Keyboard key assignment description. Using keyboard shortcuts. General purpose of special keys

Not every user knows what all the keys on a PC keyboard are for. But among them there are many necessary and unused buttons. To learn how to use them more effectively, you should know the purpose of the keyboard keys and be able to use them at the right time.

When first starting to use a computer, a novice user does not think about what additional keys are needed for, and then completely forgets about them, using only those that allow typing. But additional buttons and their combinations can save time and, in some cases, money.

All keys are divided into 7 groups, each of which allows you to speed up your computer work and make the process more efficient. Thanks to the use of additional buttons, the user quickly types text, compiles a report, or simply switches between windows.

Depending on their functions, the keys are divided into groups:

1. Function keys (F1-F12) are designed to perform special tasks and, when pressed again, cancel the triggered action. For example, F1 is pressed to open help for the program whose window is active at the time of pressing. In games, the key performs the function assigned to it in the settings.

2. Alphanumeric needed to enter numbers, keys, punctuation marks and other symbols used when working on a PC.

3. Control keys, which include HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE DOWN, DELETE and INSERT.

4. Cursor keys are used to move the cursor while working in text editing programs, in a browser, or when selecting files on a computer.

5. Control keys (modifiers) (Alt, Ctrl, Win, Caps Lock, Fn), most often used in combination with each other or with other buttons on the keyboard.

6. Number keys are needed to quickly enter numbers, so they are often used when drawing up reports or working with a calculator.

7. Editing keys (deleting information) – Backspace, Delete.

The layout of the keys on different keyboards may differ, but they are all located in approximately the same places relative to each other. Additional keys can also be built in to mute the sound, increase or decrease the volume, and quickly go to the mailbox.

Let's take a closer look at the purpose of the computer keyboard keys with their full description.

Each key can perform one or more functions:

  • Spacebar located at the bottom of the keyboard and is the largest. When typing, it makes a space between words, and when a fragment of text is selected, it replaces it with a space, which speeds up work in a text editor. In an Internet browser, it performs the scroll-down function.
  • Esc when pressed, cancels the last action, closes or minimizes open windows.
  • Print Screen creates a screenshot that is inserted into text and graphic editors. The image obtained in this way is called a “screenshot”. The key is also used to print images from the screen.
  • Scroll Lock needed to enable a mode in which you can scroll the page up and down using the cursor keys. But it doesn't work on all computers.
  • Pause/Break pauses the running process, for example, when you boot the computer, you can pause and view system information, but like the previous key described, it does not work on all devices.
  • Insert activates a mode in which characters are entered over the printed text. After pressing, printing occurs over the entered characters, which at this moment begin to be erased. To cancel the action, press the key again.
  • Delete denoted on the keyboard as Del and is needed to delete characters entered in a text editor or selected files. If an action is performed in a text input field, it is deleted to the right of the cursor.
  • Home This is the key that jumps to the beginning of the filled line. If the cursor is at the end of a sentence in a word processor, pressing the specified button will move the cursor in front of the first letter on the line. If you click on an empty line, nothing happens. In the browser, rewinds the page to the beginning (up).
  • End moves the cursor to the end of the line. In the browser, it rewinds the page to the very bottom.
  • Page Up turns the page up. In some media players, pressing a key will play the previous file in the folder.
  • Page Down scrolls the page down, and in the players includes the media file that is next in the playback queue.
  • Backspace is used to remove characters to the left of the cursor in a text editor or in a field intended for entering characters.
  • Tab used to insert a tab character equal to 8 spaces (forms a paragraph, for example in Word). Also used in combination with other keys.
  • Caps Lock switches capital letters to uppercase and vice versa.
  • Shift When pressed simultaneously with a letter, it becomes capitalized. If Caps Lock is on, it will be lowercase.
  • Alt used in several keyboard shortcuts. Together with Shift, it changes the layout to English; if you press Tab at the same time, it will switch to the program window that was open before.
  • Num Lock turns on a mode in which additional numeric keys work.
  • Enter needed to move to the next line in a text editor, as well as to enter information and confirm actions in many programs.
  • Windows used to open the menu called up when the mouse clicks the “Start” button.
  • Context is located near the right key and calls up a context menu, which differs depending on the program used.
  • The cursor keys move the cursor and allow you to scroll pages in the browser.

