# Change a channel's description

{!admin-only.md!}

Channel descriptions can be used to explain the purpose of a channel, and link
to usage guidelines, resources, or related channels. They appear in the
navigation bar at the top of the web and desktop apps when you view the channel.
You can hover over long channel descriptions with the mouse to view them in
full.

Channel descriptions support Zulip's standard [Markdown
formatting][markdown-formatting], with the exception that image previews are
disabled. Use Markdown formatting to include a link to a website, Zulip
[message][message-link], or [topic][topic-link] in the channel description:
`[link text](URL)`.

{start_tabs}

{tab|desktop-web}

{relative|channel|all}

1. Select a channel.

{!select-channel-view-general.md!}

1. Click the **pencil** (<i class="fa fa-pencil"></i>) icon
   to the right of the channel name, and enter a new description.

{!save-changes.md!}

{!channel-settings-general-tab-tip.md!}

{tab|mobile}

{!mobile-all-channels-view.md!}

{!channel-name-long-press-menu.md!}

1. Tap **Channel settings**.

1. Tap **Edit channel**, and enter a new description.

1. Tap **Save**.

{!channel-name-long-press-menu-tip.md!}

{end_tabs}

{!automated-notice-channel-event.md!}

## Related articles

* [View channel information](/help/view-channel-information)
* [Rename a channel](/help/rename-a-channel)
* [Markdown formatting][markdown-formatting]
* [Channel permissions](/help/channel-permissions)

[markdown-formatting]: /help/format-your-message-using-markdown
[message-link]: /help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation#get-a-link-to-a-specific-message
[topic-link]: /help/link-to-a-message-or-conversation#get-a-link-to-a-specific-topic