A Quick Introduction to Gmail keyboard shortcuts

Many people don't know that Gmail contains a feature uncommon to most webmail services- a method to conduct most of email related tasks without taking your hands off the keyboard.

For those of you already saving loads of time by using this trick please skip this post as you probably know everything I'm about to dive into. If you haven't learned how to use Gmail shortcuts I suggest you spend 5 minutes giving it a try because it will end up saving you much more. If you don't like it you can always go back to your old ways.

First off you need to enable keyboard shortcuts by opening the settings tab and toggling the appropriate radio button as shown below.



After you are done save the changes to your settings and bring up your inbox. You might now notice that there is now a black arrow pointing to the uppermost message in your inbox.

Those familiar with text editors like "VIM" know that keeping your hands on the home row (ie each index finger on a key that has a bump) can increase your productivity. Gmail adapts this concept so that you can move through your messages without having to take your hands off the home row - the 'j' button moves down while the 'k' button moves down. Although this might seem alien at first, using your middle finger to go up (pressing k) and using your index finger to go down (pressing j) becomes quite natural.

All the shortcuts are context sensitive so these short cuts are only pertinent for the "all messages" window. Other keys I find useful are the 'x' key to select multiple items and then using the '#' key to delete unwanted messages. Another trick is open the message you are currently pointing to using the 'o' button. Alternatively you can create a new message by pressing the 'c' key.

Assuming you just opened an email sent to you, you can reply to it by pressing the 'r' key or reply to all by pressing the 'a' key. Either way you land in 'compose' mode.

While in compose mode I find the following commands useful: saves a draft and typing the following keys sequentially takes you back to the all messages window: -g-a

Since I use Safari, there is currently no way to send using the keyboard. This is actually kind of a good thing because it slows you down enough to force you to consider whether or not you really want to send the email in its current state.

If you are interested in more Gmail shortcuts check out this reference sheet straight from the horses mouth