Hot keys speed up work on the computer by triggering one or another action. In the described combinations, the keys are pressed in the order in which they are written. Using button combinations it is easy to speed up the process of calling a particular function.

Windows + Pause/break - opens a window that displays information about the computer.
Windows + L is a combination that locks the computer. It helps you change your user account faster.
Windows + D - minimizes all windows. To open them, the keys are pressed again.
Windows + Space – the combination is designed to show the desktop.
Windows+ E - needed to go to “my computer”.
Windows + R - Opens the Run window.
Windows + Tab - switches between windows of running programs.
Ctrl + Shift + Esc - opens the task manager.
Win + F - opens a search window for the computer’s file system.
Ctrl + F - activates the search function in a document or program.
Alt + F4 is a keyboard shortcut that closes the active window. If the desktop is active, allows you to restart or shut down the computer when pressed again.
Ctrl + - zooms in or out depending on which way you scroll the mouse wheel.
Alt + Print Screen – the combination creates a screenshot of the program window that is active at that moment.

Hot keys when working with text and files

Ctrl + A - Selects all characters in a text editor or files in an open folder.
Ctrl + C - copies the selected fragment or files.
Ctrl + V - Pastes text or files contained in the clipboard.
Ctrl + Z – the combination is needed to undo the last action.
Ctrl + P - opens the print window.
Ctrl + N - opens a new window of the program that is running at that moment.
Ctrl + S - saves the typed text or project.
Shift + Delete – the combination completely deletes files without placing them in the trash. Be careful and careful when using this key combination!

Typing constantly on one keyboard makes it difficult to get used to another if you have to use several computers. In an electronics store, it is difficult to choose a specific model if you do not know what types of devices exist.

Depending on the buttons, all keyboards are divided into 3 types:

    1. Compact - are devices that do not have additional numeric keys. Such keyboards are convenient on a small computer desk and have a lower cost.
    1. Standard or full-size have all the described keys.
    1. Multimedia have additional buttons designed to control the playback of media files and control sound. Also, such devices often have a key to turn on the calculator and other programs. It is possible to reassign keys to suit your own needs. Multimedia keyboards often have USB hubs.

To understand which keyboard is more comfortable, try pressing several keys and comparing the sensations. Some devices click too loudly during use or press harder. When pressed, it becomes clear to what depth the buttons go.

In order not to get tired of the noise of the keyboard, for constant work you need to choose models with “softer” keys. Standard devices have a long pitch, while laptops have a short pitch. This also needs to be taken into account.

A multimedia keyboard with additional buttons and connectors significantly increases the degree of comfort when working at a computer, so for long-term work it is worth choosing just such models.

Important! For comfortable work, it is worth purchasing white keyboards. If English and Russian letters are different in color, this allows you to quickly switch from one language to another.

Regardless of which keyboard you choose for your work, it is important to create a comfortable environment. To do this, your hands should be located in a comfortable position. Don't forget about posture. Choosing the right keyboard and following the basic rules of working with a computer will allow you to enjoy the process.

Friends! I hope this article was useful to you, and now you know the purpose of the computer keyboard keys and will use them as efficiently as possible.

Description of all the keys to make life easier for computer geeks.

To display a hint, click on the key that interests you.

Detailed description of keyboard keys

F1-F12 - the functions assigned to these keys depend on the properties of the specific program currently running, and in some cases, on the properties of the operating system. It is a common convention for most programs that the F1 key calls up the help system, where you can find help about the actions of other keys.

F1 - Call Windows Help. When clicked from the window of any program, the help of this program is called up.

F2 - Rename the selected object on the desktop or in Explorer.

F3 - Open a search window for a file or folder (on the desktop and in Explorer).

F4 - Open a drop-down list (for example, the address bar list in the My Computer window or in Explorer).

F5 - Refresh the active window (open web page, desktop, explorer).

F6 - Switch between screen elements in a window or on the desktop. In Explorer and Internet Explorer, move between the main part of the window and the address bar.

F7 - Spell check (in Word, Excel).

