Key takeaways:
- Use the Search + Shift + Space shortcut to open the emoji picker
- Select the GIF tab to browse and search for animated GIFs
- Insert GIFs directly into text fields, emails, and documents
Ever felt like your Chromebook messages were a bit… bland? I know I have. There’s something about plain text that just doesn’t capture the full range of human emotion. Sometimes you need a dancing cat or a mic drop to really get your point across.
Well, I’ve got good news for you. Your Chromebook has a secret weapon, and it’s about to make your digital conversations a whole lot more fun.
Table of Contents
The Magic Shortcut
Here’s the deal: Press Search + Shift + Space on your Chromebook. Boom! You’ve just unlocked a world of expressive possibilities.
This nifty shortcut opens up the emoji picker, but it’s not just for emojis. It’s also your gateway to a vast library of animated GIFs.
Finding the Perfect GIF

Once you’ve opened the picker, click on the GIF tab. You’ll see a selection of trending GIFs right off the bat.
Not seeing what you want? No worries. Just type a keyword into the search bar. Looking for a “happy dance” or a “facepalm”? Type it in and watch the options appear.
Inserting Your Chosen GIF
Found the perfect GIF? Great! Simply click on it, and it’ll be inserted right where your cursor is. It works in:
- Emails
- Chat apps
- Documents
- Social media posts
Pretty much anywhere you can type text, you can now add a GIF.
Size Matters
Sometimes, your GIF might be a bit too large or small for your liking. In many apps, like Gmail, you can resize your GIF after inserting it.
Just click on the GIF once it’s in your message. You’ll see little handles appear around the edges. Drag these to resize your GIF to perfection.

When GIFs Don’t Work
Now, I should mention that this won’t work everywhere. Some platforms, like Twitter or Facebook, have their own built-in GIF tools. In these cases, you’ll need to use their native GIF picker instead.
But for most other places? You’re good to go with your Chromebook’s built-in tool.
FAQ
Why can’t I see the GIF tab in my emoji picker?
Make sure you’re running the latest version of ChromeOS. If you still don’t see it, you might need to enable it in Chrome flags. Type chrome://flags
in your browser, search for “emoji”, and enable the “System emoji picker GIF support” flag.
Are these GIFs stored on my Chromebook?
Nope! They’re pulled from the internet when you search for them. This means you’re not using up your precious storage space.
Can I use this feature offline?
Unfortunately, no. Since the GIFs are pulled from the internet, you’ll need to be online to search for and insert them.
Remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Use your newfound GIF powers wisely, and happy Chromebooking!