Chromebooks offer a unique set of keyboard shortcuts that help users navigate and use their devices more efficiently. Here are some of the essential keyboard shortcuts for Chromebooks:
System and Window Management:
- Search: Press the Search key (or Launcher key)
- Caps Lock: Alt + Search
- Lock your screen: Search + L
- Log out of your Chromebook: Shift + Ctrl + q (twice)
- Take a screenshot: Ctrl + Show windows (or Ctrl + F5)
- Take a partial screenshot: Shift + Ctrl + Show windows (or Shift + Ctrl + F5)
- Toggle external monitor: Mirror: Ctrl + Full Screen (or Ctrl + F4)
- Open the status area (where the time, battery, and WiFi icons are): Shift + Alt + s
Browser Navigation (within Chrome):
- Go to the previous page in your browser history: Alt + Left arrow
- Go to the next page in your browser history: Alt + Right arrow
- Reload the current page: Ctrl + r
- Bookmark the current page: Ctrl + d
- Open a new window: Ctrl + n
- Open a new tab: Ctrl + t
- Close the current tab: Ctrl + w
- Close the current window: Shift + Ctrl + w
- Reopen the last closed tab: Shift + Ctrl + t
- Toggle full-screen mode: Ctrl + Full Screen (or Ctrl + F4)
Text Editing:
- Copy selected content: Ctrl + c
- Cut selected content: Ctrl + x
- Paste content from the clipboard: Ctrl + v
- Paste content without formatting: Shift + Ctrl + v
- Undo an action: Ctrl + z
- Redo an undone action: Shift + Ctrl + z
Function Keys:
On a traditional keyboard, the function keys range from F1-F12. On a Chromebook, the top row of keys corresponds to these, but they primarily serve as system controls. Here’s what they correspond to:
- Escape: Esc
- Back: F1
- Forward: F2
- Refresh: F3
- Full Screen: F4
- Show Windows: F5
- Brightness Down: F6
- Brightness Up: F7
- Mute: F8
- Volume Down: F9
- Volume Up: F10
- Power Button: F12 (on some models)
Other Useful Shortcuts:
- Toggle accessibility features: Ctrl + Alt + z
- Toggle immersive mode: Shift + Ctrl + f
- Open Files app: Alt + Shift + m
- Open Task Manager: Search + Esc
Remember, you can also view a complete list of keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook anytime by pressing Ctrl + Alt + ? and then clicking on the keyboard icon at the bottom.