F8 - When loading the OS - select the boot mode. Enable advanced text highlighting in Word. Selecting a fragment from the initial to the final cursor position occurs without holding down the Shift key. A second press of the F8 key highlights the word closest to the cursor. The third is the sentence containing it. Fourth - paragraph. Fifth - document. The easiest way to remove the last selection is by pressing the key combination Shift+F8. You can disable the mode by pressing the Esc key.

F9 - In some programs, updating selected fields.

F10 - Call up the window menu.

F11 - Switch to full screen mode and back (for example, in Internet Explorer).

F12 - Go to selecting file saving options (File - Save As).

Esc - cancel the last command entered, exit the window menu (remove focus) or close the open dialog.

Tab - Enter tab stops when typing. Move focus across elements. For example, moving between the desktop, Start button, Quick Launch, taskbar, and system tray. Navigate through elements (including links) of an open document. Alt+Tab - switch between windows.

Shift - uppercase key (non-fixed switching). Used simultaneously with other keys to type capital letters as well as uppercase characters.

The Ctrl+Shift or Alt+Shift combinations are usually used to switch keyboard layouts.

Capslock - upper case (fixed switching). Used when typing text in CAPITAL letters. Pressing the key again cancels this mode.

Alt - used in conjunction with other keys, modifying their action.

For example, Alt+letter - call a menu command or open a menu column. The corresponding letters in the menu are usually underlined (either initially, or become underlined after pressing Alt). If the menu column is already open, you can then press the key with the letter that is underlined in this command to call a specific command. The same applies to the open context menu.

Ctrl - used in combination with other keys. For example, Ctrl+C - copy, Ctrl+V - paste, Ctrl+Alt+Del - open Windows task manager.

Win (“start”) - opens the Start menu.

AppsKey - calls the context menu for the selected object (equivalent to right-clicking the mouse).

Enter - Confirm selection. Same as double clicking on an object. Clicking on the currently active button in the dialog. Often - clicking on the “default” button in the dialog. When entering commands from the keyboard, complete the command entry and proceed to its execution. When typing, move to a new paragraph.

Backspace - View a folder one level up in the My Computer window or Windows Explorer window. In text editing mode, delete the character to the left of the input cursor).

Delete - Delete the selected object, selected text fragment or character to the right of the input cursor.

Up, Down, Right and Left Arrows - Allow you to navigate through menu items. Move the input cursor in the appropriate direction by one position. The action of these keys in many programs can be modified using service keys, primarily SHIFT and CTRL.

Home - moves the cursor to the beginning of the current line of the document or to the beginning of the list of files.

End - moves the cursor to the end of the current line of the document or to the end of the list of files.

PageUp/PageDown - moves the cursor one page up or down. The term "page" usually refers to the portion of a document that is visible on the screen. Used to “scroll” the content in the current window.

Insert - Switch between insert and replace modes when editing text. If the text cursor is located inside existing text, then in insert mode new characters are entered without replacing existing characters (the text is, as it were, moved apart). In replace mode, new characters replace the text that was previously in the input position.

PrtScn (print screen) - Takes a screenshot and places it on the clipboard. Alt+PrtScn - copying a screenshot of the current active window (application) to the clipboard.

ScrLk (Scroll Lock) - refers to service keys. Its short description is scroll lock. Designed for a screen display mode in which pressing the cursor keys leads to a shift not of the cursor as such, but of the entire contents of the screen. Now this key is used for this purpose very rarely, but, for example, in Excel it works. This is very convenient when editing large tables.

Pause/Break - pauses the computer (in DOS it worked everywhere, in modern operating systems - only while the computer was booting).

Numlock - Changes the numeric keypad mode. When turned on, the numeric keypad switches to digit entry mode; when turned off, the additional keyboard can be used to control the cursor.

Additional numeric keypad.

These keys are a favorite among bank tellers with nimble fingers and anyone who has to type a lot of numbers. The numeric keypad resembles a calculator and is located on the right side of the keyboard. (However, you must press the Num Lock key for it to work. If you don't, you'll be stuck with the cursor keys.)

When Num Lock is turned off, the keys on the secondary numeric keypad will act as cursor keys. They show small arrows showing the direction the cursor is moving across the screen. (The number 5 key, which does not have an arrow, does nothing but combat low self-esteem.) In addition, the cursor is controlled by keys with the words “Home”, “End”, “PgUp” and “PgDn”.

