Chromebook Help

Learn more about Chromebooks

Click on each section drop down arrow to learn more about the Chromebook features

Search within Chromebook settings

You can quickly find specific Chromebook settings using the search bar.


  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

  2. Select Settings . Or press Alt + Shift + s.

  3. At the top, in the search bar, type a keyword, like Wi-Fi, wallpaper, display, VPN.

    • Tip: To go to the search bar, you can also press Ctrl + f.

  4. In the drop-down, select an option you are looking for.

Using Chromebook with PSF, IBIS, Cash books

All tearfund finance systems and processes are available from the LONDON finance server

Step 1: Connect to a VPN

  • At the bottom right, select the time.

  • Select VPN .

  • use your Network (AD) password

  • see VPN pages for more help

Step 2: connect (RDP) to LONDON server

  1. Select the Xtralogic RDP Client from the bottom shelf (or Launcher menu).

  2. Find the PSF & IBIS LONDON.tearfund.org server

  3. Select Connect.

You can find more information on connecting to wifi on chromebook here

Chromebook Popular Keyboard Shortcuts

You can use keyboard shortcuts to complete some tasks more quickly. See all keyboard shortcuts on your Chromebook, Press Ctrl + Alt + /(forward slash).

Popular shortcuts

  • Take a screenshot: Press Ctrl + Show windows (or Ctrl + F5).

  • Take a partial screenshot: Press Shift + Ctrl + Show windows (or Shift + Ctrl + F5), then click and drag.

  • Take a screenshot (on tablets): Press Power button + Volume down button.

  • Turn Caps Lock on or off: Press Search Key + Alt.

  • Lock your screen: Press Search Key + L.

  • Sign out of your Google Account: Press Shift + Ctrl + q (twice).

Chromebook Shortcuts on external keyboards

If you’re using a Windows or Mac keyboard, press the Windows key or Command key instead of Search Key

To change how a specific keyboard key works:

  1. At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s.

  2. Select Settings .

  3. Under 'Device', choose Keyboard.

  4. Change the function of one or more keys.

Connecting Chromebook to monitors

You can connect your Chromebook to a monitor or TV with an HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA port.

Sometimes you need an adaptor cable to do this.

At Teddington, We usually have adaptor cable attached to all monitors.

For other work locations, You might have to contact your local IT for adaptor cable.

  1. Use these two ports to find the correct adaptor (e.g. DisplayPort to HDMI).

  2. Plug the adaptor into the monitor, then into your Chromebook.

Show your Chromebook screen on your monitor

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

  2. Select Settings .

  3. In the 'Device' section, select Displays.

  4. Select Mirror Internal Display. Your screen will show on all connected monitors.

Tip: To view your Chromebook screen only on your monitor, press and hold Decrease brightness

Adjust screen Display on Connected Monitor

Adjust your screens


  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

  2. Select Settings .

  3. In the 'Device' section, select Displays.

  4. To adjust your Chromebook screen, select Internal Display. To adjust your monitor screen, select the name of the monitor.

    • Make items on your screen smaller or larger: In the 'Display size' section, choose an option.

    • Rotate the screen: In the 'Orientation' section, choose an option.

  5. [Optional] Under your monitor tab, you can also:

    • Change screen sharpness: In the 'Resolution' section, choose an option.

Tip: To quickly move windows or apps from one screen to another, on your keyboard, press Search + Alt + m.

Connecting Chromebook to Wi-Fi

To connect to the Internet, use a compatible Wi-Fi network.

Step 1: Turn on Wi-Fi

  • At the bottom right, select the time.

  • Select Not Connected .

Note: If you see your Wi-Fi network name and a signal strength, your Chromebook is already connected to Wi-Fi.

  • Turn on Wi-Fi.

  • Your Chromebook will automatically look for available networks and show them to you in a list.

Step 2: Pick a network and connect

Connect to a secure network (Tearfund Network at your location)

  1. Select the secure Wi-Fi network .

  2. Type the WiFi network password.

  3. Select Connect.

Note: Teddingtion staff - Connect to " TearFi " Wi-Fi only, Other locations can connect to their local Wi Fi.

You can find more information on connecting to wifi on chromebook here

Connecting Chromebook to Mobile Data Network

If your Chromebook has a data plan, you can connect it to both Wi-Fi and mobile data networks.

Note: Using your mobile phone's data network with your Chromebook is not recommended.

Check if your Chromebook can connect to mobile data

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

  2. Select Settings .

  3. In the 'Network' section, look for a 'Mobile data' option. If you see this option, your Chromebook can connect to a mobile network.

Step 1: Activate mobile data on your device

Step 2: Connect to mobile data

After you've activated mobile data, you can connect to it:

  1. If you haven't already, sign in to your Chromebook.

  2. At the bottom right, select the time.

  3. Select your network .

  4. Turn on Mobile data.

If a Wi-Fi network is available, your Chromebook will always connect to Wi-Fi rather than a mobile network. To only use mobile data, turn off Wi-Fi.

Connecting to Bluetooth devices

Step 1: Check if your Chromebook works with Bluetooth

  • At the bottom right, select the time.

  • If you see Bluetooth , your Chromebook works with Bluetooth.

Step 2: Pair a Bluetooth accessory

  • At the bottom right, select the time.

  • Select Bluetooth .

  • If Bluetooth is off, turn on Bluetooth.

  • Select the accessory that you want to connect to.

  • Follow the onscreen instructions to finish connecting.

  • To check if your accessory is connected, look under 'Paired devices'.

