Alphabet keys
The letters of the alphabet and some punctuation marks are in these three rows.
The order of the keys is called QWERTY from the order of the keys on the top row.
This arrangement of the letters was inherited from the typewriter. It is not the most efficient layout.
With the first typewriters, the typists had trouble with the mechanical keys jamming each other because the typists could strike the keys faster than the keys could get out of each others' way. So the letters were arranged to slow down the typists' speed. Now that electric typewriters and computer keyboards no longer have mechanical keys, a more efficient layout could be used. But so many people are familiar and skilled with the old way that it doesn't seem likely that the layout will change.
Alt
The Alt key doesn't do anything by itself. But if you hold it down while pressing another key, the effect of that key may be different from usual. Exactly what will happen will depend on what program is running at the time.
Arrow keys
These four keys are used to move the cursor on the screen. The up and down arrows move the cursor up or down one line. The left and right arrows move the cursor one character.
Backspace
The Backspace key erases the character on the left of the cursor and moves the cursor that direction, too.
Caps Lock
When the Caps Lock key is on, pressing any alphabetic key will result in an upper case (capital) letter. The number and symbol keys are not affected, however. Watch out - this is different from typewriters.
Control
The Control key does nothing all by itself. It must be pressed in combination with other keys. When used in combination, the Control key changes the normal effect of a key. Exactly what will happen depends on the software in use at the time.
Delete
The Delete key is used to erase the character just to the right of the cursor. Any text beyond the erased character is moved to the left.
End
The End key is a navigation key. It will send the cursor to the end of the current line.
Enter
The Enter key is used in several ways. In word processing, it acts like the Return key on a typewriter by starting a new line. It is also used in place of a mouse click with buttons and drop-down menus.
Escape
The Escape key is used to cancel actions in progress before they finish. It is also used to close certain dialog boxes.
Function keys
The Function keys are numbered F1, F2, F3,....F12. These are programmable keys. That is, programs can assign actions to these keys. So the same key might produce different results in different programs.
Some of the function keys are becoming more standardized as to what they do. For example, F1 is most often used to access the Help file for a program.
Home
The Home key is a navigation key for the cursor. It will move the cursor to the beginning of the current line.
Insert
The Insert key is a toggle key. That is, repeatedly pressing it will alternate between two effects:
1. typing overtypes characters already there
2. typing inserts characters in between the characters that are already there.
Some programs have an indicator on screen to show you which effect is current. But not all are as friendly.
Numeric keypad
When the Num Lock key is on, these keys are used to enter numbers as with an adding machine.
When the Num Lock key is off, the keys act as navigation keys using the alternate markings on each key.
Minus
When Num Lock is on, the Minus key performs subtraction on the numbers entered.
When Num Lock is off, the Minus key will type a hyphen like this -.
Number/Symbol keys
On this row of keys you will see two characters, one at the top of the key and one at the bottom. The upper character is a symbol and is accessed by holding the Shift key down while pressing the key.
Numbers can also be typed from the Numeric Keypad.
Num Lock
When Num Lock is on, the Numeric Keypad responds with numbers, as an adding machine.
When Num lock is off, the Numeric Keypad responds as navigation keys using the alternate markings on the keys.
Page Down
The Page Down key is a navigation key which will drop the displayed area down the page one screen's worth . It doesn't necessarily move a whole literal page at a time. That would depend on the height of a page.
Page Up
The Page Up key is a navigation key which will move the cursor up the displayed area one screen's worth. It does not usually move a literal page at a time. That would depend on the height of a page.
Pause
The Pause key is little used under Windows. Under DOS it is used to halt actions in progress, often so that messages on the screen can be read before they scroll off the screen.
Plus
When Num Lock is on, this key performs addition.
When Num Lock is off, this key prints a +.
Print Screen
The Print Screen key is more useful under DOS than under Windows. Under DOS pressing the Print Screen key immediately sends the contents of the screen to the printer.
Under Windows pressing the Print Screen key sends a copy of the screen to the Clipboard. You must then paste to an appropriate program and print from there.
Scroll Lock
The Scroll Lock key is more useful under DOS where pressing it will stop text on the screen from scrolling off the top of the screen. This gives you time to read or print it before continuing.
Shift
The Shift key is used in combination with the alphabetic keys to get upper case.
With a numeric/symbol key using the Shift key will give the character at the top of the key.
The Shift key can be used in combination with the Alt and Control keys to change the effects of another key.
Slash
When Num Lock is on, the Slash key acts as a division sign on the numbers entered.
When Num lock is off, the Slash key types a /.
Spacebar
The Spacebar is used to enter blank spaces in text. Sometimes it can also be used instead of a mouse click on buttons.
Tab
The Tab key is used to move the cursor over to the right to a pre-set point. This is especially used in word processing to line up text vertically.
Times
When Num Lock is on, the Times key acts as a multiplication sign on the numbers entered.
When Num Lock is off, the Times key types a *.
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3 - Input:
Keyboard
Click on a key or keyboard section in the picture below. You'll be moved to the information about each section or key. Use the
Return to Top arrow to come back to the picture.