I hope you find this useful!

Info from Ergo Solo

Is it possible to use a laptop or computer without a touchpad or mouse? Is it possible to open a program without using the menu? At first glance, this seems impossible to accomplish. But nevertheless, you can use the computer to its full capacity without endless clicks. In such cases, keyboard shortcuts come to the rescue. Correct use of their combinations allows you to significantly save time.

What are keyboard shortcuts for?

Hot keys or keyboard shortcuts are the ability to interact with a personal computer using only the keyboard. There is no doubt that for such “communication” far from random combinations of keys on the keyboard are used. The operating system has built-in actions that are triggered when certain keys are pressed.

Hot keys are used for more optimized work with a personal computer. These combinations are also called shortcut keys and keyboard accelerators.

Combinations are used most often in cases where you have to work a lot with the mouse or touchpad. It is much faster to select an item from a drop-down menu by pressing one or two keys than to constantly click on a file and search for the item you need.

The keyboard accelerator also helps with text processing. The Word text editor recognizes several dozen combinations, pressing which will cause a certain action: copy, paste, bold, underline, page break, and so on.

But the combinations also have a disadvantage. It lies in the number of combinations. It is very difficult to remember them all. But even using the most popular ones will help optimize your work with files, text, browser and dialog boxes.

Using modifier keys

Any owner of a personal computer or laptop has noticed that the keyboard has keys that do not perform any function on their own. These include Ctrl, Shift and Alt. By clicking them, it is impossible to change anything in the system, browser window or text editor. But they are precisely the modifier keys, thanks to which almost every key combination on a computer works.

Correct use of modifiers allows you to quickly access operating system settings. But such combinations work both globally and locally. With the right combination of buttons, you can create a new folder, rename a file, or even disable the keyboard.

Changing the keyboard layout: changing the key combination

All owners of personal computers running the Windows operating system know about the key combination that helps change the keyboard layout. In Windows 10, by default, two combinations are used: Win + Space and Alt + Shift. However, this option is not suitable for everyone, so users want to change the key combination to change the keyboard layout.

To change the way the keyboard layout is changed, you must:

  • Open Settings through the Start menu.
  • Select "Time and Language".
  • Go to "Region and Language".
  • In the window, click on “Advanced date and time settings, regional settings.”
  • In the “Language” item, select “Change input method”.
  • In the menu located on the left side of the window, click on “Advanced options”.
  • In the "Switch input methods" group, select "Change language bar keyboard shortcuts."
  • In the dialog box that appears, click on “Change keyboard shortcut” and enter new parameters.
  • Save settings.

After application they will change, and you can change the layout with a new combination.

Entering special characters using a keyboard shortcut

In some situations, it becomes necessary to enter special characters that the standard computer keyboard does not provide. Keyboard and modifier combinations didn't seem to help either.

What should you do if you urgently need to insert a copyright symbol, a down, up or side arrow, a note, or a paragraph into a message or document? There are two ways to enter such characters.

The first way is to work with the Word text editor. In order to insert a special character, you will need to open a new document, go to the “Tab” menu and select “Symbol”. In the list that appears, click on “Special characters”.

Next, a dialog box will pop up in which a list of all special characters will be presented. The user just has to choose the appropriate one. For easier searching, special characters are grouped by topic: monetary units, punctuation marks, geometric shapes, technical symbols, and so on.

To save time, the special characters window can be called up with the combination Ctrl+Alt+“-”.

The second way is using keyboard shortcuts for symbols. To enter special characters from the keyboard, you will need to hold down the Alt button and at the same time enter a set of numbers. For example, Alt+0169 is the code.

All codes are given below.

How to lock your keyboard using a keyboard shortcut

Unfortunately, there is no single key combination on the Windows 7 keyboard that will allow you to lock just the keyboard. On some computers and laptops the combination F11+Esc may work. Sometimes manufacturers introduce special combinations into their products for such tasks. For example, all Acer laptops lock the keyboard when you press Fn+F7.

But it is still possible to partially block the keyboard on the computer. The Win+L key combination locks not so much the keyboard itself as the operating system. After pressing the keys, the user will be transferred to the window for entering the system password and changing the account. Only those who know the password will be able to log in again.

