F1 - F12 function keys shortcuts

The function keys range from F1 to F12 on a computer keyboard. These keys perform a special function defined by the operating system or by a currently running program. These keys can be used with Alt or Ctrl keys to perform different functions.

The function keys may perform different tasks on different keyboards. As some laptop's and small keyboards' function keys are used to change the screen brightness, volume, and perform other specific functions. The common shortcut keys for Windows and macOS are given below:

F1

• It is used to open the help window in almost every program.
• It is also used to enter the BIOS or CMOS Some computers allow you to enter the BIOS setup by using different keys such as F2, F10, Delete, Esc.
• If you press Window + F1, it will open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.

F2

• In Microsoft Windows, it is used to rename an icon, file, or folder which the user selects.
• In Microsoft Excel, the key F2 allows you to edit the selected cell in the Excel sheet.
• In Microsoft word, if you press Ctrl+F2, the print preview window will open, and Alt+Ctrl+F2 will open the new file or a document.
• Furthermore, it is also used to enter the CMOS setup.

F3

• It is mostly used to open a search feature for many programs.
• In MS-DOS or Windows command line, it provides users the option to repeat the last command entered.
• In Microsoft Word, if you press Shift + F3, it allows you to change the selected text from uppercase to lowercase or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
• In Microsoft Outlook, if you press Windows Key + F3, it will open the advanced find window.
• Furthermore, it is also used to open the Mission Control on an Apple computer.

F4

• Its use is to open the find window in Windows 95 to XP.
• It is used to open the address bar in Internet Explorer as well as Windows Explorer.
• In Microsoft Word, it allows you to repeat the last action performed. For example, if you want to retype the last typed word or sentences multiple times, you can use this key.
• If you press Alt+F4, it will close the currently open window in Microsoft Windows. Furthermore, it is also used to shut down the system, for that you need to press Alt+F4 on desktop screen, you will see a dialog box then click OK button, and the system will be shut down.

F5

• It is mainly used to refresh or reload the page or document window.
• If you press Ctrl + F5 or Shift + F5 in a web browser, it completely refreshes the web page, clear the cache, and re-download the whole content of the web page.
• It provides users the option to access find, replace, and Go To dialog box in Microsoft Word.
• Furthermore, it is also used to start the slideshow in PowerPoint.

F6

• It helps users to move the cursor to the address bar in Internet browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.
• In Microsoft Word, if you press Ctrl+Shift+F6, it allows you to switch between other open Word documents.
• Furthermore, it reduces laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F7

• It is commonly used to check spelling and grammar of a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
• If you press Shift+F7, it allows you to check the thesaurus of the selected word in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint.
• It provides users the option to turn on Caret Browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
• It is also used to increase the laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F8

• The F8 function key allows users to enter the Windows startup menu, generally used to access Windows Safe Mode.
• It is also used to access the Windows recovery system by some computers but may require a Windows installation CD.
• Furthermore, it displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.

F9

• It is used to send and receive an email in Microsoft Outlook.
• It is also used to refresh document in Microsoft Word.
• Its use is to access the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
• It helps to reduce screen brightness on some laptops.
• It offers users the option to display a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace on macOS 10.3 or later versions.
• On Apple computer, if you press Fn and F9 keys together, the mission control will open.

F10

• It allows you to activate the menu bar of an open application in Microsoft Windows.
• Shift+F10 is used to open the right-clicking options on a selected word, icon, file, or Internet link. As shown in the below screenshot:
  
• It allows users to access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
• It provides users the option to enter CMOS setup on some computers.
• It is also used to increase the screen brightness on some laptops.
• On macOS 10.3 or later, it displays all open Windows for the active program.

F11

• It is used to enable and disable the full-screen mode in all modern internet browsers.
• It allows users the option to access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
• On macOS 10.4 or later, it is used to hide all open windows and shows the desktop.

F12

• It is used to open the Save as option where you can save a file with a different name in Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.
• By pressing Ctrl+F12, you can open a file or document in Word, Excel, etc.
• Shift+F12 is used to save a file in Microsoft Word like we do by using Ctrl+S.
• If you press Ctrl+Shift+F12 in Microsoft Word, it will open the print preview window of a document or a file like we do by using Ctrl+P.
• F12 is also used to open a firebug or debug tool of browser.
• On Apple computer 10.4 or later, F12 is used to display or hide the dashboard.
• Furthermore, it provides a list of bootable devices on a computer at startup. You can choose that device from the list, which you have connected to your PC to boot from, Such as hard drive, DVD drive or CD, floppy drive, USB drive, and network.