In fact, it can be difficult to learn about deeper customizations even for those who might consider themselves power users. However, if you’re looking for how to make your keyboard shortcuts in Gmail custom, that’s actually quite easy to accomplish. And, as you undoubtedly know since you’ve landed here, that’s exactly what this guide sets out to teach.
You’ll need to turn on custom Gmail keyboard shortcuts first
In Gmail, custom keyboard shortcuts aren’t actually available by default so you’ll need to start by learning how to turn those on first. The process can feel a bit involved. But it isn’t difficult. The primary reason it can feel overwhelming is that there are simply so many options in the Gmail settings, to begin with. But, if you know where you’re supposed to look, it is fairly straightforward. Albeit, with one glaring caveat, as is often the case with how-to guides. This only presently works in a desktop browser or in desktop mode on non-desktop platforms via the web. If you still don’t see the shortcuts, reload Gmail using the refresh button on your browser or by closing the tab and then opening Gmail in a new tab. Conversely, you may also need to activate keyboard shortcuts, to begin with. Those can be activated by following steps 1 through 3 above. Then, in the “General” settings tab, by scrolling down and selecting “Keyboard shortcuts on” under the “Keyboard shortcuts:” subheading.
Now you can customize your shortcuts
Now that custom keyboard shortcuts are active in Gmail, it’s time to learn how to actually make turn them into custom shortcuts. Namely, by customizing them. And this process is relatively straightforward as well.
If you forget your keyboard shortcuts
Now, there are a lot of keyboard shortcuts to remember in Gmail. Although it will undoubtedly become easier to remember those you utilize most often. If at any point, you forget the shortcuts, Gmail also has a solution for how to remember — rather than just to set — custom keyboard shortcuts. Namely, by using the “?” shortcut. Of course, if you need a full refresher, you can also always navigate back to the Keyboard Shortcuts settings UI using the steps above for customizing those. And, if you need to reset them to their defaults, there’s an option at the bottom right-hand side to accomplish that. Or you can turn them off following the above steps to turn them on. But by selecting the “Disable” option instead of “Enable” in step 6.
