This week’s Tech Tip is dedicated to Leigh Ann Key, shortcut master extraordinaire. 

Keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly perform frequent tasks. You’ve probably used a few of them in Outlook, but what you may not know is that Gmail also has an extensive set of built-in keyboard shortcuts. To enable keyboard shortcuts, select Settings from the Gmail Gear Menu:

In the settings page, under the general tab you will see an option for keyboard shortcuts. Select “Keyboard shortcuts on”, then scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save Changes”.

Once you’ve enabled keyboard shortcuts, you’ll be able to perform common tasks in Gmail without moving your hands from the keyboard. For example you can type “c” to compose a new email, “j” and “k” to navigate up and down your Inbox, “o” to open a message, “r” to reply, “e” to archive, and “s” to add or remove a star.

If that seems like a lot to remember, don’t worry. Just press “Shift+?” anywhere in Gmail to bring up the shortcuts cheat sheet.  You can also download and print this PDF and use it as a reference.

It might take some time to master keyboard shortcuts, but once you do you’ll spend much less time managing your Inbox and more time doing the things you enjoy. A good approach is to pick a handful of shortcuts and focus on learning those, then add other ones as you become comfortable.

Warning: Talk to your doctor before using keyboard shortcuts. Side-effects may include increased efficiency, severe de-cluttering of the inbox, reduced blood pressure, and a general positive outlook. Keyboard shortcuts require the use of a keyboard. Offer not valid in all 50 states. Additional restrictions may apply.

Mac users may experience additional side effects including “What’s a Ctrl Key?”, “Siri manages my Inbox for me”, and “keyboards are so 90s, I use a touchscreen” syndrome.

Bonus Tip: Win7 Shortcuts

Try these shortcuts in windows and see what they do: Win + Tab, Win + E, Win + F, Win + R, Win + D