What Do The G-Keys On A Computer Keyboard Actually Do?
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Chris Dosser
- October 24, 2020
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The G-Keys on a keyboard are programmable switches that allow a multi-step task to be shortened into the single press of a button.
Also known as macro keys, these helpful features speed up workflow by reducing the amount of time spent on repetitive tasks.
With the ability to program multi-step commands to be instantly completed, repeated in real time, or incorporate delays, G Keys have become extremely popular in the gaming community, amongst productivity enthusiasts and those with sore wrists.
An almost infinite number of automations can be assigned to a G-key, with requests able to incorporate a combination of mouse movements, mouse scrolling, keyboard actions as well as delays.
I myself keep things fairly conservative with my own macros going for quick wins on productivity only. Here’s how I use my first three keys to save time on tasks I know I’ll have to complete either at the start, or end of each working day.
- G1 (‘The Every Morning Button’) = Open Outlook + Open Microsoft Teams + Open Chrome > Login into Podio
- G2 (‘The Website Start Up’)= Launch Chrome > Open WordPress Login Portal > Login into WordPress Dashboard
- G3 (‘The Timesheet’) = Open Google Drive > Open my timesheet in Google Sheets, enter today’s date into a new row and then move across to the adjacent cell ready for me to record tasks completed.
In reality there are unlimited combinations of tasks that can be programmed to a macro key (even ordering your favourite Pizza in combination with IFTTT applets), so start paying attention to your most frequently repeated actions and begin saving yourself minutes each day.
How are G-Keys programmed for custom commands?

Chris Dosser
Co-Founder of Eden Indoors
Enjoys sharing solutions to problems encountered whilst building and improving his own home office over the past 8 years. Environmental graduate with a love for biophilic design at home and houseplants. Obsessive about making information easier to understand and simpler to digest.
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