How-To Geek
Did You Know Facebook Has Built-In Shortcut Keys?
I was spending some time browsing around Facebook today (translation: wasting time), when I noticed that they have some shortcut keys for navigating around the site using the keyboard, so I put together a list for everybody.
Note: for each of these shortcut keys, if you’re using Firefox, you’ll need to use Shift+Alt instead of just Alt, and for Internet Explorer you’ll need to hit the Enter key after the shortcut to trigger it. If you’re using a Mac, you’ll need to use Ctrl+Opt instead of Alt.
New Message: Alt + M
This shortcut key doesn’t seem to work in Internet Explorer at all, but if you’re using Google Chrome or Firefox, it should work fine, though Firefox will use Shift+Alt+M instead.
Search Box: Alt + ?
This shortcut key is the same in Chrome and Internet Explorer, but is Shift+Alt+? in Firefox—it’s really a very useful shortcut, since the search box gets you access to all your friends easily.
Home Page: Alt + 1
This shortcut takes you to your home page—if you’re in Firefox it’s Shift+Alt+1 and IE is Alt+1 and then Enter.
Your Profile: Alt + 2
This shortcut takes you to your profile page—if you’re in Firefox it’s Shift+Alt+2 and IE is Alt+2 and then Enter.
Friend Requests: Alt + 3
This shortcut is somewhat useless unless you’re the most popular person in the world, as it opens up the friend requests page. If you’re in Firefox it’s Shift+Alt+3 and IE is Alt+3 and then Enter.
Messages: Alt + 4
This shortcut opens up the Messages dialog. If you’re in Firefox it’s Shift+Alt+4 and IE is Alt+4 and then Enter.
Notifications: Alt + 5
This shortcut opens up the Notifications dialog. If you’re in Firefox it’s Shift+Alt+5 and IE is Alt+5 and then Enter.
There’s a couple of other shortcut keys, for Alt+6 through 0 on the keyboard, which take you to the settings, privacy, about, terms, and help pages.
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Comments (27)
Programmer by day, geek by night, The Geek, also known as Lowell Heddings, spends all his free time bringing you fresh geekery on a daily basis. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.
- Published 01/6/11
Great post! Thanks!
However, I have a question:
When I hit + in Chrome, it changes between the open tabs (from 1 to 9, if open) instead of opening the Home or Profile page. Why does this happen?
EDIT: «When I hit Alt + a number from 1 to 9»
(I wrote the button names in quotes and it ignored the text)
@Vangelis, that could be a custom shout cut or an add-on installed on your chrome.
However in Chrome, Ctrl + (number) will make you switch between, open tabs
@damiththa:
Thanks for your answer. Is there a way to disable or customize Chrome’s keyboard shortcuts? I made a little research here and there but I didn’t find anything relative….
Hey it does work on IE. For example to go to ur profile page you press alt and 2 after pressing them leave then press enter it will work. So all the shortcuts work for IE but you have to press enter after pressing the shortcut.
Thanks for sharing, I bet we hardly use in Mac.
@Vangelis I have the same problem in Chrome – fresh profile.
Add Shift to combination if you’re on Firefox.
The search shortcut doesn’t work for me in firefox. Besides that, everything works. Thanks :)
@Vangelis: You don’t press the “+” key. It means hold the ALT key and press 1. the + symbol is simply being used as an abbreviation of and
You can make firefox shortcuts work the same way as chrome. (no shift, just Alt)
1- On firefox Type “about:config” in the address bar.
2- Click “I’ll be careful, I promise!”
3- Look for “ui.key.contentAccess” and change its value to 4.
Done.. now you can use the shortcuts with Alt only.
No thanks…!!! if I have to remember these many “shortcut” key combination, I’d rather use my trackpad.
@Milo: Yes, of course! I’m not that stupid! :D
By “+” I just meant “plus/and”. ;-)
Thank you
It interestinhg
you can press:
Alt+6 for account settings
Alt+7 for privacy settings
Alt+8 for Facebook’s like page
Alt+9 for Terms of Service
Alt+0 for help page
I thought everyone was too busy playing Farm/CityVille to care about shortcuts… Guess I was wrong! :)
great tip pal
@KKDK
use the ctrl Button and 0 – 9 ;) and M 4 PM
all the best
wow. this is amazing!!!
cool! I use a bluetooth keyboard and notice that the digits on my 10-key don’t respond. I have to use the numbers above the keyboard to make it work.
Awesome !
Awesome…It was time saving n quick
yeah
WoW.. that was really useful.. Now I’d rather do stuff faster than before.. thanks to who ever is it..!
Ctrl + W = Send a mesage
Ctrl + f4 = Help Center
hi im using chrome and im using a laptop so whenever i need to do the shortcut thingy, i have to press FN as well. i usually make musical notes (alt+FN+13 = ♪) but whenever i try to make the double note (alt+FN+14=♫) in my facebook status, i end up in a new tab.. :( help…
Hmm its a nice way to use facebook now i dont use my mouse :)