Keys and their Functions

The Keyboard - Standard Keyboard Layout

Most keyboards have keys arranged in five groups:

1. Alphanumeric keys

2. Numeric keypad

3. Function keys

4. Modifier keys

5. Cursor-movement keys
Parts of Keyboard
Alphanumeric (typing) keys.

These keys include the same letter, number,

punctuation, and symbol keys found on a
traditional typewriter.
• Letter Key – include letter’s, number’s
symbol’s and special key
• Numeric Key – numbers from 0 to 9 and
symbols like +, ‐, ?, % and ; belong to this
part of the keyboard
Numeric Keypad

A numeric keypad is the small, palm-sized,

seventeen key section of a computer keyboard
on the very far right.

Features digits 0 to 9, addition (+), subtraction

(-), multiplication (*), division (/) and decimal
point (.) and Num Lock and Enter keys.
Function Key

Keys that act as shortcuts for performing

certain functions such as saving files or
printing data.

Function keys usually are lined along the

top of the keyboard labeled F1 through
F12.
Function Keys
The function keys or F-keys are located at the top
of the keyboard labeled F1 through F12 They may
be used alone or with the CTRL, ALT, and Shift
keys to execute software commands on a
computer keyboard.
Cursor Keys

The cursor keypad (arrow keys) allow

you to move the cursor between
letters, words, sentences and
paragraphs. The other keys (Home,
End, Page Up, Page Down) allow your
cursor to jump across larger sections
and across screens.
Cursor Control Keys
These are Special keys on computer keyboards that mo
ve the cursor.
• Up Arrow Key – Moves the cursor one line up.
• Down Arrow Key - Moves the cursor one line down.
• Left Arrow Key – Moves the cursor one column left.
• Right Arrow Key – Moves the cursor one column
right.
• Home Key - Moves the cursor to the end of the
current row in a document.
• End Key – Moves the cursor to the end of the
current row in a document.
• Page Up Key –
Scrolls the document up one screenful.
• Page Down Key –
Scrolls the document down one screenful.
• Backspace Key – Moves the cursor one column
back by deleting the contents on the previous
column.
Modifier Keys

A modifier key is a key that modifies the

action of another key when the two are
pressed together. On an IBM compatible
computer, modifier keys include Alt, Ctrl,
Shift, and the Windows key. On the Apple
Macintosh computer, the Control, Option,
Command, and Shift keys are modifier keys.
Additionally, most laptop and some desktop
keyboards contain an Fn modifier key.
Esc Key
Pressing the Escape key usually can
cels or aborts
the current operation.
Control Key
Control key is a modifier
key which, when pressed in
conjunction with another key, will perform a sp
ecial operation.
There are typically two control
keys, on the left and right sides
of the row at the lowest part of the keyboard.
Shift Key

The shift key is a modifier key on a keyboar

d, used to type capital letters and other alter
nate "upper" characters. Like the control
key,
there are typically two shift keys, on the
left and right sides of the row on the second
from the lowest part of the keyboard.
Enter Key
A key that moves the cursor (or insertion point)
to the beginning of the next line.
After a program requests information from you
(by displaying a
prompt), it will usually not respond to your input
until you
have pressed the Enter key.
Tab Key

The Tab key moves the cursor/insertion point to a

preset position. Used to indent paragraphs or to
type columns.

Tab
Delete Key
The Delete Key removes (erases) the
character to the right of the cursor/insertion
point.
Insert Home

Delete End
Num Lock Key
A key that switches the numeric keypad fro
m numeric mode to cursor control mode, and
vice versa. In numeric mode,
the keys represent numbers even when they
are combined
with the Shift key.
Caps Lock Key
Used for keying a string of (three or more) all
capital letters. Capitalizes all letters when
used. If caps lock mode is in use and a
letter is keyed while holding down a shift
key, a lowercase letter will be keyed.
Alternate Key

Also called ALT key

Executes commands with other key(s)
Prt Scr Key
(Pronounced PRINT screen.) A keyboard key (
on most standardkeyboards) that, when press
ed, sends the information
displayed on-
screen to the printer or to the Clipboard. The
image then can be
printed or pasted from the Clipboard
into a graphics program for manipulation and
printing later.
Inside Keyboard
You might be surprised by how keyboards came from being
complex printed circuit boards (PCBs) to a single integraded
board with its own microprocessor. If you were to open your
keyboard, you might see something like this: