As you know different operating system, browsers, or online services can also be controlled with their pre-defined keyboard shortcuts and as previously I provided keyboard shortcuts for Windows computer, Windows taskbar and web browser so today I again came with the article about keyboard shortcuts. Yes friends, in this post I will tell you about all the useful keyboard shortcuts for smartly use your Gmail account.
One more thing – do you know that some keyboard shortcuts are turned off in Gmail? I mean, only after turning them on you will be able to use them. This kind of keyboard shortcuts are called Optional Keyboard Shortcuts. And some keyboard shortcuts are by default turned on already.
So, first of all I will tell you about keyboard shortcuts that are already turned on and you can try them anytime without doing anything and after that I will enlist some useful optional keyboard shortcuts and also tell you how to turn them in your Gmail account.
Now, have a look on the following keyboard shortcuts for your Gmail account:
Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts – Automatically Enabled
These keyboard shortcuts are automatically enabled in every Gmail account so you can go and try them out.
Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts Used in Chat, Compose and Message
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Shift + Escape | Focus main window |
| Escape | Focus latest chat or compose window |
| Ctrl + . | Go to next chat or compose window |
| Ctrl + , | Go to previous chat or compose window |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send your message |
| Ctrl + Shift + c | Add cc recipient |
| Ctrl + Shift + b | Add bcc recipient |
| Ctrl + k | Insert link |
| down arrow | Move down to previous message |
| up arrow | Move up to next message |
| n | In a conversation, move down to the next message |
| p | In a conversation, move up to the previous message |
| Enter | Open currently focused message |
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Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts Used for Formatting
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + b | Bold |
| Ctrl + i | Italics |
| Ctrl + u | Underline |
| Ctrl + Shift + 7 | Numbered list |
| Ctrl + Shift + 8 | Bulleted list |
| Ctrl + Shift + 9 | Quoted text |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Align left |
| Ctrl + Shift + e | Align center |
| Ctrl + Shift + r | Align right |
| Ctrl + [ | Indent less |
| Ctrl + ] | Indent more |
Optional Keyboard Shortcuts – Enable First
Now, I’m going to tell you about some optional keyboard shortcuts to be used on your Gmail account but these shortcuts are not automatically turned on but you will have to enable them first. To enable the optional Gmail keyboard shortcuts, go to your Gmail Settings. In the General tab, click Keyboard shortcuts on and save your changes.
Gmail Shortcuts for Composing and replying to messages
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| c | Compose a new mail |
| r or a | Reply to sender or reply all |
| f | Forward the mail |
Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigation
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| g then i | Go to Inbox |
| / | Place cursor in Search field |
| q | Place cursor in chat search |
| Esc | Remove cursor from your current input field |
| x | Select message |
| j or k | Move down/ up to previous message |
| * + a or n | Select/ unselect all messages in message list |
| { or } | Archive current message, then open next/previous message |
Shortcuts for Moving and Marking Selected Messages
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| e or y | Archive message (y removes label when in label view) |
| # | Delete the message |
| v | Open Move to menu (use autocomplete to select label) |
| l | Open Labels menu (use autocomplete to select label) |
| . (period) | Open More Actions menu (use up/down arrow to select) |
| Shift + i or u | Marks selected messages as read or unread |
| _ (underscore) | Mark as unread from the selected message |
| z | Undo last action |
| m | Mute the conversation (mailing lists only) |
| ! | Report Spam |
| + or - | Mark as important or unimportant |
| s | Star message (keep pressing s to rotate through options) |
| Shift + t | Add conversation to Tasks |
Other Useful Articles for Gmail Users:
- How to Undo Mistakenly Sent Mail in Gmail
- How to Use Gmail Without Internet Connection
- More Tips for Gmail >>
I hope these keyboard shortcuts will be proven very useful for all Gmail users. Are you searching for any other keyboard shortcut for Gmail? Let me know via comments!
I think here are not all the keyboard shortcuts for gmail. Right?
Yea, there may be not all the Gmail shortcuts here, I listed only frequently used shortcuts.
Very nice shortcut keys for gmail account.
Very useful shortcuts for Gmail users.
Some Gmail shortcuts are not working!
Which one is not working? Maybe you would be trying optional keyboard shortcuts. If so, firstly you will be required to turn them on in your Gmail from Gmail Settings.
Thanks Raman for putting all these Gmail shortcuts at one place.