Shift+Enter Behavior in Google AI Studio Input Boxes

Google AI Studio
1

Problem Encountered

In Google AI Studio, pressing Shift+Enter sends the input to the server instead of inserting a line break, unlike the behavior observed in similar platforms like ChatGPT.

What I Expected to Happen

Shift+Enter should allow users to insert a line break within the input box, facilitating better organization and formatting of the input before submission.

Steps to Reproduce

  1. Navigate to Google AI Studio.
  2. Focus on any input box where you can type text.
  3. Type any text and press Shift+Enter.

Observed Behavior

  • Google AI Studio: Pressing Shift+Enter sends the input to the server, similar to pressing Enter alone.
  • ChatGPT (for comparison): Pressing Shift+Enter inserts a line break, allowing further text input without submission.

Comparison of Shift+Enter Behavior in Google AI Studio and ChatGPT Interfaces

1. Google AI Studio: Input is Sent to the Server

  • Behavior Description: Pressing Shift+Enter in Google AI Studio triggers the input to be sent to the server rather than allowing for the insertion of a new line within the input box. This behavior suggests that Shift+Enter is configured to function similarly to pressing Enter alone, which typically submits the data.
  • User Impact: This setup limits the ability to format queries or instructions within a single input field, as users cannot add line breaks to separate or organize their thoughts before submitting. It could affect the ease of drafting complex prompts or commands that benefit from visual organization.

2. ChatGPT: Allows Line Breaks Within the Input Box

  • Behavior Description: In contrast, the ChatGPT interface supports the insertion of line breaks when Shift+Enter is pressed. This functionality aligns with typical text editing practices where Shift+Enter is used to create a new line without submitting the text.
  • User Impact: This feature enhances user experience by allowing more precise control over text input. It is particularly beneficial in scenarios where users need to compose multi-line inputs, such as drafting messages, composing lists, or separating distinct pieces of information clearly.

Workaround: Shift+Enter for Inserting Line Breaks

Context: In certain applications, pressing Shift+Enter in an input box might not behave as expected. For example, instead of inserting a new line, it might submit the form or do nothing. This workaround explains how to enable multiple lines in an input box using Shift+Enter.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Submit the Input:
  • After completing your initial input, submit the form or input as usual. This action might not show the new line as intended.
  • Workaround 01 - Screenshot 2024-07-11 at 02.11.11.png
  1. Editing the Submitted Input:
  • Once the input is submitted, locate the edit option for your submitted response. Click on ā€˜Editā€™ to modify the submitted input.
  • Screenshot Reference:
    • Workaround 02 - Screenshot 2024-07-11 at 02.11.22.png
  1. Re-Run the Response:
  • After editing the input, ensure that you press Shift+Enter to insert new lines where necessary.
  • Re-submit or update the response to save the changes.
  • This ensures that the new lines are correctly added and displayed in the input box.
  • Screenshot Reference:
    • Workaround 03 - Screenshot 2024-07-11 at 02.11.34.png

Workaroudn Summary

By following these steps, you can successfully use Shift+Enter to insert line breaks in an input box, enabling the creation of multi-line text. This workaround involves initially submitting the input, then editing the submission to properly insert new lines using Shift+Enter.

Impact on Accessibility: Users who rely on keyboard shortcuts to navigate and interact with digital content will expect Shift+Enter to insert a line break without submitting text. This behavior is critical for those who need to structure their input carefully, such as people with mobility or visual impairments who utilize screen readers or specialized input devices.

3 Likes
2

Hi @rif,

It works with just with only enter instead of shift + enter. Probably you can avoid the edit step and changing again the prompt.

Thanks

2 Likes
3

I, along with many others, can relate to and fully agree that changing a well-established technique and doing it the opposite way is simply bad practice. It has become ingrained in our muscle memory that pressing enter in the chatbot text area sends our query, while using shift+enter produces a new line.

I fail to understand why ā€œsomeoneā€ occasionally decides to suddenly reverse this. Instead, why not simply add a checkbox that allows us to uncheck it? This way, those of us who are accustomed to doing it THE NORMAL WAY are not forced to change. There is nothing wrong with finding a win-win solution that makes everyone happy.

1 Like
4

Welcome to the forum. I absolutely second (and third) the proposal to have an option in settings. Some of us tried to encourage that approach to ease usability issues with AI Studio here: Your opinion on recent AI Studio changes, this was sadly not in any way acknowledged (by Google saying this is a good idea and we will consider it for a next release or saying we wonā€™t do it and hereā€™s why).

Hope your proposal fares better!

1 Like
5

Could you please clarify your response, @Siva_Sravana_Kumar_N? Have you read the community guidelines? It seems like you repeated what I said without adding any new insights. Iā€™m not sure if Googleā€™s OKR is to ensure a reply to every message, but your response didnā€™t contribute to the conversation.

Here are 21 applications and their behaviour with Shift+Enter:

0. Google Forms: Inserts a line break.

1. Microsoft Word: Inserts a line break.

2. Google Docs: Inserts a line break.

3. Notepad: Inserts a line break.

4. Notepad++: Inserts a line break.

5. Sublime Text: Inserts a line break.

6. Atom: Inserts a line break.

7. Visual Studio Code: Inserts a line break.

8. Gmail: Inserts a line break in the email body.

9. Facebook: Inserts a line break in the comment field.

10. Twitter: Inserts a line break in the tweet box.

11. Slack: Inserts a line break in the message box.

12. Discord: Inserts a line break in the chat box.

13. Reddit: Inserts a line break in the comment box.

14. Stack Overflow: Inserts a line break in the answer box.

15. Github: Inserts a line break in the commit message box.

16. Trello: Inserts a line break in the card description box.

17. Notion: Inserts a line break in the text block.

18. Figma: Inserts a line break in the text field.

19. Adobe Photoshop: Inserts a line break in the text layer.

20. Adobe Illustrator: Inserts a line break in the text frame.

3 Likes
6

You are absolutelyright rather than using ctrl+enter to send they should just use the deafult one. Enter for send and shif+enter Inserts a line break in the text layer. Or at least they give the option we chose by our self.

7

Well, here we are months later, and a reasonable request hasnā€™t been (seriously) addressed by anyone at Google.
Itā€™s discouraging to contribute when weā€™re simply ignored. :disappointed:

This inconsistency is especially evident after rif provided an exceptional overview comparing this behavior to other applications.