Images not appearing in Slack post

Context:

I created a Slack workflow where users submit a Slack form and each field is added to a Google Sheet.

From there, I am using Zapier to trigger a workflow when a new row is added to the Google Sheet. One step in the Zap is to send a message to an internal Slack channel, including a link to any images that the user uploaded in the Slack form.

The Problem:

When some users click on the link to view the uploaded image, they get an error (see screenshots below). Strangely, this issue only happens for some users but not for others.

Further Details:

When users upload an image via the Slack form, it gets added to the Google Sheet in this type of format: https://officernd.slack.com/files/U0529SHEUFQ/F08PN6SS7EY/screenshot_2025-04-24_at_17.16.02.png
In the Zap, the Slack message that is sent is configured with the above URL included in the Message Text section of the config.
This may be relevant: For those who CAN open the image in Slack, the image is labeled as a “Private file”.

Page 1 / 1

Hi @Ethan OfficeRnD

That’s likely because the image link requires a login to view.

The images would need to be made publicly accessible.

Thanks Troy, I’ll look into that. However, as this is an internal Slack channel for our company, all users who click the link should already be signed-in, correct?

@Ethan OfficeRnD

It’s likely related to it being a “private file” as you mentioned.

A Slack API request may be needed as a Zap step to get the file public URL to use.

Try using this Zap Action: Slack - API Request

https://api.slack.com/methods/files.sharedPublicURL

For context, the Zap trigger: Slack - New File

Has a field setting for: Shared

Thanks Troy, appreciate the help!

Useful links

Sign up

Use your Zapier credentials

Log in to the Community

Use your Zapier credentials

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded