Run a Quick Poll in Slack and Teams

The quick version

In Slack, write a message with the question, list the options with an emoji for each, and add one reaction per option so people can tap to vote. Slack also points to polling apps in its Marketplace if you want something more formal. In Teams, open Actions and apps next to the compose box, pick Polls, type a question and at least two options, then Preview and Send.

Slack: a poll in a message

Slack's tutorial says you can set up an informal poll in a regular message. Start a message, choose an emoji for each voting option, and add them to the message with blockquote formatting so they are easier to read. Send it, and add one emoji reaction for each option yourself. Teammates then vote by clicking a reaction that is already there, which Slack says is simpler for others to add their vote. Slack's example is a poll asking which website layout the team prefers.

Slack: when you want an app

The same Slack page says you can install a polling app from the Slack Marketplace instead. We did not test any of them, and each app has its own settings, so check what it does before you add it to your workspace.

Teams: the Polls app on desktop

Select Actions and apps on the right side of the compose box. If Polls is not in the menu, select Find more apps, or open Apps on the left side of Teams. Enter your question followed by at least two answers. Polls suggests some responses, or you can type your own in the option boxes, and Options adds more. Turn on Multiple selections to let people choose more than one answer. Record names of respondents is optional, and Microsoft says only you see the responses. You can also select Share aggregated results with respondents. Select Preview to review the poll, then Edit or Send.

Teams: voting, results and mobile

People vote by choosing an option on the poll card and selecting Submit Vote, and the response summary on the card updates as votes arrive. If you created the poll, select More on the card to open the Responses Overview page in Microsoft Forms. It shows whether the poll is active, the number of responses, the average time spent, how long the poll is available and the count for each answer. From there you can open results in Excel or check individual results. On mobile, Microsoft's page says to tap Menu (...) below the message box and choose the Poll app. It allows up to 10 choices, plus a due date and a limit on who can see results in Settings.

Which one for what?

Our read: an emoji poll in Slack is the fastest way to get a rough show of hands, and it fits a team that already likes reacting. The tradeoff, in our view, is that reactions are visible in the channel, so it is an open vote. Teams Polls gives you a real results page, a Multiple selections switch and the choice to keep names private, so it suits decisions you want to count properly. If your team is on Slack and needs that, look at a Marketplace app. For picking the reaction set itself, see our list of work-friendly reactions.

What to be careful about

• Emoji polls are not private. Reactions sit in the channel for everyone to see, so use another tool for sensitive questions. This point is our own note, not from Slack.
• Add the reactions yourself. Slack suggests one reaction per option so voting is a single click.
• Teams asks for at least two options. Add your question first, then the answers.
• Recording names is optional. Turn it on only if you need to know who voted. Microsoft says only you see the responses.
• Polls may be missing from the menu. Use Find more apps or Apps on the left side of Teams to add it.
• Check any Slack Marketplace app first. We did not test them.

Sources

Checked October 20, 2026. Steps and features follow each product's own help articles. The which-one-for-what advice is ours.

• Slack: Conversations: Create a poll in Slack
• Microsoft Support: Create a poll in Microsoft Teams