How to Use Canned Responses in Gmail

Using a Computer

Understand which emails qualify for canned responses. Smart Reply isn't available for all emails; only emails to which Google can determine a sufficient response will qualify.

Open Gmail. Go to https://www.gmail.com/ in your computer's web browser. This will open your Gmail inbox if you're logged in. If you aren't logged in, enter your email address and password when prompted.

Click the gear-shaped icon Android 7 Settings. It's in the top-right corner of the page. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.

Enable the new version of Gmail if necessary. If you see Try the new Gmail at the top of the drop-down menu, click it and wait for your new inbox to load, then click the gear-shaped icon again before proceeding. If Go back to classic Gmail is listed at the top of the drop-down menu, you're using the new version of Gmail.

Click Settings. This option is in the drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Settings page.

Click Advanced. It's a tab at the top of the page. EXPERT TIP "You can set up canned responses through Gmail's 'Advanced' section, but you can also use an add-on like Mixmax to handle your emails." Marc Crabbé Marc Crabbé Google Suite Expert Marc is a translator and International Project Manager, who has been working in Google Suite for project management since 2011. Marc Crabbé Marc CrabbéGoogle Suite Expert

Enable canned responses. Check the "Enabled" box across from the "Canned Responses (Templates)" heading.

Scroll down and click Save Changes. It's at the bottom of the page. This will save your settings and add canned responses to supported emails.

Open an email. Find an email to which you want to reply using a canned response, then click the email to open it.

Select a Smart Reply option. If the email qualifies for canned responses, you'll find a list of replies at the bottom of the email. Clicking one will add the reply's text to the "Reply" text field. If you don't see any canned responses at the bottom of the email, you cannot use a canned response for your selected email.

Add any extra text you want to use. Selecting a Smart Reply answer won't automatically send your email, so you can add text to the message if you like.

Click Send. It's at the bottom of the page. Doing so will send your canned response to the recipient.

Using the Mobile App

Understand which emails qualify for canned responses. Smart Reply isn't available for all emails; only emails to which Google can determine a sufficient response will qualify.

Open Gmail. Tap the Gmail app, which resembles a red "M" on a white background, to do so. This will open your Gmail inbox if you're logged in. If you aren't logged in, you'll need to enter your email address and password when prompted to sign in.

Open an email. Find an email to which you want to reply using Smart Reply, then tap the email. The email must have been sent to you. You cannot use Smart Reply to reply to your own emails.

Look for Smart Reply options. If Smart Reply is available for your selected email, you'll see several blue boxes at the bottom of the screen with various responses.

Select a Smart Reply option. Tap the option you want to use to reply to the email.

Add any extra text you want to use. Selecting a Smart Reply answer won't automatically send your email, so you can add text to the message if you like.

Tap the "Send" Android 7 Send icon. It's a paper plane-shaped icon in the top-right corner of the screen. Doing so will send your canned response to the recipient.