Quick Answer
To customize keyboard shortcuts on a Chromebook, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Search + S to open the keyboard shortkeys editor (available for ChromeOS version 123 or later) and edit the shortcuts. You can install the Shortcut Keys or Shortkeys extension for Google Chrome to add new shortcuts. You can also customize shortcuts for Chrome DevTools. Inspect the page, click the Settings icon, select the Shortcuts tab, and assign new shortcuts based on your preference.
You can now customize default keyboard shortcuts in Chromebook. In the latest update (Chrome OS 123 or later). Google has added the ability to change the default Keyboard shortcuts on Chromebook or assign multiple shortcuts to the same function. Furthermore, You can add more shortcuts using third-party extensions on Google Chrome. In this guide, you will learn how to use the default Chromebook shortcuts on Chromebook and how to use extensions to add more shortcuts.
Table of Contents
How to customize shortcuts on Chromebook
Method | Pros | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
1.Customise Default Shortcuts | Directly edit Chromebook shortcuts without any additional tools. | Some system shortcuts are locked and can't be customized. |
2.Using Extensions for Browser Shortcuts | Adds flexibility for customizing Chrome browser-specific shortcuts. | - Requires third-party extensions. - Mostly limited to the browser. |
3.Customise Keyboard Shortcuts in Google Dev Tools | Modify shortcuts specifically for web development tools. | Only available for use in Chrome DevTools. |
Customize Default Shortcuts On your Chrome
With the recent Chromebook 123 updates, you can edit the default keyboard shortcut on your Chromebook. To access, ensure you have the latest version of ChromeOS (123 or later). You can check the ChromeOS version on your Chromebook by going to Settings>About ChromeOS.
How to customize keyboard shortcuts on Chromebook
- Open Settings on your Chromebook.
- Click on the Device and then tap on Keyboard and Inputs.
- Now click on Customize Keyboard keys.
- Check if general controls are mapped correctly. Using the keyboard, use the Enter shortcut Ctrl + Search + S to open the Keyboard short keys editor.
- Here, you will see all the pre-defined keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook. To find the shortcut you want to edit, you can use the search or the sidebar to navigate to a specific category of shortcuts.
- Hover the mouse over the shortcut. However, if you see a lock symbol next to the shortcut, it is locked from customization. You cannot edit or delete those shortcuts.
- Click on the Edit icon to edit the shortcut. If you want to add a new shortcut for the same action, Click on the +Add Shortcut and then add a new shortcut key. By default, you should select the modifier keys. To delete, click on the Delete icon next to the shortcut.
- Also, the browser shortcuts are locked from editing using the latest keyboard shortcuts customization. Follow the guide below to edit browser shortcuts.
How to Customize Browser Shortcuts on Chrome
By default, the Google Chrome browser doesn’t allow you to edit or customize built-in shortcuts. However, there are workarounds you can use. You can use the Google Chrome extensions to add custom keyboard shortcuts and override existing shortcuts.
I had been using the Shortkeys extension for a while. You can add or override the existing shortcuts on your Chrome browser using the extension. I also found the Shortcut Keyboard extension, which lets you add additional shortcuts to Google Chrome. However, it doesn’t allow changing shortcuts. Here’s how to set it up and add custom shortcuts for your Google Chrome browser using these two extensions.
How to customize shortcuts using Shortkeys:
- Add Shortkeys extension to your Google Chrome browser.
- Click on the Extension and tap on the Options.
- Here, you can add or customize existing shortcuts. To add, click on the Add Shortcut, enter the key names manually, and use the shortcut key name. Ensure you use the shortcut for the key names; for example, instead of Control, use Ctrl+u. You can view a full list of keyboard shortcuts and abbreviations here.
- Click on the Save shortcut and then reload the page you want to use the shortcut on. That’s it. You can also create or assign multiple shortcut keys to the same action. Recently, most people have been complaining about it not working. Reload the page to fix the issue.
How to customize shortcuts using the Keyboard Shortcuts app:
- Install the Keyboard Shortcuts extension and pin it on the top.
- Click on the Extension, go to the Options, or visit the extension page.
- You can see the new shortcuts tab here to create or customize shortcuts.
- To add, use the keys; make sure you add at least one modifier key (Ctrl, Alt, Shift, Cmd, Option, etc.) to the shortcut. Next, select In Chrome or Global.
Customize Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts in Google Dev Tools
This can be useful if you are a web developer or power user; you can also customize the keyboard shortcuts in Google dev tools on Chrome. You can edit or add new shortcuts to the dev tools, like the device shortcuts. You can set custom shortcuts for actions like opening the console, inspecting elements with a single shortcut, viewing network activity, and more.
How to customize keyboard shortcuts in Dev tools:
- Open Google Chrome DevTools. You can use the shortcut ( Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + I,
Mac: Cmd + Option + I) or right-clicking on a page and select Inspect.
- Click the Settings icon.
- Find the Shortcuts option and tap on it.
- Here, you can see all the preset keyboard shortcuts.
- Click the Edit button next to the shortcut you want to change. Type your new command, for example, Shift + S.
- Click the Checkmark to save the new shortcut. That’s it. You have successfully set a new shortcut.
Simplify Your Chromebook Experience With Custom Shortcuts
I recently started using a Chromebook, and the first thing I did after getting it was customizing the default shortcuts. After the recent update, you can personalize built-in keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook. The updates also allow you to customize mouse shortcuts. You can map each button to a specific action if you have a mouse with an additional button. Connect your mouse to your Chromebook; go to Settings > Device > Mouse > Customize mouse buttons and customize your button.
If you accidentally mapped the wrong keyboard shortcuts, you can always reset them by going to Settings>device>Keyboard and inputs> Customise keyboard shortcuts and click Reset all Shortcuts. You can delete or re-install the shortcut you created to reset the extension.
FAQs on Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts
What should I do if custom shortcuts stop working after an update?
If the custom shortcut stops working after the update, ensure it is enabled in the short keys editor. You can visit the shortcut keys editor by going to Settings>device>keyboard and input>customize keyboard shortcuts, looking for the shortcut that isn't working, and reassigning it.
Can I assign multiple shortcuts to the same function on my Chromebook?
You can assign multiple shortcuts to the same function on your Chromebook. To do so, open the shortcut using the default short keys editor, Click on the edit icon, and click on the <strong>+Add new shortcut</strong>. Alternatively, if you are using an extension, select the function and assign the same shortcut.
Is there a limit to the number of custom shortcuts I can create on my Chromebook?
There is no limit to the number of shortcuts you can create using an extension on your Chromebook. However, you can only assign a maximum of five shortcuts to create multiple shortcuts for a specific action in the default shortcut editor.
Can I create shortcuts for opening specific apps or websites on my Chromebook?
Yes, there are multiple ways to create shortcuts for opening specific apps or websites on your Chromebook. To set shortcuts for opening apps, Pin the app to the shelf and use Alt+(Specific number) to open the app. For instance, if the app is number 2 on the shelf, you can use Alt + 2. To set shortcuts for specific websites, Go to the website, click the three-dot menu in Chrome, tap on More tools, and then select Create shortcut.
