Keyboard shortcuts
On this page
4Search keeps to the keys every browser already provides: Tab and Shift+Tab move between controls, and Enter or Space presses a button or follows a link. This page lists the extra keys that do something particular on 4Search. There are no single-letter shortcuts on the home page or on results pages.
#The search box
These work in the search box on every page that has one.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Enter | Runs the search |
| Shift+Enter | Starts a new line in a long question |
| ↓ | Moves down the suggestions, and opens the list again if you closed it |
| ↑ | Moves up the suggestions |
| Enter on a highlighted suggestion | Puts the suggestion in the box. Press Enter again to search |
| Esc | Closes the suggestions |
Suggestions appear after you type two letters. The search boxes on Finance, Politics, Predictions, Weather and Maps also suggest as you type. In those, ↑ and ↓ move through the list, Enter opens the highlighted entry, and Esc closes it.
#AI Mode
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| / | Puts the cursor in the message box, when you are not already typing in a field |
| Enter | Sends your message |
| Shift+Enter | Starts a new line in your message |
| Esc | Stops an answer that is being written |
| Esc while editing a message | Cancels the edit |
See AI Mode.
#Maps
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| / | Puts the cursor in the map search box, when you are not already typing in a field |
| ↑ ↓ Enter Esc | Move through, choose from and close the place suggestions |
| Esc | Closes the open street-level photo, the layers panel or the right-click menu, stops the measuring tool, or cancels choosing a point for directions |
| ← → | Turns the view in an open street-level photo |
See Maps.
#Weather radar
Focus the radar map first, by tabbing to it or selecting it. The map is labeled Weather radar map.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| + or = | Zooms in |
| - | Zooms out |
| ← → ↑ ↓ | Pans the map |
| Space | Plays or pauses the radar loop, when there is one |
The map also has buttons for zoom, for the full map and for your location, and a slider for the radar time.
#Finance
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| ← → on a focused chart | Moves the readout one point back or forward along the chart |
| Esc on a focused chart | Clears the readout and any zoom |
| ← → on a tab bar that switches panels | Moves to the previous or next tab and opens it |
Tab to a chart to focus it. See Finance.
#Sortable tables
In the tables on Politics, Predictions and Weather, a column heading you can sort is a stop in the tab order.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Enter or Space on a heading | Sorts by that column. Press again to reverse it, and a third time to restore the original order |
#Menus and dialogs
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| Esc | Closes an open menu, such as Menu or a result's options menu |
| Esc | Closes the Topics list on a narrow screen |
| Esc | Closes the share box on a result |
| Esc | Closes the privacy choices panel and the boxes that ask to turn on Saved preferences |
| Tab and Shift+Tab in a dialog | Keep the focus inside the dialog until you close it |
#What is not here
4Search does not define shortcuts for switching tabs, jumping to the search box on results pages or moving between results. Use Tab to move, or your screen reader's heading and landmark keys. See Accessibility.
#Common questions
Is there a key that jumps to the search box on any page?
Only in AI Mode and Maps, where / does it. On other pages the search box is the first form field after the tabs, so Tab reaches it quickly.
Why does the slash key type a slash?
The shortcut only works when you are not typing in a field. Inside a text box, / types the character.
Do the shortcuts work on a phone?
They need a physical keyboard. On a phone, use touch instead.