Gmail has so many excellent features that it can be difficult to keep track of them all -- and every once in a while, you stumble across some nifty ones that you had completely forgotten about, such as the keyboard shortcuts we're about to explore.
Note: To be able to use the following shortcuts, you’ll need to enable them by navigating to Settings > General > Keyboard shortcuts and enabling the Keyboard shortcuts on setting:
Navigating Gmail
- gi: Takes you to the inbox.
- gs: Takes you to the Starred folder.
- ga: Takes you to All Mail.
- gc: Takes you to your Contacts list.
- /: Activates the search box by placing the cursor in it.
Switching Between Messages
- j: Moves the cursor to the next oldest conversation (or opens it if you’re already in Conversation View).
- k: Moves the cursor to the next most recent conversation.
- p: Moves the cursor to the next oldest message in Conversation View.
- n: Moves the cursor to the next most recent message in Conversation View.
Dealing with Messages
- x: Selects/deselects highlighted conversation (marked by a blue cursor).
- s: Stars/unstars conversation.
- #: Deletes conversation.
- e: Archives conversation.
- !: Marks message as spam.
- Enter: Opens highlighted conversation (or opens highlighted message in Conversation View).
Wait, that's not all. Gmail has many other shortcuts that you’re not using. Hit ? to bring up the full list.
Now let's hear about the Gmail shortcuts that you consider indispensable!