X
Business

Google to Gmail users: You're getting these three new editing features

Google serves up useful new tools for composing email in Gmail on the web.
Written by Liam Tung, Contributing Writer

Google is rolling out handy new shortcut features in Gmail to help users correct mistakes and edit while in compose view. 

The features include a new shortcut to undo or redo in the compose window and a new shortcut for strikethrough text. 

The shortcuts will be added to each end of the formatting menu located at the bottom of the Gmail compose window.  

Just like word processors, Gmail will allow users to undo actions for the occasions you meant to copy text but accidentally deleted it. 

There's also a new redo option. The two buttons for undo and redo are respectively represented by curved backward and forward arrows which are located on the left-hand side of the formatting menu. 

SEE: Special report: The future of Everything as a Service (free PDF)

The new strikethrough button is located on the right-hand side of the menu. It has been introduced because users want a quick way to express a change in thought in email. 

"Strikethrough is a visual cue that something has been completed or can be used as an edit suggestion. We've heard from you that this functionality is critical to quickly and efficiently write emails, especially when you want to visually indicate a change in language," Google explains on its G Suite updates blog.  

gmailformatting.png

Gmail's new undo/redo buttons appear on the left of the menu, with strikethrough on the right.

Image: Google

Gmail users will also be able to download email as .EML files from the web. EML files are recognized by email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail or Thunderbird. Google says it will let users view Gmail content along with other attachments within these clients. Users can also add downloaded email as attachments in emails. 

Users can download messages as .EML files from the three-dot menu by clicking 'Download message' at the bottom. Previously this could done by clicking 'Show original' and downloading it as an .EML file, but took a few more steps. 

The new features are rolling out over the next few days to all Gmail users on the web and to G Suite users. 

Previous and related coverage

Google Gmail: Here's why you won't see gendered pronouns in Smart Compose

Google couldn't stop Smart Compose from suggesting gender-biased sentences, so it banned gendered pronouns.

Mozilla: Open-source Thunderbird getting new look, better Gmail support, encryption

Thunderbird developers promise to make the neglected open-source email client easier to use.

Google to Gmail users: Here's how you turn on new offline working, Smart Compose

Google rolls out offline support in Gmail and its new Smart Compose feature that completes your sentences.

Google adds Compose integrations to trigger actions within Gmail

At launch, Compose actions integrate with Dropbox, Atlassian, Box and Egnyte.

Gmail's new design: Love it or hate it, looks like you'll soon have to use it

The new Gmail will just be Gmail soon after it reaches general availability.

Gmail redesign: Google overhauls G Suite with more AI, less clutter

Google's G Suite makeover is aimed at saving businesses email hours, opens and time spent on notifications.

How to make the most of the new Gmail

Google's Gmail major rewrite introduces many new, useful features. Here's how to use the Gmail improvements, which are ready now.

Gmail spam mystery: Why have secure accounts started spamming themselves?

Spam appears in users' sent folders even from accounts that haven't been compromised.

Gmail's Android app now lets you undo sending an email CNET

Phew.

Why G Suite admins should enable Gmail's advanced anti-phishing and malware settings TechRepublic

Google recently added new G Suite safety settings to give Gmail users an added layer of protection. Learn how to warn users of harmful emails, or simply send them straight to spam with these options.

Editorial standards