On a computer, almost all processes and commands can be controlled with the mouse. However, in most cases, you can perform the same actions with the keyboard in a simpler and faster way . A good example is the function keys, F1 through F12. The F keys, located on the top row of the keyboard, offer a variety of useful functions to help you work faster..
Function keys are found in the top row of Windows and Mac keyboards.
On some Windows keyboards, and even more frequently on Macs, the function keys are also used to control music, sound volume, and screen brightness. Since these functions are used more often than the original functions of the function keys, you will need to press the Fn key to activate the function keys.
On both Mac and Windows, the function keys can be activated without the Fn key. On Mac, you can find the setting under? Keyboard? , in the? System Preferences ?. In Windows, restart the PC and press the displayed key before starting to open the BIOS / UEFI and thus activate the corresponding function from there..
Briefly pressing an F key activates individual functions that would otherwise require several clicks or key combinations. For this reason, it is worth looking at the properties of each function key in detail. In Mac OS, the function keys are used rarely, since you can access commands by other key combinations, so in the following sections discuss only the function keys in Windows.
Suppose you are working with an Excel table and you want to use the AND function in Excel. Just press the F1 key to open the Excel help menu and see how to use this function. This shortcut to help also works with other programs, which makes the F1 function key particularly useful for beginners. In Office programs, it can be used in combination with the Ctrl key to show or hide the menu bar..
To rename the file you can save right click option to search? Rename ?: Just click on the file or folder and press F2. Then the text field will open and you can type the new name directly.
Are you in a website browser and want to search for a certain keyword? Press the F3 function key to open the search field . It is also activated immediately so you can enter the term directly.
In Microsoft Word you can use the combination of the Shift and F3 keys to make a lowercase word start with a capital letter. Press both keys again to capitalize the entire word.
The F4 key also has several functions. By itself, it takes you directly to the address bar of the Internet Explorer browser. In combination with the Alt key, it closes the active window. However, it is in Word where the F4 key is more useful: a pressing this function key, the last action is repeated as often as you want.
The F5 key has a different function depending on the program. In the browser, for example, reload the current window; In Excel or Word, open "Find and Replace", and in PowerPoint start a slide show.
With the F6 key it is not necessary to click in the browser's address bar and select the full URL to access a new page. Just click this function key to enter a new URL. In Microsoft Word and in combination with the Ctrl key, it allows access to all active documents.
In some browsers, like Google Chrome, you can use the F6 key to switch between the address bar and bookmarks, so you may need to press the F6 key multiple times to get to the address bar.
The F7 key only works in combination with other keys, and some of its uses are especially useful for Word users. For example, pressing the Alt and F7 keys starts the spelling and grammar check of all text. Also, the combination of Shift and F7 automatically opens the Thesaurus and suggests useful synonyms for the last written word or any selected word.
Are you having trouble starting Windows? Just before the Windows logo appears when you start your computer, press the F8 key. The computer will then start up in safe mode.
In Microsoft Excel you can use the F8 key to select an entire range between two selected cells.
Like the F7 key, the F9 key only works in combination with other keys. In Office programs, for example, the Ctrl + F9 keys insert square brackets.
To access the browser menu bar, press the F10 key. Together with the Shift key, it allows you to right-click without using the mouse. In Word, you can combine F10 with the Ctrl key to maximize or minimize a window.
The F11 key activates the browser's full-screen mode. By pressing the function key again, you return to the view with the menu bar.
In Microsoft Excel, use the Shift and F11 keys to quickly create a table in a new tab.
Although the F12 function key only works in Office programs, it is very useful in them. Press the F12 key to open the "Save As" menu. To save , combine it with the Shift key. You can open a saved document by holding down the Ctrl key and pressing F12.