Assigning multimedia commands to Logitech keyboards with Logi Options+: shortcuts, gestures, and macros

If you use Logitech keyboards and want to control playback, volume, or skip songs without taking your fingers off the keyboard, with Logi Options+ you can do it easily and powerfully. In this guide, you'll find how to assign commands multimedia and other useful actions, supported by shortcuts, gestures and macros, all explained step by step in a single resource.

The goal is to configure your device the way you want: from Play/Pause and Previous/Next Track to turning the volume up or down, to advanced actions like opening apps or run macros. Many instructions also apply to mice and touchpads, but we will focus on Logitech keyboards and in multimedia control, integrating gestures, shortcuts and profiles when relevant.

What is Logi Options+ and what can you customize?

Logi Options+ is the Logitech app designed to fully customize your compatible peripherals. With it, you can adapt Mice, keyboards, lights, webcams, touchpads, and presentation controllers, creating a faster and more convenient workflow without the need for third-party tools.

When you open the app, you'll see a carousel of your devices. After clicking on yours, you'll access the specific configuration page. Depending on the model (mouse, keyboard, or presenter), the interface will display the section KEYS o BUTTONSIf it's not highlighted, select it to see which keys or buttons are available for programming.

The keys that support assignment are highlighted on the screen (they usually appear marked in white). On mice, buttons are clearly labeled. This view is key to identifying where to place your media controls or any other actions you're interested in.

Quick button and key configuration

The quick route to assigning actions to keys or buttons is very straightforward. Start by choosing the key or button you want to modify: doing so will open a side panel on the right with all the shares available for that element.

With the side panel open, simply tap the action you want to apply. At that moment, the selected key or button will be programmed with your current election, being able to change it at any time if you need to.

Stock categories in Options+ (includes multimedia)

Within the action panel, you'll see groupings that make it easier to find what you're looking for. These are the most common sections and what they contain, so you can quickly locate the multimedia controls and much more:

• I RECOMMEND: Default actions that Logitech assigns when you first set up your device. For mice, these also appear here. gestures (detailed below) and predefined gesture profiles.
• AI ACTIONS: accesses that launch functions of IA as a prompt generator or ChatGPT, ideal for quickly opening or invoking these tools.
• SMART ACTIONS: The Smart Actions you have created in the admin tab. You can add new smart actions from this same section and automate them. sequences frequent.
• OTHER ACTIONS: this is where macros and system shortcuts (e.g. volume controls, playback, window management, etc.). It is one of the key categories for multimedia control.

Keyboard shortcuts: capture combinations for any action

If you choose the option Keyboard shortcut, a keylogging window will open. You can capture anything from a single key to combinations like Ctrl+C; this is useful for duplicating a keystroke you've already mastered with your Logitech and turning it into a shortcut. dedicated key.

Practical steps: Select Keyboard Shortcut and you will see a cursor next to the phrase “Press the key combination.” If you see something other than None, press the X to clear and then enter your combination. When you want to change an existing shortcut, repeat the process of deleting with the X and save the new combination.

Gestures: Speed ​​up your flow with mouse or touchpad movements

Gestures make navigation much simpler and are also useful for managing the multimedia. You can assign gestures to any mouse button; holding it down and moving the mouse up, down, left, or right activates actions such as changing songs, changing the volume, or moving between windows. In the touch panels it is also possible to use them.

Choose the Gestures button

If your mouse does not yet have a button with “Gestures” associated, go to the device view, select the button you prefer and assign the action to it. GesturesThis action is usually in the “I RECOMMEND” category, which makes it easier to locate.

Once you select the gesture button, you will be able to choose a preconfigured profile (with pre-defined actions for all four directions and clicking) or scroll down to the "Custom" option to create your own gesture scheme. Switching between profiles is instant.

To activate a gesture, hold the gesture button and drag in the configured direction. This way, each direction and click are assigned its own concrete action, with instant response.

