An apparatus is provided configured for parsing and formatting a message in a group-based communication interface. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor(s) configured to receive an input string generated through user engagement of the group-based communication interface. The processor is also configured to parse the input string to identify a structured format string. The processor is further configured to, in a circumstance where the structured format trigger is identified in the input string, apply a structured format to the input string to generate a structured message object for rendering to the group-based communication interface. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.