Updated: 05/01/2023 by Computer Hope
The F7 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key is used to spell check a document. As mentioned below, F7 also has other uses depending on the computer and program.
- How to use the F7 key.
- Where is the F7 key used?
- The secondary function of the F7.
- Where is the F7 key on my smartphone or tablet?
- Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
- Related information.
- Computer keyboard shortcuts.
How to use the F7 key
Open the program that uses the key and press F7. If the F7 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F7.
If when pressing the F7 key, the secondary function is performed (e.g., mutes audio), the function keys are the secondary function. For example, on an Apple computer, to press F7, hold down fn, and press F7.
Note
If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.
Information about the secondary function is found in the below secondary function of the F7 section.
Note
If the F7 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some keys on my computer keyboard aren't working.
Where is the F7 key used?
The following list is all the locations where the F7 key can be used with information about its use.
- Microsoft products
- Internet browsers
- Adobe Photoshop
- Windows command line
Microsoft products
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.
Internet browsers
Turns on Caret Browsing in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Adobe Photoshop
Open the Layers panel in Adobe Photoshop.
Windows command line
In the Windows command line, press F7 to view the history of all the commands entered in that window.
The secondary function of the F7
Each function key has two functions for a laptop and desktop computer keyboard with the Fn key. Unfortunately, there's no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below are keyboards and their secondary function for the F7 key.
- Apple keyboard F7 key
- Cooler Master keyboard F7 key
- Dell keyboard F7 key
- HP (Hewlett-Packard) keyboard F7 key
- Lenovo ThinkPad F7 key
- Logitech keyboard F7 key
- Microsoft Surface F7 key
Apple keyboard F7 key
The default F7 key primary function on Apple keyboards is to rewind in media players. Pressing fn+F7 for the secondary function is F7.
Cooler Master keyboard F7 key
On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F7 secondary function is one of the following options depending on the model.
- With a single-color keyboard backlight keyboard, FN+F7 skips to the previous audio track or song in supported programs (e.g., Windows Media Player).
- With a multiple backlight colors (RGB) keyboard, FN+F7 adjusts the speed of a lighting effect.
Dell keyboard F7 key
The F7 key secondary function on Dell laptop keyboards is to mute and unmute the volume.
HP (Hewlett-Packard) keyboard F7 key
On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with a screen or box symbol on the F7 key, the secondary F7 function turns down the audio.
Lenovo ThinkPad F7 key
On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with two boxes or a projector, the F7 key secondary function switches between the screen and a projector or other display.
Logitech keyboard F7 key
On Logitech keyboards with a sun on the key, the F7 key adjusts the backlight keyboard brightness. Logitech keyboards with a triangle pointing to the right and two lines play and pause in media players.
Microsoft Surface F7 key
On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F7 key secondary function adjusts the keyboard backlight.
Where is the F7 key on my smartphone or tablet?
Smartphones and tablets don't have keyboards like you'd find on a desktop and laptop and therefore don't have an F7 key.
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.
