F1 to F12: what are these keys used for? (2024)

Our computers, or the vast majority of them, have on their top row a series of keys that almost nobody uses. And yet, they can save us a lot of time, or at least they did in the early days of computing. These are the 12 keys from F1 to F12.

Today, many of the functions they perform coexist with modern user interfaces, easier or more intuitive, which gradually condemn them to a more decorative or sentimental function. We use the mouse more than keyboard shortcuts. But they can still save you a lot of time if you get used to using them.

This is the case of the F5 key, the most famous and most used of all, which we can use to refresh our computer, that is, when we are impatient because some Internet page does not load, or does not load at the speed we want. We also tell you what the other 11 keys above are for.

F1 to F12: what are these keys used for? (1)

F1

F1Opens the help menu
Ctrl +F1Show/hide menu options in Excell and Word
F1 in ChromeOpen Chrome support

F2

F2Rename a file in Windows Explorer
F2Edit the active cell in Microsoft Excel
Ctrl + F2Shows a print preview in Word
Alt + Ctrl + F2Open the document library in Microsoft Office

F3

F3Opens the search function
Shift + F3]Allows you to change the font state in Word, between upper and lower case letters.

F4

Alt + F4Closes the active window

F5

F5Refresh the Internet browser or the
F5Start the slide show in PowerPoint
F5Opens “Find and Replace” in Microsoft Office and other programs.
Ctrl + F5Refresh the browser, also clearing the cache memory.

F6

Ctrl + Shift + F6Allows you to easily switch between Word documents
F6Places the cursor in the browser’s address bar
F6Page turning in a split screen in Microsoft Word

F7

F7Performs a spelling and grammar check in Word.
Shift + F7Open the thesaurus

F8

F8Select text in Word
F8 when turning on the computerOpens in fail-safe mode

F9

F9Update a Word document
F9Send or receive e-mails in Outlook
F9Recalculate formulas in Excel
F9Opening a presentation in Corel Draw as if it were Microsoft PowerPoint

F10

Ctrl + F10Maximize the window in Microsoft Word
Shift + F10Does the same as right click

F11

F11Activates/deactivates the “full screen” mode.
Shift + F11Add a new spreadsheet in Excel

F12

F12Open “Save As” in Microsoft Word
Ctrl + F12Open a Word document
Shift + F12Save a Word document
Ctrl + Shift + F12Print a Word document
F1 to F12: what are these keys used for? (2024)

FAQs

F1 to F12: what are these keys used for? ›

The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys with a special function defined by the operating system or the active program. In certain instances, they may be combined with Alt

Alt
The Alt key Alt (pronounced /ɔːlt/ AWLT or /ʌlt/ ULT) on a computer keyboard is used to change (alternate) the function of other pressed keys. Thus, the Alt key is a modifier key, used in a similar fashion to the Shift key.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Alt_key
or Ctrl keys.

What do keyboard F1 to F12 function keys do? ›

F1 – Opens the Help screen for almost every program. F2 – Allows you to rename a selected file or folder. F3 – Opens a search feature for an application that is active at the moment. F4 – Alt + F4 closes the active window.

What are the 7 special keys in a keyboard? ›

Control keys also include Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up, Page Down, Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc). Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter, Shift, Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.

What are the F-keys on a keyboard for? ›

Function keys work by executing a command or an application when they are pressed. They can be programmed to run programs, open documents, change system settings and perform other types of tasks quickly and easily. For example, pressing F2 might open your word processor or pressing F5 may refresh a web page.

What are the F1 F2 F3 keys called? ›

Function keys.

The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs from program to program.

What is F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, f10, F11, F12 in? ›

The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys that have a special function defined by the operating system, or by a currently running program.

What is the F7 key used for? ›

The F7 function key is used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, and other Office products. Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the highlighted word.

What are the functions of Ctrl + A to Z? ›

Here are some of the most commonly used Shortcut keys in Windows:
  • Ctrl + C: Copy.
  • Ctrl + X: Cut.
  • Ctrl + V: Paste.
  • Ctrl + Z: Undo.
  • Ctrl + Y: Redo.
  • Ctrl + A: Select All.
  • Ctrl + F: Find.
  • Ctrl + S: Save.
3 days ago

What is the use of the F10 key? ›

F10: Accesses the main menu bar of the program you're in and, when used in combination with the “shift” key, opens the menu that appears when you right-click on the mouse.

What are keyboard key codes? ›

Key codes are numeric values that correspond to physical keys on the keyboard but do not necessarily correspond to a particular character.

What does the F8 key do? ›

What does the F8 key do in Windows operating systems? The F8 key, when pressed during the boot process, allows access to the advanced boot options menu in Windows. This menu provides various troubleshooting and startup options, such as safe mode, last known good configuration, and system restore.

What is the F2 key used for? ›

F2 – This key allows you to change the name of a specific file or folder. F3 – Launches a search function for a currently active application. F4 – Alt + F4 closes the currently active window. F5 – Refreshes or reloads the page or document window.

What does the F6 key do? ›

In most web browsers, pressing the F6 key allows you to quickly move the focus to the address bar. This means that you can start typing a new uniform resource locator (URL) or search query without needing to use your mouse to click on the address bar. It's a convenient shortcut for faster browsing.

What does F12 do? ›

In general, F12 serves as a shortcut to open developer tools in most web browsers. Additionally, F12 can be used for other purposes in different applications, like opening the "Save As" dialog box in Microsoft Office programs.

What does F9 do? ›

In some programming environments, F9 is used as a key to compile or run a program. For instance, in Visual Basic 6, F9 is used to start or stop the debugger. Also, in some coding languages, such as Python and Lua, F9 can be used to execute or run the current script or file.

What does F11 do? ›

In web browsers like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, pressing F11 toggles the full-screen mode, allowing you to expand the browser window to fill the entire screen and hide other elements of the operating system.

What are 20 shortcut keys? ›

Windows keyboard shortcuts
  • Copy: Ctrl + C.
  • Cut: Ctrl + X.
  • Paste: Ctrl + V.
  • Maximize Window: F11 or Windows logo key + Up arrow.
  • Open Task View: Windows logo key + Tab.
  • Display and hide the desktop: Windows logo key + D.
  • Switch between open apps: Alt + Tab.
  • Open the Quick Link menu: Windows logo key + X.

How do I use F1 to F12 keys on my laptop without pressing Fn? ›

Making F Keys Work without Fn

Find the Fn Lock key on your keyboard—it may say FnLk or have a lock icon. Hold down the Fn key and press Fn Lock. Release your fingers and use the function keys as normal.

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