How many clicks does it really take to compose a new email, schedule a meeting, or retrieve a crucial piece of information from another application? The answer, more often than not, is "too many." And too many clicks spoil focus and slow down productivity.
But what if you could replace those tedious multi-step operations with simple, super-fast actions? Zoho Mail is excited to announce the release of slash commands, designed to simplify your email experience.
Need your events for the day? Slash. Want to add a task? Slash. Feeling overwhelmed and need a vacation? Well, slash commands can't book that tropical getaway, but it can definitely help fetch your bookmarks containing your favorite places.
With slash commands, you can perform actions faster, focus on what matters most, and even have time for a coffee break.
What are slash commands?
Slash commands are keyboard shortcuts that let you perform common email actions quickly by typing the slash symbol followed by a command. You just type a forward slash (/) followed by a command, and you're there.
Imagine you're trying to get from A to B in your inbox. Traditionally, you'd navigate through menus and click through multiple screens. However, with a simple forward slash (/) and a few keystrokes, slash commands instantly whisk you to the operation you want to perform.
How do slash commands work in Zoho Mail?
Your inbox is the central hub of your workday, a place where you not only communicate but also access and interact with all of your essential applications. Now, picture being able to seamlessly pull data from those applications directly into your email without ever leaving your inbox. Zoho Mail's slash commands put you in total control.
With Zoho Mail’s slash commands, you can seamlessly integrate and interact with external applications directly from the Mail Assistant.
Need to add an email as a support ticket in Zoho Desk? Type /ZohoDesk/CreateTicket to quickly convert an email into a ticket.
Want to view a list of all your open tasks in Zoho Projects? /ZohoProjects/OpenTasks pulls the information and you can insert it directly in your draft.
Types of slash commands
You'll find two powerful sets of commands, each designed to streamline your workflow in distinct ways.
First, we have system slash commands. Think of these as your pre-built, ready-to-use shortcuts. They're the commands that come standard, allowing you to instantly access core Zoho applications and even popular third-party tools like Asana and HubSpot, all directly from your Mail Assistant. Here are some of the pre-built system slash commands that you can find:
- /ZMail/GetEvents: Get the list of your events in the calendar of your choice.
- /ZohoDesk/SearchTicket: Search for tickets by ticket number.
- /ZohoProjects/AddBug: Add a bug report about your project.
- /ZohoCRM/ViewRecords: List records by view.
- /ZohoSprints/AddWorkItem: Add a work item in Sprints.
Then, for those who crave a truly personalized experience, there are custom slash commands. These are the commands you create yourself, tailored to your organization's specific needs. (To learn how to create a custom slash command, click here.)
Need to access a specific internal database or a custom application quickly? Create a slash command for it. And here's the best part: These custom commands can be shared with your colleagues, ensuring that everyone benefits from your tailored workflow. (To learn how to share custom slash commands with your organization users, click here.)
How to get started with slash commands
Getting started with slash commands in Zoho Mail is straightforward.
- Open Zoho Mail.
- Type '/' in the Mail Assistant.
- Choose an app from the list or type the app directly.
- Choose a command from the list or type the command directly.
- Follow the prompts to complete the action.
(Click here for detailed instructions.)
Simplifying email productivity
At Zoho Mail, we’re committed to making email management simpler and more efficient. Slash commands are just one example of how we're shaping the future of email—a future where your inbox works for you, not the other way around.
Start with a few commands and gradually incorporate more into your workflow. We’d love to hear how slash commands are working for you. Share your thoughts and suggestions with us in the comments below.
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