Inbox keyboard shortcuts, bulk select & archiving

Once replies start coming in, the fastest way to work the Inbox is with your keyboard. A few keys let you move through conversations, open them, reply, and archive without touching the mouse. Here's the full set.

Moving through the list

With the conversation list focused (not while typing in a box), use:

• J or Down arrow — move to the next conversation.
• K or Up arrow — move to the previous conversation.
• Enter — open the selected conversation.
• Escape — go back to the list (handy on smaller screens).

Selecting a conversation marks it as read, so arrowing down through your inbox clears unread items as you go.

Acting on the open thread

With a conversation open:

• E — archive the thread. It disappears from your active list right away, with a short Undo option in case you change your mind.
• R — jump straight to the reply composer so you can start typing.

Shortcuts pause automatically while you're typing in a search box or the composer, so you'll never archive a thread mid-sentence.

Archiving and the Archived view

You can also archive from the open thread by clicking the Archive button (the archive icon) in the top-right of the conversation. Archived conversations leave your active list but aren't deleted — to see them, open the filter button (funnel icon), and under View choose Archived. Switch back to Active to return to your working inbox.

Working through replies in bulk

For sweeping up several conversations at once — like clearing every out-of-office auto-reply — the quickest route is to ask Pam. Try "Archive all out-of-office replies" and she'll handle the batch for you. See Analyzing replies with Pam.

Tip: pair J/K to move and E to archive, and you can triage a full inbox in seconds.