Custom Mouse & Keyboard Shortcuts on Chromebook

This guide shows you how to set up custom mouse and keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook, letting you remap keys, create custom keyboard shortcuts, and adjust touchpad/mouse behavior to speed up your workflow. You’ll learn the built-in methods first, then how to use a free extension for more advanced remapping.

What You’ll Need

• A Chromebook running Chrome OS (any recent version works).
• An external mouse (optional, but recommended for testing mouse-specific settings).
• A Google account (to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store).
• For advanced keyboard remapping: the “Shortcuts” extension (free, from the Chrome Web Store).

Step-by-Step

Part 1: Adjust Mouse & Touchpad Settings

1. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) to open the full Settings app.
3. In the left sidebar, click “Device”.
4. Click “Mouse and touchpad”.
5. Here you can adjust:
   • Mouse speed and Touchpad speed – drag the slider.
   • “Enable tap-to-click” – toggle for touchpad.
   • “Reverse scrolling” – toggle to change scroll direction.
   • If you have a multi-touch touchpad, you can also enable “Three-finger swipe” to switch tabs or “Three-finger tap” to open a link in a new tab (these are toggles).
6. For more specific button customization on a mouse, look for “Button assignment” (if available). Some mice allow you to swap the primary button or assign the middle click to a specific action. If you don’t see this, your mouse may not support it.

Part 2: Use Built-in Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + / (or Search + /) anytime to open the Keyboard shortcuts overlay. This shows all default shortcuts.
2. You can also go to Settings > Device > Keyboard and see a list of shortcuts under “Keyboard shortcuts”.
3. To change a few specific keys (like making the Search key act as Caps Lock), go to Settings > Device > Keyboard.
4. Under “Top-row keys”, you can choose what the top row (F1-F10) does – either as function keys or as media/action keys.
5. Under “Keyboard shortcuts”, you can remap some keys:
   • Click on a shortcut (e.g., “Take screenshot”).
   • Press the new key combination you want to use (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + S).
   • Click “OK” to save.
6. Note: Not all shortcuts can be remapped in the built-in settings. For those, you’ll need the extension in Part 3.

Part 3: Advanced Remapping with the “Shortcuts” Extension

1. Open the Chrome Web Store by going to chrome.google.com/webstore.
2. Search for “Shortcuts” (by the Chromebook community). Look for an extension with a high rating and many users.
3. Click “Add to Chrome” and confirm.
4. Once installed, click the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) in your toolbar, then click the pin next to “Shortcuts” to keep it visible.
5. Click the Shortcuts icon in your toolbar.
6. You’ll see a list of all Chrome OS shortcuts. To remap one:
   • Find the action you want (e.g., “Switch to next tab”).
   • Click the pencil icon next to it.
   • Press the new key combination (e.g., Ctrl + Tab).
   • Click “OK”.
7. To create a custom shortcut that opens a specific website or runs a command, click the “+” button at the bottom of the extension popup.
8. Enter a name, choose a key combination, and in the “Action” field, type a URL (e.g., https://gmail.com) or a command like open calculator (if supported).
9. Click “Save”. Now pressing that combo will open the URL or run the command.

Part 4: For Mouse Buttons (if you have extra buttons)

1. Some mice have extra buttons (like side buttons). Chrome OS doesn’t allow remapping them natively, but you can use the “Button Mapper” extension (or similar) to assign functions to those buttons.
2. Install the extension, then open its settings.
3. Click “Add button” and press the mouse button you want to remap.
4. Choose an action (e.g., “Back”, “Forward”, “Close tab”).
5. Save and test.

Common Mistakes

• Using the Search key incorrectly: The Search key (magnifying glass) is the primary modifier on Chromebooks, not Ctrl. Many shortcuts use Search instead of Ctrl (e.g., Search + L to lock). Don’t assume Ctrl works for everything.
• Remapping a shortcut that’s already in use: If you assign a combination that’s already used, it may conflict. The Shortcuts extension will warn you, but the built-in settings may not. Always check for conflicts.
• Forgetting to save: In the built-in remapper, you must click “OK” or “Save” after changing a shortcut. If you just press the keys and close, it won’t stick.
• Expecting all keys to be remappable: Chrome OS only allows remapping of certain keys (like Search, Ctrl, Alt, Escape, and top-row keys). You can’t remap letters to other letters without a third-party tool (which may require developer mode).
• Not testing after a restart: Some extensions may not load properly after a reboot. Make sure the extension is enabled and pinned, and test your shortcuts after restarting.

Tips

• Use the “Search” key as your main modifier: It’s the most ergonomic key on the keyboard. For example, Search + 1-9 switches tabs, Search + [ ] cycles tabs.
• Create a shortcut for your most-visited sites: Instead of typing a URL, assign a combo like Ctrl + Shift + G for Gmail.
• Use the “Top-row keys” setting wisely: If you use function keys often (like F5 to refresh), set the top row to act as function keys, and then use Search + the top-row key for media actions.
• Backup your settings: The Shortcuts extension lets you export your settings as a JSON file. Do this after configuring, so you can restore if needed.
• Check for updates: Chrome OS and extensions update frequently. If a shortcut stops working, check if the extension needs an update.

Troubleshooting

• Shortcut not working: First, make sure the extension is enabled (check the puzzle icon). Then, open the Shortcuts extension and verify the shortcut is still assigned. Try removing and re-adding it.
• Built-in remapping not sticking: Go to Settings > Device > Keyboard and check if the shortcut is still there. If not, re-enter it. Also, ensure you didn’t accidentally press “Reset all” (which is at the bottom of that page).
• Mouse buttons not responding: Some mice require specific drivers. Try a different USB port or a wired mouse. If the extension “Button Mapper” isn’t working, try reinstalling it or using a different extension.
• Conflicts between extensions: If you have multiple remapping extensions, they can conflict. Disable one at a time to find the culprit.
• After a Chrome OS update, shortcuts reset: This is rare but can happen. Export your settings (in the Shortcuts extension) and re-import them after an update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remap any key on my Chromebook?

No. Chrome OS only allows remapping of modifier keys (Search, Ctrl, Alt, Escape) and top-row keys. To remap letters or other keys, you’d need to use developer mode and a custom keyboard layout, which is advanced and not recommended for most users.

How do I make the Search key act as Caps Lock?

Go to Settings > Device > Keyboard. Under “Search key”, select “Caps Lock”. You can also do this for the Alt and Ctrl keys.

Can I create a shortcut to open a specific website?

Yes, using the “Shortcuts” extension. Click the “+” button, enter a name, choose a key combo, and type the full URL (including https://) in the “Action” field.

Will my custom shortcuts work on a different Chromebook?

If you’re signed in with the same Google account, your built-in settings (like key remapping) will sync. However, extensions are tied to your account but must be installed on each device. You can export/import settings from the Shortcuts extension to move them.

Can I use a Windows keyboard with my Chromebook?

Yes. Windows keyboards work, but the Windows key acts as the Search key, and the Alt and Ctrl keys are in different positions. You can remap them in Settings > Device > Keyboard.

Why isn’t my mouse’s side button working?

Chrome OS doesn’t natively support side buttons on most mice. You need to use an extension like “Button Mapper” to assign functions. If the extension doesn’t detect the button, your mouse may not be compatible.

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