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What are the F1 through F12 keys?
Updated: 06/30/2020 by Computer Hope
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 running program. They may be combined with the Alt or Ctrl keys.
On laptop computers
On some smaller keyboards and laptop computers the F-keys may have a dedicated function such as changing the screen brightness, the volume, or other device-specific functions. On these keyboards, there's a separate Fn key that you can hold down to indicate you want to use the key as a standard function key. For instance, on the MacBook Pro laptop computer, the F12 key's primary function is to increase the audio volume. If this key is pressed while the Fn key is held down, the key registers as F12 and triggers functions configured to use this key.
If you would prefer not to press the Fn key to access your function keys, you can configure the keyboard to treat them as regular function keys in your Control Panel or System Settings.
If your keyboard does not have a row of function keys, they are probably set up as secondary functions on other keys. Look for alternate labels on your keys, or consult your computer's manual for more information.
Below are some of the more common functions of the functions keys for Windows and macOS. As mentioned above, not all programs support these function keys, and the function keys on your keyboard may perform different tasks than those mentioned below. For additional specific shortcut keys and function key examples, please visit our shortcut keys general index.
F1
- Used as the help key in almost every program. Opens a help screen when this key is pressed.
- Enter BIOS setup.
- Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
- Open the Task Pane.
F2
- In Microsoft Windows, renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
- In Microsoft Excel, edits the active cell.
- Alt+Ctrl+F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl+F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
- Rename a selected file or folder.
- Enter BIOS setup.
F3
- Often opens a search feature for many programs, including Microsoft Windows when at the Windows desktop.
- In some programs, after an initial search is performed, F3 finds the next search value.
- In MS-DOS or Windows command line, F3 repeats the last command entered.
- In Microsoft Word Ctrl+F3 lowercases any highlighted text.
- Shift+F3 changes the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lowercase or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
- Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
- In Windows Explorer, start the search function.
- Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.
F4
- Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
- Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
- Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).
- Alt+F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
- Ctrl+F4 closes the open window or tab in the active window in Microsoft Windows.
F5
- In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 refreshes or reloads the page or document window.
- Ctrl+F5 forces a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache and downloading all contents of the page again.
- Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
- Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
- Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.
F6
- Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
- Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
- Reduce laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
F7
- Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
- Shift+F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
- Turns on Caret Browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
- Increase laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).
F8
- Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
- Used by some computers to access the Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.
- Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.
F9
- Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
- Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
- Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
- Reduce laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
- With macOS 10.3 or later, displays a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace.
- Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.
F10
- In Microsoft Windows, activates the menu bar of an open application.
- Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
- Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
- Enter BIOS setup on some computers.
- Increase laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
- With macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program.
F11
- Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
- Ctrl+F11 as the computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
- Pressing F11 by itself accesses the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
- With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the desktop.
F12
- Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl+F12 opens a document in Word.
- Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
- Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
- Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
- Open Firebug or browser debug tool.
- With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
- Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (e.g., hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).
F13 - F15
- On newer Apple keyboards, the F13, F14, and F15 may be shown in place of the Print Screen key, Scroll Lock key, and Pause key.
F16 - F19
- On newer Apple keyboards, the F16, F17, F18, and F19 keys are above the number pad.
F13 - F24
- Early IBM computers also had keyboards with F13 through F24 keys. However, because these keyboards are no longer used, they are not listed on this page.
Additional information
- Computer keyboard keys and explanations.
- Computer keyboard shortcuts.
- See the function keys definition for further information and related links.
- Some of the keys on my computer keyboard aren't working.
- Keyboard help and support.
