10 Awesome Chrome OS Keyboard shortcuts that you need to know about
Chromebook keyboards are uniquely designed to optimize the Chrome browser experience. Google has also equipped Chrome OS with a wide array of keyboard shortcuts, allowing you to accomplish many tasks more quickly and efficiently. Once you become familiar with these shortcuts, your productivity will soar, and you will likely wonder how you managed without them. Here is a list of 10 essential keyboard shortcuts that every Chromebook owner should know:
1) Caps Lock Toggle
Most Chromebook keyboards do not include a dedicated Caps Lock key. However, you can easily enable or disable Caps Lock mode by pressing the Alt key together with the dedicated Search key.
Caps Lock On/Off: Alt + 
This shortcut is useful when you need to type in all capital letters, making text entry more convenient.
2) Page-Up/Page-Down
Chromebooks do not have dedicated Page Up or Page Down keys like traditional keyboards. If you miss these keys, you can use the keyboard shortcuts instead. Simply hold down the Search or Alt key, then press the up or down arrow keys to scroll up or down a page. The left and right arrow keys can also function as Home and End keys.
Page Up: Alt + Up Arrow or 
+ Up Arrow
Page Down: Alt + Down Arrow or + Down Arrow
Home: + Left Arrow
End: + Right Arrow
These shortcuts make navigating lengthy web pages or documents much faster.
3) Task Manager
If your Chromebook seems slower than usual, using the built-in Task Manager can help you identify and close resource-intensive processes. You can open the Task Manager by pressing the Search key and the Esc key simultaneously.
Open Task Manager: + Esc
This function is essential for managing system performance and troubleshooting unresponsive applications.
4) Reopen Closed Tab
If you accidentally close a browser tab, there is no need to worry. Chrome remembers the last 10 tabs you closed, and you can easily reopen them by pressing Ctrl + Shift + T.
Reopen Closed Tab: Ctrl + Shift + T
This shortcut ensures you never lose your important browsing sessions.
5) Split Screen/Docking Windows
For multitasking, viewing multiple apps side by side is highly convenient. You can dock a window to the left or right side of the screen by pressing Alt + [ or Alt + ] respectively.
Dock window left: Alt + [
Dock window right: Alt + ]
These shortcuts enhance your workflow by allowing you to organize windows with ease.
6) Zoom In / Zoom Out
Although the Chrome OS touchpad does not support pinch-to-zoom gestures, you can still zoom in or out on web pages by using keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl + + to zoom in and Ctrl + – to zoom out.
Zoom In: Ctrl + + (Plus sign)
Zoom Out: Ctrl + – (Minus sign)
This feature is especially helpful for improving readability or adjusting the view to your preference.
7) Find on Page
Searching for specific text on a web page is simple with Chrome’s built-in Find feature. Press Ctrl + F, then enter the text you want to locate.
Find: Ctrl + F
This shortcut saves time when scanning for information or keywords on a long page.
8) Paste as Plain Text
While most users are familiar with copying and pasting using Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V, there is also a shortcut for pasting text without formatting. This is particularly useful when compiling documents and you do not want to carry over unwanted styles. To paste as plain text, use Ctrl + Shift + V.
Paste as Plain Text: Ctrl + Shift + V
This shortcut helps maintain consistency in your documents.
9) Taking a Screenshot
To capture the entire screen, press the Ctrl key along with the Window Switcher key.
Screenshot of entire screen: Ctrl + 
For non-Chrome OS keyboards: Ctrl + F5
To capture a specific portion of the screen, press Ctrl + Shift + Window Switcher. Your cursor will turn into a crosshair pointer, allowing you to select a rectangular area by clicking and dragging the cursor over the area you want to capture. Release the mouse or trackpad button after making your selection.
Screenshot of selected area: Ctrl + Shift + , then click, drag, and release.
For non-Chrome OS keyboards: Ctrl + Shift + F5, then click, drag, and release.
Screenshots are essential for saving records or sharing information visually.
10) Use F1 to F11 Keys
Some applications and functions require the use of F1–F11 keys, which traditional laptop keyboards include, but are absent on Chromebooks. You can emulate these keys by holding down the Search key and pressing the corresponding number key (1–0).
1 corresponds to F1, 2 to F2, and so on.
Using Function Keys: + (1 to 10)
This shortcut is beneficial for accessing software functions that depend on function keys.
These keyboard shortcuts can significantly enhance your productivity and help you get the most out of your Chrome OS device. If you wish to explore even more shortcuts, Chrome OS provides a built-in reference guide. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + ? will display an interactive cheat sheet of all available keyboard shortcuts.
By mastering these shortcuts, you will streamline your workflow and unlock the full potential of your Chromebook.
