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Skype has been around since 2003, but it has always been a great voice and video calling option. One of the best things about Skype is that it works on a lot of different devices. For example, you can call your friend on a MacBook from your Windows 10 computer.
We made this great cheat sheet with all the Skype keyboard shortcuts you could ever need for Mac and Windows to help you use Skype more efficiently.
Skype has been a popular app for calling and meeting online for a long time. If you are one of these people, you should learn how to use Skype’s keyboard shortcuts. So, you can do a lot of things in this app without going into the settings menu.
Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts in Skype?
Using computer shortcuts in Skype has a number of benefits that can help you communicate better and enjoy the platform more. Here are some reasons why you might want to use keyboard shortcuts:
- Quick Messaging: You can write and send texts with keyboard shortcuts without taking your hands off the keyboard. This is helpful when you want to answer quickly without having to switch to the mouse.
- Multitasking: Skype shortcuts let you handle multiple chats, calls, and tasks at the same time. This makes it easier to do more than one thing at once and stay in touch.
- Efficient Call Handling: Shortcuts on the keyboard make it easier to answer calls, mute and unmute the phone, and hang up. This makes it easier to handle talks.
Best Skype Shortcuts
Whether you’re using Skype for business or pleasure, learning and implementing the best keyboard shortcuts for Skype will allow you to navigate the program, connect with other users, and work together more effectively. This is true whether you’re using Skype at home or at the office.
General Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + , | Open Skype settings |
| Ctrl + Shift + ↑ | Increase text size |
| Ctrl + Shift + ↓ | Decrease text size |
| F11 | Toggle full-screen mode |
| Ctrl + M | Toggle mute |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Toggle microphone mute |
| Ctrl + E | Focus on the search bar |
| Esc | Close any open dialog |
| Alt + F4 | Close Skype |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Open profile settings |
Calling Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + P | Start a new call |
| Ctrl + Shift + H | Answer an incoming call |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Decline an incoming call |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Start screen sharing |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Start a new call with video |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Start a new call with screen sharing |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Mute/unmute microphone |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Turn off/on camera |
Chat Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Alt + ↓ | Move to the previous message |
| Alt + ↑ | Move to the next message |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new chat |
| Ctrl + F | Search within the chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Mark all messages as read |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Mark all messages as unread |
| Ctrl + Enter | Send the message |
| Ctrl + Shift + 1 | Change chat to 1-column view |
| Ctrl + Shift + 2 | Change chat to 2-column view |
| Ctrl + Shift + 3 | Change chat to compact view |
Conversation Shortcuts:
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Archive conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + D | Delete conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Mark as read |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Mark as unread |
| Ctrl + Shift + L | Clear conversation history |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Add people to conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + O | Open profile of conversation member |
| Ctrl + W | Close current conversation |
Best Skype Keyboard Shortcuts for Different Platform
You might need to use modifier keys like Ctrl, Alt, or Shift in order to take use of some shortcuts. Exercise your ability to use these keys in conjunction with other keyboard shortcuts. Experiment with the call-related shortcuts available while you are on a call so that you can alter the settings for your microphone, toggle the video, and manage participants without disturbing the conversation.
Mac:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Command + N | New conversation |
| Command + Shift + N | New group conversation |
| Command + O | Open conversation |
| Command + Shift + A | Add people to conversation |
| Command + Shift + M | Mute microphone |
| Command + Shift + K | Answer a call with video |
| Command + Shift + P | Pause video |
| Command + Shift + S | Start a screenshare |
| Command + Shift + H | Start a video call |
| Command + F | Search for messages and contacts |
| Command + Shift + U | Mark all messages as read |
| Command + Shift + T | Start a new chat |
| Command + F | Find text in chat |
| Command + Shift + E | Open the profile of a contact |
| Command + Delete | Delete a chat |
| Command + S | Save the chat as a file |
Windows:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | New group conversation |
| Ctrl + O | Open conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + A | Add people to conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + M | Mute microphone |
| Ctrl + Shift + K | Answer a call with video |
| Ctrl + Shift + P | Pause video |
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Start a screenshare |
| Ctrl + Shift + H | Start a video call |
| Ctrl + E | Search for messages and contacts |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Mark all messages as read |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Start a new chat |
| Ctrl + F | Find text in chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Open the profile of a contact |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete a chat |
| Ctrl + S | Save the chat as a file |
| Alt + 1 | Go to the Chats tab |
Web:
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + N | New conversation |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | New group conversation |
| Ctrl + O | Open conversation |
| Ctrl + E | Search for messages and contacts |
| Ctrl + Shift + U | Mark all messages as read |
| Ctrl + F | Find text in chat |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Open the profile of a contact |
| Ctrl + Delete | Delete a chat |
| F11 | Toggle full-screen mode |
| Esc | Close a dialog or return to chat |
How to Use Best Skype Keyboard Shortcuts?
Using the best Skype keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to move around the program, handle your conversations, and join calls. Here’s how to make the most of these short cuts:
- Practice regularly: Using shortcuts well takes practice, just like any other skill. Add them to your Skype routine every day to build muscle memory and get faster over time.
- Master Shortcuts for Calls: If you use Skype a lot to make and receive calls, you should focus on learning shortcuts for calls. Some of these are answering and finishing calls, muting and unmuting the phone, and changing the sound settings.
- Shortcuts for Getting Around: Get to know the shortcuts that help you move between chats, talks, and different parts of the app.
Questions and Answers
A1: Skype is a way to talk to people over the internet. It lets people make voice and video calls, send notes, and share files. People and businesses use it a lot to talk to each other.
A2: Skype keyboard shortcuts are important because they make it easier to move around in the app, do things, and handle chats. They save you time and make it easier to talk to people.
A3: As of my last edit, in September 2021, Skype doesn’t let you change the keyboard shortcuts on its own. You’ll have to use the tools that come with the program.