begin to direct message one another. Although you started that interaction in Workspace A, you will also access and use that same direct message in Workspace B even if John Doe is not in Workspace B.
You can find another UM-specific example below. brian, Maggie, Drew, and Rob are all members of the Maize & Blue workspace in U-M Slack. However, they are not members of the School of Information workspace (even though your direct messages with them are also accessible from that U-M Slack workspace, too).

Additional Information
Need additional information or assistance? Contact the ITS Service Center.