How to migrate from Slack to Microsoft Teams

In 2024, Microsoft Teams reached 320 million active users each month, more than twice what it was just a few years back! That kind of adoption doesn’t happen by accident. It shows just how much businesses value built-in collaboration tools today.

If your team’s been using Slack but you’re thinking about making the switch to Microsoft Teams, you’re definitely not the only ones. Lots of companies are choosing Teams because it offers tighter integrations, stronger security and all-in-one communication tools.

While it’s promising, the move isn’t always as straightforward as flipping a switch. There’s data to transfer, workflows to rethink and teams to prepare. But don’t worry. We’ll break it all down for you in this guide, so your migration is clear-cut, well-organised and gets your team up and running quickly.

What is Slack used for?

Slack is a popular messaging platform that helps teams communicate in real-time. It’s built around Workspaces which are like virtual offices.

Basically, inside each Slack workspace you’ll find channels which function as chat rooms where team members can talk about specific topics, projects or departments. You can also send direct messages in private channels to individuals or small groups.

One of Slack’s biggest strengths is how easy it is to customise. It connects with thousands of third-party apps, such as Google Drive, Zoom, Trello, and more, so teams can create a workflow that suits their needs. That’s why it’s incredibly popular with startups and tech-savvy teams who want flexibility and a wide range of tools to plug in.

What makes Microsoft Teams different?

While Slack stands out when it comes to flexibility and third-party integrations, Microsoft Teams is built with productivity and structure in mind, especially for businesses already using Microsoft 365.

Instead of Workspaces and Channels, Teams is structured around Teams and Channels (yes, the naming is similar but the layout is more tightly connected to your organisation’s structure). Within each Team, you can create channels for different projects, departments or tasks, which makes it much easier to keep conversations organised.

What sets Teams apart is how deeply it’s integrated with Microsoft tools like Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel and Word. You can schedule meetings, collaborate on documents in real-time, and manage tasks without switching apps. Essentially, it’s an all-in-one hub for communication, collaboration and daily workflow.

Slack vs. Microsoft Teams: Key differences at a glance

You’re up to speed now on how each platform works. Let’s now make these differences even clearer with a side-by-side breakdown, highlighting what sets them apart in terms of structure, features and overall fit for your business:

How to migrate from Slack to Microsoft Teams: Step-by-step guide

Now that you’ve seen how Microsoft Teams compares to Slack, let’s dive into the actual migration. This process involves more than just moving files from one platform to the next. It requires careful planning and execution, so let’s walk you through each step: 

Step 1: Plan your migration

Before making any moves, take time to audit your existing Slack environment. This ensures you only bring over what you need. Start by identifying:

• Active channels: Both public and private channels. Which ones are still being used?
• Direct messages: Are there conversations or files you’ll need to reference later?
• User roles and permissions: Who has admin access? Who needs to be in which Team?
• Connected apps and integrations: Note which tools are linked to Slack (e.g. Google Drive, Trello).

Next, decide what’s worth migrating. You don’t have to move everything. Archiving old content or unused channels now will help you avoid clutter in Teams.

Finally, sketch out your ideal Teams structure. Ask yourself:

• What Teams should be created (e.g. Marketing, Projects, Operations)?
• What Channels should live inside each Team?
• Who needs access to what?

Step 2: Partner with a Microsoft specialist

Moving from Slack to Microsoft Teams can feel difficult, but having the right help really makes a world of difference. Instead of going it alone or relying just on general tools, working with a Microsoft specialist means a smoother, safer migration that fits your organisation perfectly.

A trusted Microsoft partner will:

• Take a close look at your setup and what you want to achieve.
• Create a tailored migration plan that keeps downtime and data loss to a minimum.
• Manage user mapping, permissions and app connections with care.
• Offer ongoing support before, during and after the move, so your team stays confident and productive.

Step 3: Map your users and channels

Before you start migrating, it’s important to make sure every Slack user has a matching Microsoft Teams account. Usually, this means syncing users through Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) or Microsoft 365 to keep things secure and straightforward.

Next, think about how your Slack channels will fit into Teams. It’s not always a one-to-one swap:

• A single Slack workspace might turn into one big Team, or you might break it up into several Teams depending on your organisation’s needs.

• Individual Slack channels could become channels within a Team. Or, if they’re large or separate enough, they might even become their own Teams.

This step is a perfect chance to take a fresh look at how your team works together. You can reorganise channels and Teams to better reflect your current workflows.

Step 4: Keep your team in the loop

A successful Slack to Teams migration doesn’t just rely on the right technology. It also depends on your people, which is why clear, early communication with your team is key.

Here’s what to share with them (and when):

• The migration timeline: Let everyone know when the switch is happening and what to expect at each stage.
  
• What’s coming over: Be clear about what data (messages, files, channels) will be migrated, and what won’t.
  
• Any action required: For example, will they need to sign into Microsoft Teams, reset passwords or reconnect any apps?
  
• Where to get support: Direct people to a contact, helpdesk or internal guide if they have questions or experience issues.

It’s also a great idea at this stage to offer training resources, such as videos, how-to guides or live demos. This will help get your team familiar with Microsoft Teams before the switch happens.

Step 5: Run a test migration

Before rolling out the migration across your entire organisation, it’s smart to run a pilot with a small group of users. This trial run gives you a chance to catch any issues early and make adjustments before going live.

Here’s what you can test during the pilot:

• Formatting and data accuracy: Are messages, files and channels showing up correctly in Teams?
• User permissions: Do the right people have access to the right Teams and channels?
• App functionality: Are connected tools and workflows behaving as expected?

Step 6: Launch the full migration

Once your test run has gone smoothly and your team’s up to speed, it’s time to go live with the full migration.

Try to schedule the switch during a quiet time, like after hours or over the weekend. This will help make sure your team isn’t disrupted mid-project. Then, once the move is done, take a moment to check that everything landed where it should. For example:

• Are channels and messages showing up correctly?
• Can everyone access the files they need?
• Are the right people in the right Teams with the right permissions?

After that, help your team settle into the new platform. Encourage team leads to explore some of the built-in features, such as shared calendars, real-time file collaboration and scheduling meetings directly in Teams. The more confident they feel using it, the faster your whole team will get comfortable.

Ready to make the switch?

Migrating from Slack to Microsoft 365 isn’t simply a technology upgrade. It’s your chance to rethink how your team connects, shares and works together across your business. 

With the right preparation and support, this process can be smooth, efficient and a huge win for your business. At ADITS, we’re passionate about guiding businesses like yours through every stage of their digital migration, from initial planning to implementation and long-term support.

Take the stress out of switching platforms. Contact us now and let’s make your move to Microsoft Teams smooth and successful.