Your keyboard has 12 function keys, do you know what they are for?

If you used a computer, then logically you also used keyboard. And if so, then surely you have seen and probably also used its function keys.

These are the keys F1, F2 to F12, which are found on the top row of most keyboards. While you probably know what some of these keys do, there may be a few Fs that you don’t know what they do.

If you have not witnessed the evolution of computers since their inception, you probably do not know why they were invented and for what.

Each function key is designed to perform a specific task, but may vary depending on the operating system and the type of program you are currently using.. Few people know how it actually works and how much time it saves us. Some of them you have probably used, others not.

In today’s article, we will share with you some knowledge about the purpose of these keyboard function keys, or simply called: the F key.

• Brief History of Function Keys (F1 to F12)
• What do function keys do on Windows and macOS computers?

Brief History of Function Keys (F1 to F12)

Today, when we talk about function keys in Spanish, we immediately think of the set of keys on our computer keyboards. However, this was not always the case, since before the advent of computers there were typewriters.

They were similar to keyboards and always included letters, numbers, punctuation, and other symbols. Now the key aspect was the fact that they also had several function keys.

They were called F1, F2, F3, F4 and so on and could be individually programmed to perform a specific action. In addition, they were not always located at the top of the keyboard, as they were located in one place or another, depending on the manufacturer.

The first IBM qwerty keyboards (the most common models) had 10 or 12 function keys built either on the right side, arranged in three blocks of 4 keys each, or on the left side, placed in two groups, each with 5 keys.

Later, the company will move these keys to the top and the number keys to the right. Most likely, the keyboard you are currently using is still using the same layout.

What do function keys do on Windows and macOS computers?

F1:

• Almost all programs use this key to open a help and support window on our screen.
• F1 with the Windows key will display the Windows Help and Support screen.
• Enter the BIOS settings when the computer boots.

F2:

• Most Spanish you used it to quickly rename files, folders or icons.
• Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens a document window in Microsoft Office.
• Ctrl + F2 displays the preview window in Microsoft Office.
• Alt + F2 opens the “Save As” window in Microsoft Excel.

F3:

• F3 on keyboard qwerty It is used to open a search box to search for files and folders.
• On MSDOS or on the Windows command line, F3 will repeat the last command.
• In most browsers, F3 is used to open the search bar.
• In Microsoft Word, the Shift+F3 key combination changes text from uppercase to lowercase or all uppercase.

F4:

• The most common is to use Alt + F4 to close the current page or program window. If none of them are open, it launches a close dialog on your screen.
• Ctrl + F4 closes the active window inside the current active window in Microsoft Windows.
• It will open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
• Press F4 to redo the last action performed in Microsoft Word.

F5:

• In all modern Internet browsers, pressing the F5 key refreshes or reloads the page or document window.
• Ctrl + F5 causes a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache, and reloading all page content.
• It also launches PowerPoint slideshows.

F6:

• Hover over the address bar in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and most other internet browsers.
• Ctrl + F6 allows you to switch between multiple Microsoft Word documents.

F7:

• It is commonly used to check the spelling and grammar of a document in Microsoft programs such as Word, Outlook, etc.
• At the Windows command prompt, press F7 to view the history of all commands entered in this window.

F8:

• Holding down the F8 key while Windows boots up will enter Safe Mode.
• Shows a thumbnail of all workspaces in macOS.

F9:

• Refresh the document in Microsoft Word.
• Send and receive emails in Microsoft Outlook.

F10:

• In many programs, Shift + F10 opens a menu window, which is the equivalent of a right-click.
• Sometimes used to enter CMOS settings.
• macOS 10.3 or later displays all open windows of the active program.

F11:

• It is used to turn full screen mode on and off in all modern browsers.
• Ctrl + F11 at computer boot to access hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.

F12:

• Opens the Save As window in Microsoft Word.
• Ctrl+F12 opens the document in Word.
• Shift + F12 saves a Microsoft Word document (same as Ctrl + S).
• Opens and closes developer tools in most browsers.

Highlight a curious aspect, and this is what earlier IBM keyboards also had F13 to F24 keys. However, new Apple keyboards still have some features like Print Screen, Scroll Lock or Pause.

The F16, F17, F18, and F19 keys on these keyboards are above the numeric section.

On some smaller keyboards and laptops, the F-keys can perform a specific function, such as changing screen brightness, volume, or other device-specific functions. These keyboards have an Fn key that you can hold down to change the function of the F key.

In a nutshell, The Fn key is used in conjunction with other, usually other, function keys (F1, F2, F3, up to F12) and changes their behavior.

We give you some examples:

• The Fn key, along with the F1, F2, F3, and F4 keys, will allow you to control the sound volume in Windows.
• Fn along with the F5, F6 or F7 keys will allow you to control how media files are played (they will act as rewind/rewind, play/pause and forward/next).
• The Fn key along with the F9 key will allow you to record macros (Excel) on the fly.
• Fn + F10 will open (in the case of my keyboard) your Microsoft Outlook mailbox.
• Fn + F11 will let you open the computer.
• Fn+F12 can be used to take a screenshot.

With all this, you may or may not use the F-keys frequently. Maybe you like them, maybe you don’t. But no matter what you think of them, you have to admit that function keys can be useful if you learn how they work and what they do.