What Are Function Keys? Use of Keyboard Function keys (F1 - F12) (2024)

If you are daily user of computer or laptop, then you should know about functions of functions keys present on keyboard. They are very important nowadays.

What are Function Keys on Keyboard?

Function keys are on keyboard which cause operating system to command interpreter or an application to perform certain actions on the screen. There are 12 keys on the keyboard from F1 to F12. All keys are having different functions to perform. If you are using laptop then you have to press Fn key along with other keys from F1 to F12 for use.

Previously, Apple Macintosh computers lacked function keys. Their new keyboards, on the other hand, have F1 through F12 or F1 through F19 keys at the top. Some MacBook models include a Touch Bar, which displays digital function keys when the Fn key is pressed.

How Many Function Keys are on a Keyboard?

F1 through F12 are the function keys on today’s standard PC keyboards. Some customized PC keyboards include 24 function buttons labeled F1 through F24.

F1 through F19 are the function keys on many Apple desktop computer keyboards with a number pad.

Explore our Comprehensive Guide to Computer Shortcut Keys, where we cover a wide range of shortcuts, including Windows, Linux, Excel, Gmail, YouTube, and many more.

Where are the Function Keys on a Laptop?

A function key row is often found as the top row of keys on a laptop keyboard. However, due to space constraints, some smaller laptops feature a reduced keyboard and no function key row. On these tiny laptops, the function keys are frequently supplementary functions on keys in another row.

If your laptop lacks a function key row, seek for keys that have the letters F1 through F12 printed on them as a supplementary function. To use the F1-F12 secondary functions on those keys, press Fn + the key with the matching F1-F12 secondary function.

How to enable Fn Keys to use with Function Keys ?

Start laptop, then go to Bios setting and then move your cursor to system configuration. You will find option of actions key mode and on same screen, you will get information about how to disable or enable Fn key. If you will not enable Fn key, then also function keys will work but not in manner they are made to. So, enabling Fn key is good idea, and pressing Fn key with function keys will work better together. Keys from F1 to F12 are also known as Action Keys.

Use of Keyboard Function Keys (F1 – F12)

One by one, we will get to know about functions of these keys.

F1 Key

F1 key is used to open help center. If you are using keyboard of your computer, then only pressing F1 will work, but if you are using your laptop keyboard then pressing Function key (FN) with F1 will open help center. With this help center, if you want to know about any software or application or anything you can get help from there.

F2 Key

F2 key is used to rename folder or file. If you want to change name of folder, then you don’t have to right-click on it, and then find rename option. You can simply click F2, and it will work properly. This function key will save time of use.

Alt + Ctrl + F2 command opens document window in Microsoft Office. In Microsoft office Ctrl + F2 displays print preview window. In Microsoft excel Alt + F2 opens ‘Save As’ window. Shift + F2 add comment box in Microsoft Excel.

F3 Key

F3 key is used to search application on computer or laptop. If you are doing it on your laptop, then pressing function key (FN) and F3 together will work. It will take you to search box where you can search application.

Another use of F3 is that if you want to search text while using web browser, then also this key is used to search text. In Microsoft Word, Shift + F3 transform text from upper case to lower case or all capital letters.

F4 Key

F4 key does not work alone. Pressing only F4 will not work whether it is on computer or laptop. Pressing Alt + F4 together works to close current application which is open on screen. Also, pressing both keys together while on desktop screen, then there shut down, restart option appears.

Alt + F4 used to close current window. If no program is open, it shutdown dialog box. Ctrl + F4 used to close active window.

F5 Key

F5 key is used to refresh screen. When you want to refresh screen, you have to go to desktop screen and then click refresh button, but F5 will simply do this work. Going to web browser, you want to refresh that website or that screen, F5 will refresh that. This will save time of user.

F6 Key

F6 key is used to decrease volume if you are using this on laptop. If you are searching on web browser, and want to jump to any URL, then F6 will work. In Microsoft word, Ctrl + F6 toggles between various documents

F7 Key

F7 key is used basically in MS Office apps like PowerPoint, excel to find grammar mistakes in it. In Microsoft Office, Shift + F7 opens Research window.

F8 Key

F8 key is used to go in safe mode. For example, if you are starting your laptop, then pressing F8 there will help you to go in safe mode. If you are using this key on word, then all text in word will be selected.

F9 Key

F9 key alone has no work in Windows. It is basically used in MS Word with Alt and Shift. In Microsoft Word, Ctrl + F9 and Alt + F9 build mail merge document.

F10 Key

F10 key also does not have any use in Windows. It is used in MS Word with Shift. Pressing these both keys together, shortcut menu appears on screen. Shift + F10 used to open up the menu window, similar to right-click on mouse.

F11 Key

F11 key is used for full screen. If you want to use your browser then open that browser and press F11, for full-screen mode and can be get back to original screen by pressing ESC.

Shift + F11 adds a new sheet in Microsoft Excel, Ctrl + F11 used to add new macro to the workbook. In MS Office program Alt + F11 invokes Microsoft Visual Basic window.

F12 Key

When pressed, without FN key on laptop, then laptop will go in flight mode. F12 key basically does not have any use on computers. It is used in MS Word. When pressed, it automatically shows dialog box to save file.

In MS Office, Shift + Ctrl + F12 open Print window. Ctrl + F12 used to open a document in MS Office

So, these are basic functions of every function key.

FAQs on Function Key on Keyboard

1. What row are the function keys on?

The function keys are located on the function key row, which is located above the number key row and is the uppermost row on a keyboard.

2. Where are the function keys on a compact keyboard?

Compact keyboards with no row of function key use a Mod key to have the number that also work as the function keys. For example, a keyboard with key would press Mod+5 to press F5.

3. What happened when don’t want to hold the Fn key to activate these functions?

There is an option in BIOS, or in software installed on the computer, to allow changing the Fn dn Function Key settings.

4. How do I use the function keys?

On keyboards, there is a Fn or F Lock button that may be toggled on and off. On a laptop, you may need to press and hold this key to activate it. Desktop keyboards commonly have an on/off F Lock key that you don’t have to hold down. When you have the Fn key pressed or toggled on, hit the F1 through F12 key that corresponds to the action you want to do.