Open Gmail’s Compose Window In A New Tab With This Keyboard Shortcut

When Google introduced its pop-up compose window last year, I was pleased that the option to use ‘c’ as a keyboard shortcut for a new message remained in place. But I failed to notice an equally handy option: if you type Shift-C, the new message opens in a separate window, and if you use Control-C or D, it pops up in a separate tab.

As Google Operating System points out, using a separate window or tab has the advantage of showing formatting options immediately, rather than requiring you to click to view them. You can’t see messages underneath this way, but it’s good to have the option if you’d prefer to write without that distraction.

I found the D shortcut more reliable than Control-D, and it’s also one less keystroke. Reminder: this won’t work unless keyboard shortcuts are enabled. To do that:

  • Click on the cog in the top-right corner and select ‘Settings’ from the drop-down menu.
  • Under General, scroll down and make sure ‘Keyboard shortcuts on’ is selected.

When You Open Gmail’s Compose Box in a New Window [Google Operating System]


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