The keyboard is a very important peripheral device that you connect to your computer. It is what you use to type words, numbers, and characters on a word processor or any program that accepts text input, whether online or offline. The keyboard is the main method that you use to enter information. However, you can also use your keyboard to control your computer. This is through the function keys on your keyboard.
Before you learn more about the function keys on your keyboard, you should know how the keys are organized. There are several groups in which the keyboard keys are divided, namely:
- Typing keys – These are the keys that you use to type and are found on a typewriter. From letters to numbers to punctuations and symbol keys, these typing keys are also known as alphanumeric keys.
- Control keys – Control keys include CTRL, Shift, ALT, ESC, and the Windows logo key. These keys can either be used alone or with the other keys to perform specific actions. For instance, CTRL+C is often equivalent to Copy, while ALT+F4 is for closing a window.
- Navigation keys – The arrow keys, along with the Home, End, Delete, Insert, Page Up, and Page Down buttons are the navigation keys. These aid you in editing and navigating through text or web pages.
- Numeric Keypad – If you often enter numbers on a spreadsheet, for example, you will find the numeric keypad useful. These keys are assembled together in a block that looks like a calculator.
- Function keys – To perform specific tasks, the function keys on your keyboard are included. The FN keys start from F1 to F12. The actions each can do differ from one program to the next.
As mentioned, the function keys on your keyboard have various functions depending on the program in which you use it. Plus, with a combination of other keys, particularly the control keys, their tasks become even more varied. Nevertheless, here are the standard functions of the FN keys:
- F1 for opening the help page of the program you are currently using
- F2 for renaming a file or icon
- F3 for searching on several applications, including web browsers
- F4 for repeating the last action you have performed. This works on Microsoft Word.
- F5 for refreshing a page or any active application you are using
- F6 for moving the cursor straight to the address bar of the web browser. This also works on Windows Explorer.
- F7 for checking spelling errors on Microsoft Word
- F8 for booting into Safe Mode. Hold the key to boot into Safe Mode when you are using Windows operating system.
- F9 key does not have a specific function and can be assigned to do what you want it to accomplish.
- F10 for activating the menu bar on some programs
- F11 for switching to full screen on several programs, including your web browser
- F12 for saving documents on MS Word. When used on a browser, it opens the developer tools.
The function keys on your keyboard are useful parts of the keyboard that lets you perform various tasks. Understanding them can help you master your computer, so you can use it more effectively.
