6 Great Zoom Shortcuts That Will Improve Your Work Calls

If you haven't heard of Zoom — or haven't poked around Zoom's shortcuts — then you either are reading this article on a stone tablet or you are a time traveler discovering the internet for the first time. Zoom is a remote video communications tool that has had a huge impact on the world of video conferencing, chatting, and online meetings, especially in light of the 2020 pandemic. Zoom's shortcuts are incredibly user-friendly, and an incredible amount of versatility as a communication tool.

Zoom’s position at the top of the video conferencing food chain is richly deserved. They offer several services that are incredibly unique and distinct to their brand. Zoom offers full HD broadcasting options that takes you beyond just hearing a presenter and seeing slides. Their chat options, and user-friendly interface have always been a huge draw as well.

Something else that makes Zoom stand apart is how it brings a presenter to a live audience. As a presenter, when asked a question, Zoom lets you not only hear the question but actually see it and feel it. Also, this tool affords you the opportunity to record each session. This means that you get unfettered access to every conversation that transpired during the video conference and those who weren’t able to be present during the meeting don’t lose out.

There are even more awesome benefits to using this tool that’ll go unlisted. However, for you to be able to actually use this tool to its fullest potential there are a few tips and zoom shortcuts you need to learn.

Join us as we provide a brief rundown of some hacks that’ll further improve your user experience on Zoom.

1. Quick Invite

Alt+I // ⌘Cmd+I

Are you in a meeting and need someone else to join you pronto? Zoom offers an instant way to connect another user to your meeting. All you need do is open an invite window! Click PC: Alt+I or Mac: ⌘Cmd+I. Copy the URL link from the Email tab that pops up and forward it!

If you don’t want to use the shortcut, you could also activate the Auto-copy Invite URL When Starting A Meeting option. All you need to do is access the General Settings option in your Zoom app, locate and activate the function. You remove the added stress of manually copying URLs and get everyone in the virtual room with ease.

2. Instant Audio Mute

Alt+A // ⌘Cmd+Shift+A

There's nothing more embarrassing than being the noisy one in a quiet zoom meeting. Your boss is talking and suddenly your dog decides it's time to sing you a song. You need to quickly mute your Zoom session.

PC: Alt+A or Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+A is the fastest way to mute and unmute the audio on your session without having to find the button with your mouse. Those few seconds saved can be the make or break for meeting-interruptions.

And remember, when you're on mute, you can always press and hold the Space Bar to momentarily take you off mute. Almost like a walkie-talkie, over.

3. Instant Video Deactivation

Alt+V // ⌘Cmd+Shift+V

You can deactivate or activate your video feed on Zoom with this simple shortcut for the same reasons listed above. Simply press PC: Alt+V (⌘Cmd+Shift+V). It's easy to remember, and incredibly effective.

4. Share Screen Zoom Shortcuts

Alt+Shift+S // ⌘Cmd+Shift+S • Alt+T // ⌘Cmd+Shift+T

One thing that few video conferencing tools do better than Zoom is real-time screen sharing. This is the feature that put Zoom on the map to begin with. Once your session is in progress and you want to start sharing your screen, simply click PC: Alt+Shift+S or Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+S.

If you start sharing and need a moment to clean up your embarrassingly cluttered desktop, you can always pause and resume the screen sharing by using PC: Alt+T or Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+T.

5. Record Zoom Meeting Shortcuts

Alt+R // ⌘Cmd+Shift+R • Alt+P // ⌘Cmd+Shift+P

If you're in a meeting you need to refer back to, or pass along to an absent colleague, you can record it with a few short steps. Simply type PC: Alt+R or Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+R when you’re ready to start recording. To pause or resume your recording, press PC: Alt+P or Mac: ⌘Cmd+Shift+P and you’re all set.

6. Raise/Lower Your Hand

Alt+Y // Option+Y

It's hard to know who is speaking and who is asking questions, especially in a learning environment or round table group-meeting. Zoom was ingenious when they enabled the "raise your hand" function on their app. Not only does it make sure you're seen, but it gives order to the chaos.

To enable it quickly, simply use PC: Alt+Y or Mac: Option+Y to toggle your hand. That way you're not rudely interrupting, and the leader of the call can make space for everyone's voice.

Using any or all of these handy shortcuts on Zoom will have you looking like a pro in no time. What’s more, they’re guaranteed to improve your Zoom user experience and help you navigate the online work sphere with ease.

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