---
title: Use Spaces with a keyboard
type: how-to
section: spaces
summary: Move through Spaces controls with Tab, search with Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, and use the message box without a mouse.
applies_to:
  clients: [web]
sources:
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/page-nav/nav-header.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/composer/message-composer.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/components/team-chat/search/team-chat-search-panel.tsx
  - evolve-front-end/app/i18n/locales/en/team-chat.json
verified:
  at: 2026-09-24
  env: code
  by: spaces-staff-launch
ttl_days: 45
related: [spaces/get-started, spaces/search-in-spaces, spaces/reply-in-a-thread]
---

Use Tab to move to Spaces controls and Enter to activate a focused button or link. Ctrl+K on Windows, or Cmd+K on a Mac, opens **Search Spaces** from anywhere in Spaces.

1. Press Tab until the Space, channel, or **DMs** control you need has focus, then activate it.
2. To find something quickly, press Ctrl+K or Cmd+K, enter at least two characters, and choose **Search**.
3. In a message box, type your message and press Enter to send it. Press Shift+Enter for a new line.

The message box also has a **Send message** button. A channel header offers **Messages**, **Pins**, **Threads**, and **Files** as separate tabs. Use the controls in the message row to open **Reply in thread** or other message actions.

## If it did not work

- If search does not find what you need, [Search in Spaces](/help/spaces/search-in-spaces) explains scopes and filters.
- If Enter does not send, check whether the message box shows an upload still in progress. See [Share a file in a channel](/help/spaces/share-a-file).
- If you cannot type in a channel, see [You cannot post in a channel](/help/spaces/you-cannot-post-in-a-channel).