Keyboard combinations for working in Word

There is a whole list of keyboard shortcuts that allow you to optimize your work with documents in the Word text editor.

To create a new document, just use the Ctrl+N keys.

Ctrl+O - opens a new file.

Ctrl+W - closes the file.

Alt+Ctrl+S - splits file windows.

Alt+Shift+C - removes division.

Ctrl+S - saves the document.

Alt + left arrow - move to the next page.

Alt + right arrow - move to the previous page.

Alt+Ctrl+I - preview.

Ctrl+P - print.

To switch to reading mode, you will need to successively press the Alt keys - O and E.

Ctrl+D - opens a window that allows you to change the type, size and properties of the font.

Shift+F3 - changes the appearance of the text: lowercase letters are replaced with uppercase ones.

Ctrl+Shift+F - replace capital letters with lowercase ones.

To make text bold, just press Ctrl+B.

Ctrl+I - tilt text selection.

Ctrl+U - adds an underline.

Ctrl+Shift+W - adds a double underline.

Ctrl+Shift+D - double underline.

Ctrl+Enter - insert a page break.

  • C - copy a specific table, image or text.
  • V - transferring data from the clipboard to the document.
  • X - data is written to the clipboard and deleted from the file.
  • A - data selection.
  • Z - cancel the last data entry.

There are many more hotkeys that allow you to optimize your work with documents. But the list presented above includes the main and most popular combinations that will be useful to every user.

Working with Dialog Boxes

Combining several buttons on the keyboard allows you to quickly navigate through operating system dialog boxes. Using arrows helps you move focus to other buttons in the window. The Backspace button moves the user to a folder that is one level higher. Pressing the Spacebar will clear the checkbox or checkmark.

The Tab button will move to the next active area of ​​the window. To move in the opposite direction, just add the Shift button to the combination.

You can quickly view all open folders and programs by holding Alt+Tab.

Keyboard shortcuts and Windows button

For many people, the Windows or Win key is associated with the Start menu. But in combination with other buttons, it works on a global scale.

Windows button +:

  • A - call the “Support Center”.
  • B - allows you to minimize all windows.
  • Alt+D - enables or disables the appearance of the current date on the desktop.
  • E - quickly opens the conductor.

“Windows” + K - instantly minimizes active windows.

Win+R - call the “Run” function.

Win+S - opens a window that allows you to search for files and programs on your personal computer.

Win+ “+”/ “-” - change the scale of the working surface.

Win and the enter button allow you to launch Narrator.

Win+Esc - closes the Magnifier application.

You can quickly open the Ease of Access Center by holding down Windows and I.

Win in combination with the up or down arrows allows you to resize the dialog box.

Working with Explorer

Pressing Alt+D allows you to move to the address bar.

Ctrl+E - activates the search field.

Ctrl+N is a universal combination that allows you to open a new window in almost any program.

Ctrl combined with scrolling changes the size of files and folders in a specific window.

Ctrl+Shift+E - displays a list of all folders that precede the active one.

Ctrl+Shift+N - creates a new folder.

If you press the F2 button after highlighting a file or folder, you can immediately rename it. The F11 key activates the preview. Pressing it again deactivates it.

Win+Ctrl+D - allows you to create a new virtual desktop. To switch between them you will need to press Win+Ctrl + left or right arrows.

The keyboard is used to enter information into the computer and provide control signals. It contains a standard set of alphanumeric keys and some additional keys - control and function keys, cursor control keys, as well as a small numeric keypad.

General concepts

Information entry point (cursor)- the symbol “|” flickering on the monitor screen, indicating the position in which the next character entered from the keyboard will be displayed.

The keyboard has a built-in buffer- small intermediate memory where entered characters are placed. All characters typed on the keyboard are immediately displayed on the monitor at the cursor position. However, if the system is busy, then the characters may not be immediately displayed on the screen, but placed in the keyboard buffer in order to display the entered characters on the screen after the system is released. If the keyboard buffer overflows, pressing a key will be accompanied by a sound signal, indicating that the character was not entered (rejected).

The most common today is 105(7) - a keyboard with a key layout QWERTY(read “querti”), named after the keys located in the upper left row of the alphanumeric part of the keyboard.

