Bold works in Gmail exactly as it does in a word processor. Select your text and press Cmd/Ctrl + B to make a key line or a name stand out, no formatting toolbar required.
CMDK transforms your Gmail into a keyboard first experience, not just transforming existing Gmail keyboard shortcuts but also adding new ones for you to be 2x faster at email. CMDK also adds a command bar, natural language snooze, split inbox with Tabs, one-click email nuke, and easy account switching tools. It reduces your reliance on the mouse, getting you into a state of flow as you use Gmail everyday.
Bold Gmail Shortcut Tutorial
To enable keyboard shortcuts in Gmail, follow these steps:
1. Open Gmail in your internet browser.
2. Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the screen and select “See all settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click on the “Advanced” tab.
4. Scroll down until you find the “Keyboard shortcuts” section.
5. Click on the radio button next to “Keyboard shortcuts on” to enable keyboard shortcuts.
6. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save Changes” to apply the new settings.
To use the Bold shortcut in Gmail, follow these steps:
1. Compose a new email or open an existing one.
2. Highlight the text you want to make bold by clicking and dragging your mouse over it.
3. To make the text bold, simply press the “Ctrl” key on your keyboard, then press the “B” key while still holding down “Ctrl”.
4. Release both keys, and the selected text will now appear in bold font.
If you would rather not flip the setting yourself, the CMDK extension enables shortcuts like Bold for you and brings more than 80 others to Gmail.
Make every keystroke count
Learning Bold is worth it, but you do not have to stop there. CMDK turns Gmail into an inbox you run entirely from the keyboard: more than 80 shortcuts, a command bar for any action, snooze you can type in plain English, a tabbed split inbox, and one-key sender nuke. Add it to Chrome and keep your hands off the mouse.
Related Gmail keyboard shortcuts
CMDK adds these and 80+ more shortcuts to Gmail, along with a command bar and natural-language snooze. See how CMDK works or check CMDK pricing.