How to map Gmail's "delete conversation" shortcut to use the actual "delete" key instead of the pound # key

Question

I use Gmail's web application and I would like to delete a conversation by pressing the DEL key on my keyboard. By default, the delete shortcut is #.

I found the "Keyboard Shortcuts" section in Gmail settings. I know how to map this delete feature to any key except the DEL key. I tried to type DEL in the Custom keyboard shortcut section but it doesn't work.

Does anyone know how this can be done?

Answer 1

For those who have not yet enabled keyboard shortcuts in GMail, perform this precursory step: Use this google help article to enable keyboard shortcuts in GMail. Further down in the article, you'll see steps to customize keyboard shortcuts. If the link is dead, the current steps are GMail's Settings > General tab, Keyboard Shortcuts: on. Then, possibly after page reload, within GMail settings, you should see a new tab, GMail's Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts.

Navigate to Keyboard Shortcuts in GMail's Settings and scroll to the Delete Action.

Next, we have to copy the character used to represent the press of a delete key. We have to do this part manually because Stack Exchange removes the character when posting, so it cannot be provided within this answer. The ASCII no. for delete, is 127. Input that number into ASCII number to char convertor, click 'Convert to String', then 'Copy to Clipboard' to obtain the symbol.

Paste that symbol next to the Delete Action in GMail's Keyboard Shortcut's tab. Click Save Changes at the bottom.

Answer 2

This Chrome extension worked for me: Delete Key for Gmail

Use the delete key without a modifier key like this:

Note that it seems to work while the email is open, but not in list view. I suspect the extension could be modified to support list view. You could contact the developer via the Support section on the extension page if that is a feature you need.