function keys : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

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function keys

There are a row of keys across the top or down the left hand side of the keyboard. They are labeled F1 F2 .. F10 and sometimes F11 and F12. Unfortunately Microsoft never got around to assigning any standard meaning to these keys. They do different things in different programs. In one, F7 might mean print and another, F7 might mean do a spell check.

F1 is usually Help.
F3 is usually Repeat Search.
Alt-F4 (Hold down Alt, then tap F4, then let go of Alt) is usually Close.
Ctrl-F6 is usually Next Document.
F7 (possibly combined with Shift, Ctrl or Alt) is usually Spell Check.

Programs such as MS Word For Windows get carried away and assign meanings to function key combinations such as: F1, Shift-F1, Ctrl-F1, Alt-F1, Ctrl-Shift-F1 arrgh! These are almost impossible to remember without a template or cheat sheet.

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