To focus only on email, click the gear icon (Settings) → "Quick settings" → "Density" → Choose "Comfortable" or "Compact" . 2. Writing & Sending Emails Step 1: Click the "Compose" button (top left, red or blue).
If you "move" an email to a label, it leaves the Inbox but remains searchable. You can also have an email in both "Work" and "Urgent" labels. 5. Searching Like a Pro The search bar is at the very top (magnifying glass icon). Useful Search Operators | What you want | Type this | | :--- | :--- | | From a specific person | from:john@example.com | | To a specific person | to:mary@example.com | | With an attachment | has:attachment | | Sent in the last week | after:2026/04/07 (use YYYY/MM/DD) | | Unread emails | is:unread | | Starred emails | is:starred | | In a specific label | label:work | | Combine terms | from:boss has:attachment | google email desktop
| Section | What it does | | :--- | :--- | | | Compose button, Inbox, Sent, Drafts, Labels (your custom categories). | | Main Window | List of emails. Unread = bold. Starred = pinned. | | Right Panel | Opens an email to read. Also shows Google Chat/Meet (can be hidden). | To focus only on email, click the gear
| Action | Shortcut (Windows/Chromebook) | Shortcut (Mac) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Compose new email | c | c | | Reply to email | r | r | | Reply all | a | a | | Forward | f | f | | Archive email | e | e | | Delete email | # (Shift+3) | # (Shift+3) | | Mark as unread | Shift + u | Shift + u | | Snooze | b | b | | Move to label | v | v | | Search emails | / (forward slash) | / | | Send email (when composing) | Ctrl + Enter | Cmd + Enter | If you "move" an email to a label,