Function Keys Shortcuts

Function Keys Shortcuts (F1 - F12)

(Function Keys)

F1

• It is used to open the help window in almost all programs.
• Also used to enter BIOS or CMOS Some computers allow you to enter BIOS setup using different keys like F2, F10, Delete, Esc.
• Pressing Window + F1 will open the Microsoft Windows Help and Support Center.

F2

• In Microsoft Windows, it is used to rename an icon, file, or folder that the user selects.
• In Microsoft Excel, the F2 key allows you to edit the selected cell in the Excel sheet.
• In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl+F2 will open the print preview window and Alt+Ctrl+F2 will open the new file or document.
• In addition, it is also used to enter the CMOS setup.

F3

• It is mainly used to open a search function for many programs.
• At the MS-DOS or Windows command line, it gives users the option to repeat the last command entered.
• In Microsoft Word, if you press Shift + F3, it allows you to change the selected text from uppercase to lowercase or a capital letter at the beginning of each word.
• In Microsoft Outlook, if you press the Windows key + F3, the advanced search window will open.
• Additionally, it is also used to open Mission Control on an Apple computer.

F4

• Its use is to open the search window in Windows 95 to XP.
• It is used to open the address bar in Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer.
• In Microsoft Word, it allows you to repeat the last action performed. For example, if you want to retype the last word or sentence multiple times, you can use this key.
• If you press Alt+F4, it will close the currently open window in Microsoft Windows. In addition, it is also used to shut down the system, for that you need to press Alt+F4 on the desktop screen, you will see a dialog, then click the OK button, and the system will shut down.

F5

• It is mainly used to refresh or reload the document page or window.
• If you press Ctrl + F5 or Shift + F5 in a web browser, it completely refreshes the web page, clears the cache, and re-downloads the entire content of the web page.
• Gives users the option to access the Find, Replace, and Go To dialog box in Microsoft Word.
• In addition, it is also used to start the slideshow in PowerPoint.

F6

• It helps users to move the cursor to the address bar in Internet browsers like Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.
• In Microsoft Word, pressing Ctrl+Shift+F6 allows you to switch between other open Word documents.
• Also, reduce the laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F7

• It is commonly used to check the spelling and grammar of a document in Microsoft programs like Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
• If you press Shift+F7, it allows you to check the thesaurus of the selected word in Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint.
• Gives users the option to enable Caret Browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
• Also used to increase the laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F8

• The F8 function key allows users to enter the Windows boot menu, usually used to access Windows safe mode.
• Some computers also use it to access the Windows recovery system, but it may require a Windows installation CD.
• Additionally, it displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces on macOS.

F9

• It is used to send and receive emails in Microsoft Outlook.
• It is also used to update documents in Microsoft Word.
• Its use is to access the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
• Helps reduce screen brightness on some laptops.
• Gives users the option to display a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace on macOS 10.3 or later.
• On the Apple computer, pressing the Fn and F9 keys together will open Mission Control.

F10

• Allows you to activate the menu bar of an open application in Microsoft Windows.
• Shift+F10 is used to open right-click options on a selected word, icon, file, or Internet link.
• Allows users to access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
• Gives users the option to enter the CMOS setup on some computers.
• It is also used to increase screen brightness on some laptops.
• In macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open windows for the active program.

F11

• It is used to enable and disable full-screen mode in all modern internet browsers.
• Allows users the option to access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
• In macOS 10.4 or later, it's used to hide all open windows and show the desktop.

F12

• It is used to open the Save As option where you can save a file with a different name in Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
• By pressing Ctrl+F12, you can open a file or document in Word, Excel, etc.
• Shift+F12 is used to save a file in Microsoft Word like we do use Ctrl+S.
• If you press Ctrl+Shift+F12 in Microsoft Word, it will open the print preview window of a document or file like we do with Ctrl+P.
• F12 is also used to open a firebug or browser debugging tool.
• On Apple computer 10.4 or later, F12 is used to show or hide the dashboard.
• Also, it provides a list of bootable devices on a computer at startup. You can choose that device from the list, which you have connected to your PC to boot, such as a hard drive, DVD or CD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network.