In today’s digital world, video conferencing has become an essential tool for communication and collaboration. And one of the most popular video conferencing platforms is Zoom. With its user-friendly interface and advanced features, Zoom has become the go-to choice for businesses, schools, and individuals alike.
But did you know that Zoom also has a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can make your video conferencing experience even more efficient? In this article, we’ll explore every Zoom keyboard shortcut and how to use them.
Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Zoom?
Using keyboard shortcuts in Zoom can save you time and make your video conferencing experience smoother. Instead of navigating through menus and clicking on buttons, you can simply press a few keys to perform various actions.
Keyboard shortcuts can also be helpful for those with limited mobility or dexterity, making it easier for them to use Zoom. Plus, they can be a lifesaver when you’re in a meeting and need to quickly mute yourself or turn off your camera.
How to Enable Keyboard Shortcuts in Zoom
Before we dive into the list of Zoom keyboard shortcuts, it’s important to note that they need to be enabled in your Zoom settings first. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Zoom desktop app and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- In the settings menu, click on the “Keyboard Shortcuts” tab.
- Toggle the switch next to “Enable Global Shortcut” to the on position.
Now that you have enabled keyboard shortcuts, let’s take a look at the different shortcuts available in Zoom.
General Shortcuts
These shortcuts can be used at any time during a Zoom meeting, regardless of whether you are the host or a participant.
Start/Stop Video
- Start/Stop Video: Alt + V (Windows) or Command + Shift + V (Mac)
- Start/Stop Screen Share: Alt + S (Windows) or Command + Shift + S (Mac)
Audio Controls
- Mute/Unmute Audio: Alt + A (Windows) or Command + Shift + A (Mac)
- Raise/Lower Hand: Alt + Y (Windows) or Option + Y (Mac)
Meeting Controls
- Start/Stop Recording: Alt + R (Windows) or Command + Shift + R (Mac)
- Pause/Resume Recording: Alt + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac)
- Enter/Exit Full Screen: Alt + F (Windows) or Command + Shift + F (Mac)
Navigation
- Switch to Active Speaker View: Alt + F1 (Windows) or Command + Shift + F1 (Mac)
- Switch to Gallery View: Alt + F2 (Windows) or Command + Shift + F2 (Mac)
- Move Focus to Next Window: Alt + F6 (Windows) or Command + Shift + F6 (Mac)
Host Shortcuts
These shortcuts can only be used by the host of a Zoom meeting.
Meeting Controls
- Start/Stop Meeting: Alt + J (Windows) or Command + Shift + J (Mac)
- Lock/Unlock Meeting: Alt + L (Windows) or Command + Shift + L (Mac)
- End Meeting: Alt + Q (Windows) or Command + Shift + Q (Mac)
Audio Controls
- Mute/Unmute All Participants: Alt + M (Windows) or Command + Shift + M (Mac)
- Mute/Unmute Participants on Entry: Alt + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac)
Screen Share
- Start/Stop Annotation: Alt + T (Windows) or Command + Shift + T (Mac)
- Pause/Resume Screen Share: Alt + T (Windows) or Command + Shift + T (Mac)
In-Meeting Chat
- Open/Close Chat: Alt + H (Windows) or Command + Shift + H (Mac)
- Go to Next Chat: Alt + U (Windows) or Command + Shift + U (Mac)
- Go to Previous Chat: Alt + I (Windows) or Command + Shift + I (Mac)
Zoom In/Zoom Out
- Zoom In: Alt + = (Windows) or Command + = (Mac)
- Zoom Out: Alt + – (Windows) or Command + – (Mac)
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How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts in Zoom
If you want to create your own custom keyboard shortcuts in Zoom, you can do so by following these steps:
- Open the Zoom desktop app and click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- In the settings menu, click on the “Keyboard Shortcuts” tab.
- Click on the “Add” button at the bottom of the window.
- Enter the desired keyboard shortcut and the corresponding action.
- Click “OK” to save your custom shortcut.
Tips for Using Zoom Keyboard Shortcuts
- Practice makes perfect: Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different keyboard shortcuts and practice using them before your next Zoom meeting.
- Use a cheat sheet: Keep a list of the most commonly used shortcuts near your computer for easy reference.
- Customize your shortcuts: If you find that some of the default shortcuts are difficult to remember or use, create your own custom shortcuts.
- Use shortcuts for common actions: If there are certain actions you perform frequently during Zoom meetings, create shortcuts for them to save time and effort.
Conclusion
Using keyboard shortcuts in Zoom can make your video conferencing experience more efficient and convenient. By enabling and familiarizing yourself with these shortcuts, you can save time and perform various actions with just a few keystrokes. So the next time you’re in a Zoom meeting, try using some of these shortcuts and see how they can improve your experience.
