How To Take A Screenshot On Chromebook: The #1 Simplest Method…

By Daniel Segun
Updated: 09/16/20 - 5 min read
User Guides

Want to take a screenshot on Google Chromebook? Read on!

Screenshotting on Google Chromebook involves using unique combinations of keys and methods. It is nonetheless a simple process when compared with screenshotting on a Windows or Mac PC. 

This article will teach you how to take a screenshot on Google Chromebook. Also, we will show you additional tips on editing your screenshots. And if you want to unlock some of Chrome’s latest and currently hidden features, make sure you check out our guide on Enabling Chrome Flags – it’s super cool. 

How To Take A Screenshot On Chromebook

How To Take A Full Screenshot On Chromebook

  1. Launch the page you want to capture.
  2. Hold down the Control key (Ctrl) + the switch windows key simultaneously to take a screenshot. (The switch windows key is the 7th key from right when counting from the ESC key. It has a rectangular icon with two vertical lines drawn beside the rectangle).
  3. The screenshot is displayed as a thumbnail at the bottom-left of your screen.
  4. Clicking the thumbnail notification takes you to the ‘Download’ folder where screenshots are saved using date and time as labels.
  5. You can also access your screenshot image by clicking on the folder icon on your taskbar. 

How To Take A Partial Screenshot On Your Chromebook

To take a screenshot of a specific portion, follow the steps below:

  1. Hold-down the shift + Ctrl + Switch windows key together at the same time. The switch windows key is the equivalent of the F5 key on the standard keyboard.
  2.  Your screen dims, while the cursor changes to a crosshair.
  3. Hold down your mouse left-click or the left side of your touchpad and drag the crosshair to select the section of your screen you want to capture starting from the top.
  4. Release the mouse or lift your finger after selecting the area to capture
  5. The captured area is saved in your ‘downloads’ folder.

How To Take Screenshots On Chromebook Using An External Keyboard 

  1. Launch the page you want to screenshot
  2. Press the ctrl + and F5 keys at the same time to take a full screenshot of your Chromebook screen.
  3. To take a partial screenshot,  press the Shift + Ctrl + F5 keys.
  4. Drag the crosshair over the section of your screen to select the area you want to screenshot.
  5. Release the crosshair and check your download folder for your saved screenshot.

How To Take Screenshots In Tablet Mode 

If you’re using a two-in-one tablet running on the Chrome OS, don’t worry, you can enjoy screenshotting on your device by using any of the two methods below.

Method 1: Use a combination of power and volume buttons

  1. Press the power and volume-down keys concurrently to take a screenshot. 
  2. Your screenshot is captured, and you get a thumbnail notification.
  3. Your screenshot image is stored in the download folder on your device. 

Method 2: Use your stylus pen

This method is useful if you’re using a Chromebook with a touch screen.

  1. Launch the page you want to screenshot
  2. Tap on the screen with your stylus until the stylus menu pops up.
  3. On the stylus menu, tap on ‘Capture Screen’ to screenshot your entire screen display. 
  4. To take a partial screenshot, tap on the ‘Capture region.’
  5. Hold and drag your stylus pen over the screen from the starting point, selecting the area you want to screenshot. 
  6. Release the stylus to take a screenshot of the captured area
  7. Your screenshot image is displayed as a thumbnail notification. You can also access your screenshot image in the ‘Download’ folder.

How To Take Screenshots On Chromebook Using Chrome Extension 

For this to work, you have to download a screenshot extension from Chrome Web Store. Some of the popular screenshot extensions you can download include Fireshot and Awesome Screenshot.

To take a screenshot, follow these steps:

  1. Launch the page you want to screenshot
  2. Go to your Chrome browser’s menu.
  3. Tap on ‘Screenshot’ to capture your screen’s display. 

Nevertheless, let’s show you how to copy screenshots to the clipboard.

How To Copy Screenshots To The Clipboard On Chromebook

To copy screenshot images to the clipboard, apply these steps:

  1. Take a screenshot.
  2. Click on the thumbnail notification that appears at the bottom left of your screen.
  3. Alternatively, you can also copy the screenshot from the ‘Download’ folder.
  4. Click on the ‘copy to clipboard’ button.
  5. Launch your clipboard or any page you want to paste the copied screenshot.
  6. Press Ctrl + V to paste the copied screenshot.

Now that you can take screenshots on your Chromebook, let’s show you how to edit them.

How To Edit Screenshots On Google Chromebook

Apply these steps to edit screenshots on Google Chromebook:

  1. Open the ‘Download’ folder by clicking on the ‘Download’ icon in your taskbar.
  2. Double-click on the screenshot image you want to edit.
  3. Then, the screenshot image will open in the image viewer.
  4. Click the editing icon (pen icon at the top-right of the editing screen) to start editing your screenshot image.
  5. Click the ‘Exit’ icon at the bottom-right to exit edit mode when you’re done editing.

A Final Word…

Screenshots are useful for various purposes, ranging from reporting error messages to capturing pictures and game screens. Whatever you intend to capture, you would find any of the above screenshotting methods handy.

Check out how long Chromebooks last here! And check out how to copy and paste on a Chromebook here!

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Daniel Segun

Daniel Segun is a Content Writer, Graphics Designer, and Web Developer with a background in Computer Science. His work has appeared on several publications such as GraceThemes, Web Designer Depot, SecureBlitz, NewsLair, CryptoJefe, and more...

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