Alphanumeric keys

The alphanumeric keys of the keyboard are designed for entering English and Russian letters, numbers, punctuation marks and some other symbols. To change the input language, click in the indicator area Taskbars on the keyboard indicator icon and select the desired language.

The language can also be changed using the keyboard. To do this, you usually use one of two keyboard shortcuts: Alt (left) + Shift or Ctrl + Shift.

Alphanumeric keys also enter characters from other national alphabets. For example, if you have the Belarusian language installed on your system, then most of the letters of the Belarusian language coincide with the arrangement of the letters of the Russian language. But there are also differences. They are presented in the following table:

Function keys

At the top of the keyboard are 12 function keys. F1-F12. Function keys may have different meanings in different applications. Here is an example of the actions that the key performs F5.


Note that in many programs, the key is used to get help (hints). F1.

Control keys

Control keys have the following purpose:

Enter- enter key. In word processors, pressing the Enter key ends the paragraph entry. When working, for example, in a folder window or Conductor pressing the Enter key performs the same functions as double-clicking the left mouse button (usually the default action is open).

Esc(escape - exit) a key to cancel any actions, for example, to exit a dialog box, menu, etc.

Key Alt used to select a command from the active application menu without using the mouse. By pressing the Alt key, the user accesses the first menu item of the active application. Further selection of the command is carried out using the movement keys ↓ ← → and pressing the key Enter. Key Alt widely used in combination with other keys. Here are some of them:


Key Ctrl has no independent meaning, but when pressed together with other alphabetic or control keys, it changes their action. Here are some examples of using such combinations:


Shift(register) - provides change the register of keys(top to bottom and vice versa). For example, pressing a key Shift Together with the alphabet key, it allows you to enter capital letters.


Insert(insert) - switches between insertion modes (new characters are entered between those already typed, moving them apart) and replacement modes (old characters are mixed in with new ones).

Delete(delete) - deletes a character from a position to the right of the cursor (information entry point).

Back Space deletes the character in front of the cursor, i.e. to the left of the information entry position. Recall that the key Back Space located on the keyboard above the key Enter.

Tab - tab key, in text editors, it moves the cursor to the right several positions at once until the next tab stop; in dialog boxes, it serves to move between various control elements.

Caps Lock- fixes uppercase, providing entering capital letters instead of lowercase letters. Note that the key Caps Lock Works only with letter keys and does not affect special character input.

Scroll Lock- used only in spreadsheets to scroll information without changing the active cell.

Print Screen- provides copying information, currently displayed on the screen in Clipboard.

Long bottom key untitled - intended for entering spaces (to separate words).

The Windows logo key displays Main menu Windows. In addition, it is used to execute some commands, a list of which is given in the table below:

Keyboard shortcut Purpose
Windows + Break Opening a dialog box Properties of the system
Windows + D or Windows + M Minimize all windows
Windows + Shift + M Restoring minimized windows
Windows + E Opening the My Computer window
Windows + F Search for a file or folder
Ctrl + Windows + F Search for computers
Windows + F1 Displaying Windows Help
Windows + L Lock the computer when connected to a domain or switch users if the computer is not connected to a domain
Windows + R Opening a dialog box Execute
Windows+U Opening Utility Manager

The key serves to call the context menu of the selected object, i.e. it replaces right-clicking on the selected object.

Navigation keys

Navigation keys have the following purpose.

The ↓ ← → keys are used to move the cursor accordingly up, down, left and right per position or line.

Home and End- provide movement of the cursor to the first and last position of the line, respectively.

Page Up and Page Down- provide movement through the text one screen page back and forth, respectively.

Small numeric keypad

Small numeric keypad can be used in two modes: for entering numbers and for cursor control. These modes are switched using the key Num Lock.

You and I have already learned. Now it's time to learn the keyboard. In order to write a letter or a request in an Internet search engine, we cannot do without a keyboard. In addition, if your mouse does not work, you can use the keyboard. It is enough to know a few simple commands. Real programmers and hackers don't use a mouse at all. For them, the main instrument is the keyboard. Perhaps you, too, will work like this someday, but for now we will learn the basics of working on the keyboard.

