To type emojis on a Chromebook, click inside a text field, press Search + Shift + Space or Launcher + Shift + Space, select Emoji, and choose an emoji. You can also right-click inside the text field and select Emoji to open the picker. These built-in methods need no download.
The short version
- Keyboard shortcut: Press Search + Shift + Space or Launcher + Shift + Space while your cursor is in a text field.
- Touchpad method: Tap or press the touchpad with two fingers inside a text field, then select Emoji.
- On-screen keyboard: Select Emoji at the bottom of the keyboard, then choose an emoji.
- Simple fallback: Copy an existing emoji with Ctrl + C and paste it with Ctrl + V.
| Method | How to use it | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Chromebook keyboard shortcut | Search + Shift + Space or Launcher + Shift + Space | Compatible text fields |
| External Windows keyboard | Windows + Shift + Space | External keyboards with the default key mapping |
| Right-click menu | Right-click the field and select Emoji | Fields with the standard context menu |
| Keyboard and touchpad click | Configure Alt + click or Search/Launcher + click | Chromebooks with the right-click setting enabled |
| Manual on-screen keyboard | Enable On-screen keyboard, then select Emoji | Laptop mode, with or without a touchscreen |
| Automatic tablet keyboard | Fold into tablet mode, then select Emoji | Convertible Chromebooks |
| Quick Insert | Quick Insert, Launcher + F, or Google + F | Chromebooks with Quick Insert available |
| Copy and paste | Ctrl + C, then Ctrl + V | Destinations that accept pasted text |
| Google Docs | Insert > Symbols > Emoji, @emoji, or colon search | Documents in Google Docs |
| Google Sheets | Insert > Emoji or @emoji | Spreadsheets in Google Sheets |
| Gmail | Click the emoji icon in the compose toolbar | Email drafts |
| Google Chat | Select Emoji or type : | Chat conversations, including inside Gmail |
| Automatic suggestions | Type a word such as “wow” and choose a suggestion | Supported apps and websites when suggestions are enabled |
Open the emoji picker with your keyboard
Place your cursor where you want the emoji in a message, document, or other compatible text field. Hold Search and Shift, then press Space. If your keyboard has a Launcher key, use Launcher + Shift + Space instead.
Select Emoji in the picker, then browse the categories or enter an emoji name in the search bar. Choose a result to insert it at your cursor. You can use this shortcut on current Chromebooks, including Chromebook Plus.
If you use an external Windows keyboard with the default key mapping, press Windows + Shift + Space with the text field selected. Google identifies the Windows key between Ctrl and Alt as the equivalent of the Chromebook Search or Launcher key.
Use the touchpad or right click menu
Right-click inside the text field and select Emoji. With a Chromebook touchpad, tap or press it with two fingers to right-click. Browse or search the picker, then select the emoji you want.
If the app opens its own menu without Emoji, try Search + Shift + Space or Launcher + Shift + Space. The menu method needs a field that exposes the standard context menu. You do not need to configure a keyboard shortcut to use the two-finger touchpad method.
Using Alt while clicking requires a setting that defaults to Off for new users. Open Settings > Device > Touchpad, then find Use keyboard and touchpad to right-click. Choose Alt + click or Search/Launcher + click, then use that combination inside a text field and select Emoji.
Enable the on screen emoji keyboard
You can enable the on-screen keyboard in laptop mode, even without a touchscreen. Select the time, open Settings > Accessibility, and find Keyboard and text input. Turn on On-screen keyboard, open the keyboard, and select Emoji at the bottom. Choose the emoji you want to insert.
On a convertible Chromebook, fold the screen over its hinge into tablet mode to open the on-screen keyboard automatically. Select Emoji at the bottom, then choose an emoji. If you need the keyboard while using the device in laptop mode, enable it through the accessibility setting above.
Find an emoji with Quick Insert
Open a document or chat and place your cursor where you want the emoji. Press Quick Insert if your keyboard has that dedicated key. Without the key, press Launcher + F or Google + F.
Search for an emoji or choose the relevant content option, then highlight the result and press Enter. You need Quick Insert to be available on your Chromebook to use this method. If it is unavailable, open the standard emoji picker with Search + Shift + Space or Launcher + Shift + Space.
Copy and paste an emoji
Select an emoji in existing text or on a webpage, then press Ctrl + C. Click your destination and press Ctrl + V to paste it. You can use this fallback when an app’s menu has no emoji option, provided the destination accepts pasted text.
To reuse a recently copied emoji, press Search + V or Launcher + V to open the clipboard menu. Navigate to the copied emoji and press Enter. This saves you from finding and copying the character again.
Use emoji controls in Google apps
In Google Docs, open Insert > Symbols > Emoji, then search for or choose an emoji. You can also type @emoji and press Enter to open the selection.
For a shorter search in Docs, type a colon followed by an emoji name, such as :cat, and press Enter. If you need to enable or disable colon insertion, open Tools > Preferences and change Insert emojis using the colon character. That preference applies only to Docs.
In Google Sheets, open your spreadsheet and select Insert > Emoji. Alternatively, enter @emoji and press Enter. Search for or choose the emoji you want to add.
In a Gmail draft, click the emoji icon in the bottom toolbar. Choose an emoji from the picker to add it to your email.
In Google Chat, open a conversation and select Emoji in the reply area, then choose an emoji. You can also type : in the reply box to display the picker. To use these controls inside Gmail, select Chat and open your conversation.
Accept emoji suggestions while typing
In supported apps and websites, including Google Chat, type a word such as “wow” or “haha” to trigger emoji suggestions. When suggestions appear, use Up arrow or Down arrow to select one, then press Enter. In tablet mode, suggestions appear in the virtual keyboard’s suggestion bar.
Personal Chromebooks have emoji suggestions enabled by default, while school- or work-managed Chromebooks have them disabled by default. Suggestions also depend on the app or website supporting the feature, so a trigger word will not produce one everywhere. If no suggestion appears, use the built-in picker to choose an emoji yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off emoji suggestions without losing the emoji picker?
Yes, the suggestions setting does not remove the emoji picker. Select the time, then open Settings > Device > Keyboard > Input settings. Under Suggestions, turn off Emoji suggestions.
How do I change an emoji’s skin tone in Gmail?
In Gmail’s emoji picker, click the arrow at the bottom-right corner of an emoji that supports variations. Choose a skin tone or gender from the available options. Gmail keeps those selections until you change them.
Can I assign a keyboard key to Quick Insert?
Yes, if your Chromebook offers Quick Insert key customization. Select the time, then open Settings > Device > Keyboard and inputs > Customize keyboard keys. Select a key and choose Quick Insert from its dropdown. Press your assigned key to open Quick Insert and select an emoji.
Can I find a character by drawing it?
In Google Docs and Slides, open Insert > Symbols > Special characters, draw the character in the box, and click a matching result. You can also find characters through categories or their Unicode values. For emoji in Docs, use Insert > Symbols > Emoji and search for or choose an emoji instead. The special-characters dialog is not directly available in Sheets.
Can I paste an emoji using my voice?
Yes, copy the desired emoji first, then select the time and open Settings > Accessibility. Under Keyboard and text input, enable Dictation. Focus the destination, select Speak or press Search + D or Launcher + D, then say “Paste.” This uses Dictation’s clipboard command in supported text fields and languages.