Use Google Chat keyboard shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts in Google Chat on Android, Chrome OS, macOS, and Windows. To access shortcuts in Chat, type ? anytime, except when you enter text in a field.

Use keyboard shortcuts in Chat

Important: To make the shortcuts “/,” “h then c,” “h then r,” and “q” available, enable keyboard shortcuts in the “?” dialog.

Available everywhere

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Open Keyboard Shortcut help ? ?
Search in "Chats and Spaces" / /
Focus on "Direct message" conversation list

h then c

h then c

Focus on Spaces list h then r h then r
Browse Spaces Ctrl + o Command + o
Create a Space Ctrl + i Command + i
New chat q or Ctrl + Shift + k q or Command + Shift + k

Navigating within the sidebar

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Focus on previous or next space or direct message or or
Focus on previous or next unread space or direct message Shift +or Shift + Shift +or Shift +
Move focus between “Shortcuts,” “Spaces,” or “Direct messages” Ctrl +or Ctrl + Command ↑ or Command +
Select Shortcut, Space, or Direct message or Enter or Enter
Focus on "Direct message" conversation list h then c h then c
Focus on Spaces list h then r h then r

Navigating chat messages

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Focus on previous or next message or or
Focus main reply box r or Ctrl + s

r or Command + s

Open Space or Direct message menu Ctrl + g Command + g
Focus the last message Ctrl + j Command + j
Return focus to sidebar Esc Esc

Navigating space messages

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Focus on previous or next message or or
Open the thread and focus last message
Open the thread and focus reply box Enter or r Enter or r
Focus main reply box Ctrl + s Command + s
Open Space or Direct message menu Ctrl + g Command + g
Focus the last message Ctrl + j Command + j
Open and focus the thread navigation panel h then t h then t
Return focus to sidebar Esc Esc

Navigating messages within a thread

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Focus on previous or next message or or
Focus on first message in thread Shift + Shift +
Focus on last message in thread Shift + Shift +
Go back to the main conversation
Exit to thread navigation panel Esc Esc
Focus thread reply box Enter or r Enter or r
Focus main reply box Ctrl + s Command + s

Reply box

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Send reply Enter Enter
Edit previously posted message
Insert new line in message Shift + Enter Shift + Enter
Show emoji picker : (colon) : (colon)
Return focus to messages Esc Esc
Read the preceding {number} message with a screen reader Alt + {number} Option + {number}

Navigating popups

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Move focus between main window and last chat popup Shift + Esc Shift + Esc
Go to next chat popup Ctrl + . (period) Command + . (period)
Go to previous chat popup Ctrl + , (comma) Command + , (comma)

Workspace side panel

Action ChromeOS & Windows macOS
Move focus among main window, side panel, and video call Ctrl + Alt + . (period) Command + Option + . (period)
Reverse focus among main window, side panel, and video call Ctrl + Alt + , (comma) Command + Option + , (comma)

Use keyboard shortcuts to navigate around Chat

Navigate around chat
  • To go to a conversation or space, use the Up and Down arrows. To open a conversation or space, press Enter.
  • By default, the focus is on the message or conversation box. To read messages in a 1:1 conversation or space, press Esc to exit the box, then to go through the messages, use the Up arrow.

Legacy Spaces always have 2 levels:

  • Level one is the list of conversations.
  • Level 2 is messages within a conversation.

Current Spaces can have 2 levels:

  • Level one is the main conversation.
  • Any message in the main conversation can start a thread at the second level.

Tips:

  • To move through the level, use the Up and Down arrows.
  • To change the level, use the Left and Right arrows.
    • This may start a thread if one doesn't already exist.
Start a conversation
  1. Select an option:
    • On Chrome OS and Microsoft Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + k or 'q' when not editing.
    • On macOS, press Command + Shift +or 'q' when not editing.
  2. To move through the suggestions:
    • Enter the username.
    • Use the Up and Down arrows, then press Enter.
  3. Enter your message.
  4. To send your message, press Enter.
Create or find a space
  1. Select an option:
    • On Chrome OS and Windows, press Ctrl + o.
    • On macOS, press Command + o.
  2. To create a space, enter the name.
  3. Press Tab and then Enter.
  4. To find and join a space:
    • To move through the list of spaces, use the Up and Down arrows.
    • Press Tab to highlight or “Preview” and then Enter.
Start a new conversation or message in a space
  1. Select an option:
    • On Chrome OS and Windows, press Ctrl + s
    • On macOS, press Command + s.
  2. Focus moves to the main reply box.
    • In a legacy Space, this is a new topic.
  3. Enter your message.
  4. Press Enter.
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