Examples of gesture profiles (desktops and multimedia)

• Virtual Desktop Profile: Hold the Gestures button and move the mouse to the hand to switch to the desktop adjacent to that side. If you just tap the button (short click), it opens the Task view to view running desktops and apps.
• media controls: holding the button, moves to the left or right for Previous or Next Track; move up or down to increase or decrease the volume. A short touch on the button activates Play / Pause.

Custom gestures

When you choose “Custom,” you’ll see five boxes (click and four directions with hold). Click any of them, e.g. HOLD + MOVE LEFT, and a detailed window will open with actions for that address.

Assign what you need, or leave the box set to "Do Nothing" if you'd rather save it for later. A practical mapping example might be: Calculator in HOLD + LEFT, Task view in HOLD + RIGHT, Open ChatGPT in HOLD + UP and Emoji menu in HOLD + DOWN; the click, if you wish, you can leave it as Middle button (click).

A good trick is to keep the original click on the same button and use the long press for the gestures: that way you keep the normal click and, when holding down, you access all the gestural actions.

Macros with Logitech Software: When It Makes Sense to Use G Hub

In addition to Options+, Logitech offers software for creating and editing macros, like G HUB (very common in gaming peripherals). Although macros are associated with competitive gaming, nowadays they are used for almost everything: opening apps, muting the microphone, launching step-by-step actions or inserting text and emojis.

The brand has offered several programs over the years and currently has several options for newer products. In this context, the software route is often the most convenient due to its reinforcement. visual, especially if you start customizing now.

Creating macros with Logitech G Hub (practical example)

In the case of G HUB, when you open your keyboard (for example, a G Pro X) you will see tabs like LightSync, Assignments y Game modeThe macros section is under Assignments > Macros, where on the right appears the panel with the keys available to assign.

Select a key, such as F1. If it doesn't have a macro, you'll see options such as disabling the key or leaving its behavior unchanged. default. Click “Create new macro” to begin and choose the type:

• Without repetition: The macro is launched once per keystroke.
• Repeat during pressing: repeats in a loop while you hold the key down.
• Alternate: the macro continues to run until you press the key again (activate/deactivate).
• Sequence: allows you to define an action when pressing, another when holding and a third when release.

When you press “Start Now”, the list of available actions to build the macro will appear: “Record keystrokes” (captures combinations), “Text and emojis”, “Action” (integrations like Overwolf, Discord or OBS), “Application Startup”, “System” (mouse, multimedia, audio, etc.) and “Delay” to insert pauses in milliseconds.

Typical example: muting yourself on Discord with a keystroke. The flow would be something like “Start Now > Action > Discord > Mute Me > Record Keystrokes > F1 > Save”, leaving the shortcut bound to F1 And that's it. Before saving, you can open "Macro Options" to set the color, duration, or display trigger keys.

Another example: opening PaintTool SAI by pressing F2. In that case, you replace “Action” with “Start of application” and point to the executable. When you're done defining the macro, drag it over the key/button in the panel to assign it.

Profiles by game or app and community

G HUB also allows profiles by game or app. From the main menu, selecting the active profile (highlighted in blue) takes you to a gallery of automatically detected games and programs, where you can “Add Game or App.”

Additionally, you can add a profile created by you or other users, with the option “Explore now” to enter the gallery and download community configurations. If you need a reference, there's video footage like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn6DVUJEfgw, which is useful for seeing the process in action.

On-the-Fly Macros and Physical Key Limits

If your keyboard is more basic, it may not have dedicated software and you may need to record macros. On the FlyThis feature is usually described in the model's manual or on the website, and while useful, it often offers less flexibility than the software.

As for the available keys, some models have dedicated keys for macros, while others only allow you to assign them to certain groups (e.g., F1–F12). There is also a limit to the number of macros you can save: in many cases, it is around 5 or 6 keys, although it depends on the model.

Where your actions and macros are saved

It is important to decide where the configurations you create are stored. The ideal option is a keyboard with integrated memory (usually indicated on the product box or website), which often allows multiple profiles locally and you can choose between them when you need them.

If there's no onboard storage, the save may reside on your computer or even in the cloud (depending on the software and ecosystem). If you're moving between computers, the local storage on your keyboard is the best option. best alternative, although it is not always present in mid-ranges.