Gmail is fast. But when you count the number of emails you have to send every day, every saved second counts. So how can you cut short the already quick process of launching Gmail and clicking on the New button to open the Compose window?

Use a bookmark!

As Gmail is a cloud app, there is a URL associated with everything. It's just a matter of picking that URL and adding a few strings that will pass on the parameters you want to send with the email. You just need to keep this URL bookmarked on your toolbar.

Hats off to this Stack Overflow thread for the idea!

The Special Gmail URL to Bookmark

This simple URL will take you to a clutter-free email window. You'll have to be logged in to your Google account, of course:

            https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1
    

You can use a few specific strings with the above URL if you want to populate the email with a few default parameters (e.g. contact addresses, a subject line, some boilerplate text for the email body). For instance, if you want to send a canned response:

            https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&to=someone@example.com&su=SUBJECT&body=BODY&bcc=someone.else@example.com
    

The parameters you can use include:

  • &to= Add contacts. Separate multiple contacts with commas.
  • &cc= Add CC recipients.
  • &bcc= Add BCC recipients.
  • &su= Add a subject.
  • &BODY= Adds any canned text to the email.

To include spaces (e.g. for the subject line), you need to use this special character:

            %20
    

For example:

            https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=contact1@email.com,contact2@email.com&cc=team@office.com&bcc=boss@office.com&su=Hello%20World!&body=This%20Is%20Just%20An%20Example
    

Build your email link, then it's a simple matter of saving it as a bookmark on your browser's toolbar. Don't forget to test it!

This quick Gmail bookmark can come in handy for emails you send as a regular habit. For instance, a "thank you" email or a quick email to let someone know that you are available for a meeting.

What's Your Favorite Gmail Feature?

My favorite feature of Gmail is the Canned Response. It can be a huge time-saver in a busy inbox.

Which is yours? How do you use a Gmail trick to speed up your workflow?