# Onboarding with default channels and workspace invitations

*Slack Administrator Study Guide · User Lifecycle Management · Last updated October 21, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-administrator/user-lifecycle-management/onboarding-with-default-channels-and-workspace-invitations*

How new people reach the right workspaces and channels: workspace default channels and who they skip, org-wide default channels with Required membership, adding existing org members to a workspace, and how invitations and invite links work per plan and under SSO.

- Certification: Salesforce Slack Administrator
- Exam section: User Lifecycle Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/slack-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> Determine the process for getting new users into the right workspace(s) and channels.

## What the exam expects

- Set workspace default channels so new hires land in the right public channels, and explain why existing members and guests are not added.
- Make a channel mandatory for everyone in an Enterprise org with an org-wide default channel set to Required membership.
- Add existing org members to a new workspace from the org directory or through an IdP group.
- Explain who can send invitations and invite links on each plan, and why the invite link option disappears once SSO is on.

Key terms:
- **Default channel**: a public channel that new members of a workspace join automatically.
- **Org-wide default channel**: a public, org-wide multi-workspace channel that an Org Owner or Admin sets as default for the whole Enterprise org, with Optional or Required membership.
- **Required membership**: the org-wide default channel setting under which members can't leave the channel.
- **Invite link**: a shareable link that lets anyone who clicks it join the workspace, active for 30 days and usable by up to 400 people.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Default channel type | Public channels only | [Default channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members) |
| #general | Members always added; can't be changed | [Default channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members) |
| Existing members | Not added when a workspace default channel is set | [Default channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members) |
| Guests | Never auto-added to default channels | [Default channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members) |
| Org-wide default channels | Public, org-wide multi-workspace; up to 25; Optional or Required | [Default channels](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members) |
| Required membership | Members can't leave the channel | [Explore Channel Types](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/slack-channel-strategy-basics/explore-channel-types) |
| Add org members to a workspace | Organization settings > Workspaces > Add Members, or connect IdP groups | [Add members to workspaces](https://slack.com/help/articles/115001344667-Add-members-to-workspaces-in-an-Enterprise-organization) |
| Invitation lifetime | Active for 30 days; owners and admins can resend | [Invite new members](https://slack.com/help/articles/201330256-Invite-new-members-to-your-workspace) |
| Invite link | Free, Pro, Business+; 30 days; up to 400 people | [Invite new members](https://slack.com/help/articles/201330256-Invite-new-members-to-your-workspace) |
| Invite link under SSO | Option not shown once SSO is enabled | [Invite new members](https://slack.com/help/articles/201330256-Invite-new-members-to-your-workspace) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a long-time member not appear in a channel that was just made a default channel?
- When can an org-wide channel stop members from leaving it?
- How many people can use one workspace invite link, and for how long?
- Why can't a team lead find Copy invite link after the workspace turned on SAML SSO?

## Sources

- [Set default channels for new members](https://slack.com/help/articles/201898998-Set-default-channels-for-new-members)
- [Invite new members to your workspace](https://slack.com/help/articles/201330256-Invite-new-members-to-your-workspace)
- [Add members to workspaces in an Enterprise organization](https://slack.com/help/articles/115001344667-Add-members-to-workspaces-in-an-Enterprise-organization)
- [Connect identity provider groups to your Enterprise organization](https://slack.com/help/articles/115001435788-Connect-identity-provider-groups-to-your-Enterprise-organization)
- [Explore Channel Types](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/slack-channel-strategy-basics/explore-channel-types)
- [Maximize Access & Security in Slack](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/identity-management-in-slack/explore-access-and-security-controls)
- [Set up SAML single sign-on for Slack](https://slack.com/help/articles/203772216-SAML-single-sign-on)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 5 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Slack Administrator pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams