Here’s a handy, printable, 1-page list of keyboard shortcuts for the Gmail webmail service.  Commas (“,”) below denote a key sequence.  <shift> works with many actions to open a new window.

Writing and Sending Gmail

Key

Definition

Action

c

Compose

Compose a new email.

r

Reply

Reply to an email.

a

Reply All

Reply to all recipients of an email.

f

Forward

Forward the current email.

<esc>, a

Change to Reply All

Change a reply to a reply all.  Also works with “r”, “f” to change to a forward or reply to sender only.

<tab>, <enter>

Send Email

Tab to the send button and press it.

Navigating Gmail

Gmail has two sets of navigation keys (one for conversations and one for messages).

Key

Definition

Action

k

Newer Conversation

Move cursor to newer conversation.

j

Older Conversation

Move cursor to older conversation.

p

Previous

Previous message in conversation.

n

Next

Next message in conversation.

o or
<enter>

Open

Open a conversation.

Expand / Collapse

Expand / collapse a message.

u

Return

Return to conversation view from message view.

Refresh

Refresh conversation view.

g, a

Go to All mail

Go to All mail view.  Works also with “s” and “i" to go to Starred or Inbox.

<esc>

Escape Input Field

Removes the cursor from your current input field.

Acting on Email

Key

Definition

Action

y

Archive

Remove from current view.

- In Star View, unstars.

- In Spam View, unspams and moves to Inbox.

- In Trash View, moves to Inbox.

- In Label View, unlabels.

/

Search

Move cursor to search box.

-

x

Select

Select conversation.

Necessary to apply labels, archive, or do other actions.

s

Star

Star the conversation.

!

Report Spam

Mark as spam and move to Spam View.

r

Resume email

Resume writing email in spell checking

Searching Gmail

In addition to normal keyword search, Gmail has some advanced operators that are useful. Use the meta operator “OR” (all caps) to force Boolean “or” between terms (Gmail uses AND by default).

Operator

Description

from:

Limit emails to ones matching the sender.  Also works with “to:”, “subject:”, “cc:”  and “bcc:” fields

has:

Search for emails with attachment, in “has:attachment  Unclear whether this works for other values.

after:

Limit emails to date range of yyyy/mm/dd format.  Also works with “before:” operator

in:

Limit email to particular views.  Possible values are “in:anywhere”, “in:inbox”, “in:trash”, “in:spam”.

is:

Limit emails with some status.  Possible values are “is:starred”, “is:read”, “is:unread".

filename:

Search for attachment by filename.

label:

Search messages restricted to those with a particular label.


Addressing Gmail

- Gmail supports plus addressing. 

johndoe+shopping@gmail.com will be received by user johndoe.  Useful with filters to create multiple identities or roles.

 

- Gmail removes punctuation in gmail addresses. 

Mail directed at johndoe@gmail.com can be received by user john.doe.  As with all email, it’s also case insensitive.

 

- Gmail doesn’t (yet) support mailing lists, but you there are workarounds.

http://www.gmailforums.com/index.php?showtopic=1930

http://www.gmailforums.com/index.php?showtopic=887

Other useful sites and disclaimer

I’ve drawn on several different sites to compile the information in this quick reference guide.  You should check out these and other sites as this document gets outdated.  There are many others that have useful information about accessibility, privacy and portability, but they are not the focus of this guide.

 

-          gmailtips.com

-          gmailforum.com

-          gmailgems.blogspot.com

-          www.lasnik.net/professional/details/google/

-          g04.com/html/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=71

-          www.googlemania.com/gmail-manual-buscador.php


Origin

Originally, I printed out the keyboard shortcuts from the Gmail help but it consumed more than a single page and missed out on some additional commands found on other websites.

 

If you have any additions, please let me know.  Thanks!

 

-- Min