Slack adds in-chat report builder for all users

Slack is introducing a new capability that allows users to generate interactive visualizations, polls, and reports directly within their chat conversations. The feature, known as Slackforce Surfaces, works by letting users describe their desired output in plain language to the platform's AI assistant. Instead of manually building a presentation or dashboard in a separate application, the assistant gathers relevant data from connected sources like Google Drive or Salesforce to construct the tool on the fly.

Once created, these interactive elements can be pinned to channels or shared with colleagues, enabling teams to view, interact with, and comment on the data in a shared space. The rollout includes access for free-tier users, though the ability to pull live data from external applications is scheduled for later this year. This update extends recent upgrades to the platform's AI assistant, which already handles summarizing messages and scheduling meetings.

Building visuals without leaving chat

The core workflow removes the need to export data to third-party design or analytics tools. As Ryan Gavin, Slack’s chief marketing officer, explained to The Verge, the goal is to keep the work where the conversation happens. Users can request specific visual styles, such as an arcade-themed display for tracking AI token usage across different departments. The system then generates a functional interface that reflects those preferences, allowing for immediate team interaction without switching applications.

This approach aims to reduce friction in collaborative tasks. By integrating the creation of reports and microsites into the messaging interface, Slack positions itself as a hub for both communication and lightweight productivity tasks. The feature supports various use cases, from customer support queue dashboards to financial forecasts, provided the user has granted the AI permission to access the necessary data sources.

Data access and permission limits

The feature relies on the AI assistant accessing data from connected applications to build accurate reports. Slack emphasizes that the tool will only pull information that users have explicitly permitted it to see. This is a critical trade-off: while the convenience of automated report generation is high, it depends on the breadth of integrations enabled in the workspace. Users must ensure that the correct permissions are set to avoid missing data or exposing sensitive information.

Availability and live data rollout

Slackforce Surfaces is available to all customers, including those on free plans, as long as the AI assistant is enabled in their workspace. However, the initial release does not support live data updates from external apps. That functionality is planned for October. Until then, the reports will likely rely on static snapshots of data, which may limit their utility for real-time monitoring scenarios.