Key layout

The entire keyboard, depending on its functions, can be visually divided into several groups:

  • Function keys (F1-F12)- used to perform special tasks. If you press the same key again, the action is canceled. F1 key - opens help for the program you are currently in;
  • Alphanumeric- These are keys with letters, numbers, punctuation marks and symbols.
  • Control keys- These include keys HOME,ENDPAGEU.P.PAGEDOWNDELETE And INSERT.
  • Cursor keys– used to move the cursor around documents, web pages, edit text, etc. Control keys (modifiers) (Ctrl,Alt,CapsLock,Win,Fn) - used in various combinations and individually.
  • Number keys– for quickly entering numbers.
  • Edit keysBackspace, Delete.

Keyboard layouts may vary slightly. Often modern keyboards also have multimedia keys. Such as turning the sound on/off, volume control, going to the mailbox, etc.

Keyboard key assignments

Each key performs a specific action:

  • Spacebar- the longest key on the keyboard. It is located at the very bottom in the middle. In addition to its main function, do
    space between words, it also deletes the “selected” object.
  • Esc- cancels the last action (closes unnecessary windows).
  • Print Screen-takes a screenshot. This screenshot can be pasted into Word or Paint. This photograph of the screen is called a “screenshot”. This key also prints the contents of the screen.
  • Scroll Lock- serves to scroll information up and down, but this button does not work on all computers.
  • Pause/Break-suspends the current computer process, but also does not work on all computers.
  • Insert- serves to print text on top of what has already been printed. If you press this key, new text will be printed, erasing the old one. To cancel this action, you must press the Insert key again.
  • Delete(on the keyboard it is often abbreviated Del) - deletion. Deletes characters located to the right side of the blinking cursor. Deletes “selected” objects (lines of text, folders, files).
  • Home- go to the beginning of the filled line.
  • End- jump to the end of the filled line.
  • Page Up- turns the page forward.
  • Page Down- turns the page back.
  • Backspace- deletes characters located to the left of the blinking cursor while typing text. And it returns to the previous page in browsers and in Explorer windows, replacing the “back” arrow in the upper left corner.
  • Tab- tab stops the cursor at a specific location on a line.
  • Caps Lock- switch between upper and lower case letters.
  • Shift- briefly pressing this key gives a capital letter. In order to type a capital letter, you must first press the Shift key and hold it down while pressing the desired letter. The Shift key can be pressed both on the right and on the left, whichever is more convenient for you.
  • Alt- to switch to the opposite language (from English to Russian and vice versa) – you need to press the Alt key and without releasing it the Shift key. Pressing and holding the AltGr (right Alt) key is used to move to the second level of the keyboard.
  • Ctrl- right and left. Opens up additional program features.
  • Nut Look– includes an additional numeric keypad.
  • Enter- information input key, confirms the command “yes”, or moves to the next line.
    Cursor keys - (up), (down), (right),
    (left). Using these arrows, you can move not only through the text you are typing, but also through open pages of sites and programs.

"Hotkeys

You've probably heard this expression. " Hot“They are called because when you press a combination of these keys, you can quickly call up some program or menu.

Each program has its own set of such keys. There is no need to memorize them. If you constantly work in some program, then it makes sense to memorize them. We will gradually study many of these combinations.

In many program windows, when you open any menu, next to a particular command, keyboard shortcuts are indicated for calling the same command.

Keyboard shortcuts

Typically such combinations are indicated with the sign + (plus). For example, Win+E. This means that you must first press the key Win, and then the key E.

The letters are meant to be Latin, regardless of what layout you have at the moment.

The most necessary actions on the keyboard

  • In order to switch to another language, you must press the key simultaneously Shift + Alt or Shift + Ctrl.
  • To print capital letter, you must hold down the key Shift and click on the desired letter.
  • To print all text in capital letters only, press Caps Lock and let go. And to switch back to small letters, press this key again.
  • To type a comma, you must press the key Shift and the comma key. They are usually nearby, on the right.
  • The point in the English layout is located next to, to the left of the point in the Russian layout.
  • To quickly call up the menu Start, you can press the key Win. It usually has a window icon (Windows logo) on it.
  • Key Fn designed for laptop. If you press it and any of the keys F1- F10 , you can enable or disable additional features. Usually on the keys F1- F10 there is a little icon drawn that shows what exactly this key does.

For now, this knowledge about the keyboard is enough for you. Find each key on your keyboard and try it out.