Do you want to become a pro in Gmail and boost your email productivity? Then, it is crucial to understand Gmail’s keyboard shortcuts to memory. These shortcuts simplify navigation, composing, and formatting, which allows you to accomplish more tasks with less time spent on mouse clicks.
In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of all Gmail keyboard shortcuts. The tips provided here are relevant to Gmail’s web version.
Note: Don’t forget to keep this list handy to learn it properly, and in no time, these Gmail keyboard shortcuts will set in your mind.
Table of Contents
What Are The Advantages Of Using Keyboard Shortcuts?
There are lots of advantages for the users of using Keyboard shortcuts, which include:
- Keyboard shortcuts offer a range of advantages. They enhance efficiency by enabling quick actions, like copying text with “Ctrl” + “C.”
- These shortcuts provide convenience as they eliminate the need to switch between keyboard and mouse, like “Windows” + “D” to access the Desktop.
- Moreover, they boost accuracy by reducing typing errors, and customization allows users to tailor shortcuts to their preferences, like creating one for a favorite website.
- Additionally, keyboard shortcuts promote precision, aiding tasks such as word selection with “Ctrl” + “F.”
- They can contribute to better ergonomic practices, potentially preventing health issues like carpal tunnel syndrome by minimizing mouse usage.
How Do I Enable Keyboard Shortcuts In Gmail?
To enable keyboard shortcuts in Gmail, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Open Gmail and click on the Settings icon (represented by a cogwheel) located in the top-right corner.
Step 2: In the dropdown menu, select “See all settings.”
Step 3: Scroll down to the “Keyboard shortcuts” section.
Step 4: Check the box next to “Keyboard shortcuts on” to enable them.
Step 5: To save your changes, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save Changes.
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The Best Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts Tips To Boost Email Productivity
Tip 1: The Keyboard Shortcut For Create, Send, and Forward Email.
Here are some handy Gmail keyboard shortcuts for efficiently managing your email:
1. Compose a new email (C): Quickly start a new email by pressing the C key.
2. Compose in a new tab (D): Open a fresh email composition window in a new browser tab with the D key.
3. Send an email (Ctrl + Enter): To dispatch your currently open email, simply press Ctrl + Enter.
4. Forward a message (F): Forward an open email by pressing the F key.
Note: Please remember that if you’re using a Mac, you can use the Command key instead of Ctrl.
Tip 2: Keyboard Shortcuts For Streamline Email Replies.
Simplify your email communication with these keyboard shortcuts:
1. Use the ‘R’ key To reply to any of your messages swiftly.
2. Press ‘A’ To respond to all recipients when needed.
Tip 3: Use These Keyboard Shortcuts To Scroll Through Emails.
Simplify your email management by utilizing these convenient keyboard shortcuts for seamless navigation through your messages and lengthy email conversations:
1. Scroll Down an Email List: To move down your email list, simply press the J key.
2. Scroll Up an Email List: For scrolling upwards through your email list, use the K key.
3. Scroll Through an Email Thread: To rapidly browse through multiple conversations within an email thread, press N.
Tip 4: Keyboard Shortcut For Selecting Multiple Emails.
To efficiently choose multiple emails at once, use this time-saving method to avoid individually clicking each one:
Select a consecutive group of emails (Shift): Start by ticking the checkbox next to the first email in the sequence.
Then, while holding down the Shift key, tick the checkbox for the last email in the series.
This action will highlight all emails between those two selections.
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Tip 5: Adding Formatting To Email Text By Using Shortcut Keys.
To apply formatting to your email text, use the following commands as you compose your message. Similarly, you can undo these formatting actions with the same shortcut:
1. Make text bold: Select the text you want to emphasize, and then press Ctrl + B.
2. For Italic text: Highlight the text you want to give an italic style, and then press Ctrl + I.
3. Underline text: Select the text you want to underline, and then press Ctrl + U.
4. To reverse the last action, press Ctrl + Z to undo it.
Tip 6: Using Keyboard Shortcuts To Enhance Email Content.
You can conveniently add links, numbered lists, and bullet points to your emails using these keyboard shortcuts:
1. To add a hyperlink, simply highlight the text and press Ctrl + K.
2. For inserting a numbered list, position the cursor where you want it and press Ctrl + Shift + 7.
3. To insert bullet points, place the cursor where you desire and press Ctrl + Shift + 8.
Tip 7: The Simple Email Management Shortcuts.
Here are some handy email management shortcuts:
1. Search an email (/): Simply press the / key to quickly locate emails by placing the cursor in the search bar.
2. Archive an email (E): To archive an email, open it or select it by clicking the sender’s name, then press E.
3. Delete an email (Shift + 3): Open an email or select it by clicking the sender’s name, and press Shift + 3 to move it to the trash.
4. Mark an email as unread (Shift + U): Open an email or select it by clicking the sender’s name, then press Shift + U to set it as unread.
5. Highlight a message as important (Shift + =): Open an email or select it by clicking the sender’s name and press Shift + = to designate it as important.
Tip 8: Gmail Navigation Shortcuts.
You can use various shortcuts for smoother navigation in Gmail. These shortcuts involve pressing individual keys in sequence rather than simultaneously.
1. Access Google Tasks: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘K’ to open Google Tasks.
2. View Contacts: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘C’ to access your contacts list.
3. Check Starred Messages: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘S’ to see your starred Gmail conversations.
4. Explore Sent Messages: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘T’ to view sent messages.
5. Examine Drafts: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘D’ to access your message drafts.
6. Review All Mail: Press ‘G’ followed by ‘A’ to see all your email messages.
7. Navigate Fields: Use the ‘Tab’ key to move between different fields in your email composition screen. To go in the opposite direction, use ‘Shift + Tab’.
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How Do I Use Custom Keyboard Shortcuts In Gmail?
To customize keyboard shortcuts in Gmail for a more tailored experience, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Gmail and click on the Settings icon (represented by a cog) located in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Select “See all Settings” from the menu that appears.
Step 3: Navigate to the “Advanced” tab.
Step 4: Look for “Custom keyboard shortcuts” and click on “Enable.”
Step 5: At the bottom of the page, make sure to click “Save Changes.”
Step 6: Return to the “See all settings” page and switch to the “Keyboard Shortcuts” tab.
Step 7: For each specific action, input the custom shortcut key(s) you prefer. Note that you cannot assign the same key(s) to multiple actions.
Step 8: Once you’ve set your desired shortcuts, scroll down and confirm your changes by clicking “Save Changes.
Conclusion
Keyboard shortcuts offer users a highly advantageous means to navigate their devices effortlessly. Using these keyboard shortcuts, users can streamline their mailing interactions, which helps you save both time and energy. Hope you liked these useful tips for Gmail shortcuts in this article of ours; please share it with others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are keyboard shortcut keys?
Ans: Keyboard shortcut keys are specific keys or combinations of keys on your keyboard that allow you to perform various tasks more quickly and efficiently.
Q. How can I access all Gmail shortcuts?
Ans: If you ever forget a Gmail shortcut and need a quick reference, simply press Shift + ? to open the keyboard shortcut. This will show you the complete list of Gmail keyboard shortcuts anytime.
Q. Why are Gmail Keyboard shortcuts not working?
Ans: Many people have the same issue with their Gmail keyboard shortcuts not working. This is often because the shortcuts are initially disabled. You need to enable them in your Gmail settings to make them functional.
