Composing an email or writing an article can require a lot of resources. You may have to switch between multiple tabs, reference multiple files, or use multiple apps to compile all of your information. Fortunately, Chromebooks include a little known feature called Quick Insert.
Quick Insert, which debuted with the 2024 Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, allows you to access numerous helpful tools with a click. This powerful new shortcut is designed to save you time and keep you in your flow by bringing everything you need to you, right where you are.
How to Activate Quick Insert
How you’ll activate quick insert will depend on which Chromebook you have. If you have a Chromebook Plus that was released from Fall 2024 to now, your Chromebook will likely have the “Quick Insert” key on the middle left of your keyboard. This is where you’d normally find the “Caps Lock” key on a Windows device. To use Quick Insert, simply tap the “Quick Insert” key.
If you have an older Chromebook or a newer non-Plus Chromebook, you’ll have the “Launcher” key (shaped like concentric circles) or the “Search” key (shaped like a magnifying glass) instead of the “Quick Insert” key. Other Chromebooks may even have a Google key (with Google’s G logo on it) that can also be used to activate Quick Insert.
Clicking these keys alone will not launch Quick Insert. Instead, you have to use the “F” key as well — meaning one of Launcher+F, Search+F or Google+F will open Quick Insert for you.
What Can You Do With Quick Insert?
Quick Insert is not a feature with a single purpose—it is meant to be a feature that helps you access a number of different features in one place. Once you open Quick Insert, you can use it to do one of the following things.
Search Through Your Browsing History For Links
Quick Insert can help find that link that you lost but need to reference again. Say you’re writing an email about something you’ve done research on and want to provide evidence to back up your argument. Without opening a new tab or clicking away from your email, launch Quick Insert and start searching through your browsing history for the link. Once you find it, select it and insert it into your email. This is so much easier than searching through your browser history.
Attach or Link To Your Files
In addition to web links, Quick Insert can also find Google Drive file links or attach local files. If you’re collaborating with a co-worker and want to easily find a file to share with them, use Quick Insert to help. Just activate Quick Insert and start searching for the title of the file.
Once you find it, select the title or hit “enter” to add the link or file to your message. This can be helpful if you’ve put together something you want someone to double-check. This function works for both local files and files from Google Drive, so you can attach files from wherever, which saves a lot of time.
Quickly Add an Emoji or GIF
Emojis and GIFs are helpful when communicating with others by adding emotion to your text. Usually you have to go searching through complicated insert menus to add them, but Quick Insert makes this very easy. Activate Quick Insert at the spot in the file that you want to add an emoji or GIF and start searching for what you’re looking for.
You’ll be shown some emoji options at the top of the menu as you search. If you’re looking for a GIF, tap the “GIF” button at the top of the menu, and you’ll be shown a variety of GIFs based on your search term. Just tap to insert them. Adding emojis or GIFs can help brighten up your messages and make them more relatable. Adding an emoji using Quick Insert is easier than inserting one normally.
Calculations and Dates
Quick Insert is also useful for quick calculations of numbers or dates. If you’re writing something and need to make a quick calculation, Quick Insert can do it right from your page. Activate the feature, scroll down, select “Calculations”, and type your query into the search box.
Google will then calculate your answer without ever leaving the page. You can also use this feature to convert units, such as converting something from feet to meters.
If you’re planning an event with someone, and you’re trying to figure out what date ‘three weeks from Saturday’ is, Quick Insert can assist you. Simply launch Quick Insert, scroll down and select “Date”, and type the description of the day you’re looking for.
Quick insert will tell you the date and allow you to enter it into whatever you’re typing by pressing the “Enter” key. Instead of having to pick up your phone or open a tab to do a quick Google search, Quick Insert keeps you focused on the task at hand.
From links and files to emojis and calculations, Quick Insert is a versatile feature that helps you stay in your flow without ever leaving the page you’re on. It’s a simple tool that can make a huge difference in your daily productivity. With Google already promising to integrate even more powerful features, like “Help Me Write,” Quick Insert is only going to get better with time.
