If you have used a computer, then logically you have also used a keyboard. And if so, surely you have seen and probably also used its function keys.
These are the F1, F2 through F12 keys found on the top row of most keyboards. While you probably know what some of these keys do, there could be a few F’s whose purpose you don’t know.
Unless you have witnessed the evolution of computers since their inception, you probably don’t know why they were invented and what for.
Each function key is built to perform a specific task, but may vary depending on the operating system and the type of program you are using at the time. Few know how it really works and how much time it saves us. Some of these you will have used, others surely not.
In today’s article, we will share a bit of knowledge with you, about the purpose of these keyboard function keys, or simply called: the F keys.
A brief history of the function keys (F1 to F12)
Today, when we talk about function keys in Spanish, we immediately think of a series of keys found on our computer keyboards. However, this has not always been the case, since before the arrival of computers, there were typewriters.
They were similar to keyboards and always included letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and other symbols. Now, a key aspect was the fact that they also had some function keys.
They were called F1, F2, F3, F4 and so on and could be individually programmed to perform a certain action. In addition, they have not always been at the top of the keyboard, since, depending on the manufacturer, they were positioned in one place or another.
The first IBM qwerty keyboards (most widely used models), used to have 10 or 12 function keys, built either on the right side, arranged in three blocks, each with 4 keys, or on the left side, placed in two groups, each with 5 keys.
It would be later when the company would change these keys to the top and the number keys to the right. Most likely, the keyboard you use now still uses this same layout.
What do the function keys do on Windows and macOS computers?
F1:
- Almost all programs use this key to open the Help and Support window on our screen.
- F1 with the Windows key will display the Windows Help and Support screen.
- Enter the BIOS setup when the computer is booting up.
F2:
- Most Spanish you have used it to quickly rename files or folders or icons.
- Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens the document window in Microsoft Office.
- Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Office.
- Alt + F2 opens the “Save As” window in Microsoft Excel.
F3:
- F3 on your keyboard QWERTY It is used to open the search window to find files and folders.
- In MSDOS or at the Windows command prompt, F3 will repeat the last command.
- In most browsers, F3 is used to open the search bar.
- In Microsoft Word, Shift + F3 changes text from uppercase to lowercase or all caps.
F4:
- The most common is to use Alt + F4 to close the current page or program window. If none are open, it launches the close dialog on your screen.
- Ctrl + F4 closes the active window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows.
- It will open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
- Press F4 to repeat the last action performed in Microsoft Word.
F5:
- In all current Internet browsers, pressing F5 refreshes or reloads the page or document window.
- Ctrl + F5 forces a full refresh of the web page, clearing the cache and re-downloading the entire content of the page.
- It also starts the PowerPoint slide show.
F6:
- Move your cursor to 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 like Word, Outlook, etc.
- At the Windows command prompt, press F7 to see a history of all commands entered in that window.
F8:
- Holding down the F8 key during the Windows boot process enters safe mode.
- Shows a thumbnail image of all workspaces on MacOS.
F9:
- Update the document in Microsoft Word.
- Send and receive emails in Microsoft Outlook.
F10:
- In many programs, Shift + F10 opens the menu window, equivalent to right clicking.
- It is sometimes used to enter the CMOS setup.
- With MacOS 10.3 or later, shows all open windows for the active program.
F11:
- It is used to switch in and out of full screen mode in all current browsers.
- Ctrl + F11 when the computer is booting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
F12:
- Opens the Save As window in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl + F12 opens a document in Word.
- Shift + F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (just like Ctrl + S).
- Opens and closes the developer tools in most browsers.
Highlight a curious aspect and it is that, on earlier IBM keyboards, there were also keys from F13 to F24. However, on newer Apple keyboards, they do still have some features like Print Screen, Scroll Lock, or Pause.
The keys F16, F17, F18 and F19, on these keyboards, are above the numeric section.
On some small keyboards and laptops, the F keys may have a specific function, such as changing the screen brightness, volume, or other device-specific functions. On these keyboards, there is an Fn key that you can hold down to change the function of the F key.
In a nutshell, Fn key is used together with other, usually other function keys (F1, F2, F3, up to F12), and modifies 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 audio volume in Windows.
- Fn together with the F5, F6 or F7 keys will allow you to control the way media files are played (they will act as rewind/previous, play/pause and forward/next).
- The Fn key together 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 inbox.
- Fn + F11 will allow you to open the Computer.
- With Fn + F12 you can take a screenshot.
With all this, you may or may not use the F keys often. Maybe you like them, or maybe you don’t. But regardless of 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.