Note: Your phone doesn’t pair to your Chromebook with Bluetooth, but you can connect to your phone's network.

Turn off Bluetooth

  1. At the bottom right, select the time.

  2. Select Bluetooth .

  3. Turn off Bluetooth.

Printers on your Chromebooks

Setup Printer on Chromebook

You can print from your Chromebook using most printers that connect to Wi-Fi or a wired network.

Tip: You can also use a USB cable to connect your printer to your Chromebook. When you use a cable, you'll see a notification. Follow any on-screen instructions. Your printer won’t need to be connected to Wi-Fi if it is directly connected to your Chromebook.

Step 1: Connect to the Internet

  1. Turn on your printer.

  2. Connect your printer to a network. If you need help, follow your printer manufacturer’s instructions.

  3. If you haven’t yet, turn on your Chromebook and sign in.

  4. Connect your Chromebook to the same network as your printer. Learn how to connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Print a page

  1. To print the page, image or document that you’re viewing, press Ctrl + p.

  2. Next to 'Destination', select the Down arrow .

  3. Select See more...

  4. Choose your printer. Tip: Some printers will automatically appear on this list. If you don’t see your printer on the list, you can select Manage.

  5. Select Print.

Add a printer to your Chromebook

  1. At the bottom right corner on your taskbar, select the time.

  2. Now, Select Settings .

  3. Scroll to the bottom, select Advanced.

  4. In the 'Printing' section, select Printers.

  5. Select Add Printer.

  6. Choose your printer that has been setup already from the list, then select Add.

Advanced printer configuration

If your printer can't be saved automatically, you can use the advanced setup process.

  1. Next to the printer name, select Set up.

  2. In the box that appears, choose your printer manufacturer and model.

    • To find this info, look at the label on your printer.

  3. Select Add.

  4. Check that your printer appears at the top, under 'Saved printers'.

If your printer doesn't appear in the manufacturer or model drop-down menus, you can specify your printer PPD.

PostScript Printer Description (PPD)

Chromebooks use PPD files to support printers. PPD files are different from printer drivers and tell your Chromebook how to support a specific printer model.

  1. In the box that appears next to 'Or specify your printer PPD', select Browse.

  2. Choose your printer PPD, then select Open.

Important: Chromebooks support .ppd or .gzip file formats with a file size up to 250 KB.

Add Printer Manually on Chromebook

If your printer doesn’t show when you click 'Add Printer', you can also add your printer manually.

Important: If you're using a Chromebook at work and you're not able to add a new printer, contact your administrator.

  1. At the bottom right corner of your taskbar, select the time.

  2. Now, Select Settings .

  3. At the bottom, select Advanced.

  4. Under 'Printing', select Printers.

  5. Next to 'Add printer', select Add printer .

  6. Enter your printer information:

    • Name: Enter any name.

    • Address: Enter your printer’s IP address.

    • Protocol: For most printers, the supported connection protocol is IPP.

    • Queue: For most printers, the queue is ipp/print.

  7. Select Add.

If your printer can't be set up automatically, you can continue to follow the on-screen steps for advanced printer configuration with PPD files.

Chromebook - Video Tutorials

How to Use Chromebook touchscreen (most Chromebooks do not have this feature)

If your Chromebook has a touchscreen, here are some actions that you can take on it:

  • Click: Tap where you want to click.

  • Right-click: Touch and hold where you want to right-click.

  • Scroll: Drag your finger up, down, right or left.

  • Go to a previous page on your browser: To go back, swipe your finger from left to right. To go forward, swipe from right to left.

  • Zoom in or out: Touch and hold an area with two fingers.

    • To zoom in, spread them apart.

    • To zoom out, pinch them together.

  • Open Launcher: Swipe up from the row of apps at the bottom of the screen.

  • Show your row of apps (shelf): Swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

  • Hide your row of apps (shelf): Long-press on the row of apps on the bottom of the screen.

View two apps side by side: If you see all your open windows on the screen, drag an app to the left or right to use it next to another app.

Open and close windows and tabs

  • Open a new window: In the top-right corner of the window, tap More New window.

  • Open a new tab: Next to your open tab, tap New Tab .

  • Close window or tab: Swipe down from the top of the screen to see all of your open windows. Then swipe down on a window to close it.

Reopen a window or tab that you closed: At the top, next to a tab, tap and hold. Select Reopen closed tab.

See two windows at the same time

  1. From the top of the screen, swipe down to see an overview of your windows.

  2. Drag one of the windows that you want to use to the left or right edge of the screen.

  3. Tap the other window that you want to use.

  4. To adjust the sizes of the two windows, drag the line at the centre of the split screen.

To remove the split screen, drag the line at the centre of the split screen to either side. Tip: At the bottom right, you can also touch and hold Overview

Reorder, move or pin tabs

You can put related tabs together, or move a tab into or out of a window. Also, if there’s a web page that you always want open, such as your email, you can make that tab easy to find by pinning it.

  • Reorder tabs within the same window: Drag the tab to a different position along the top of the browser window.

  • Move a tab into a new window: Drag the tab away from the window.

  • Move a tab into another window: From the top of the tab, drag your finger down to split the tab into a new window. Then, from the top of the new window, drag the tab over the window that you want to add it to. When you release the tab, it merges with the existing window.

  • Move a tab from one split-screen window to another: When in split screen, drag the tab away from the window and over to the other half of the screen. It can be added to an existing Chrome window, or become the new split-screen window.

Pin a tab in place: Tap and hold the tab that you want to pin to see the menu. Select Pin tab. Pinned tabs appear on the left side of your browser window and are smaller.