Whether on a Mac or PC, these F keys can make life easier.
2017-07-03On a MacBook, press Control+Shift+FN+Left arrow key. Extend the selection to the last cell used on the sheet (lower-right corner) Control+Shift+End On a MacBook, press Control+Shift+FN+Right arrow key. Select the entire column. Select the entire row. Select the entire sheet +A. Select only visible cells +Shift+Asterisk (.). Pressing a function key will invoke its secondary function by default. To use the Fx keys as standard function keys, press and hold the Fn button and then press the required function key. If you're using a non-Apple keyboard that doesn't have an Fn key, try pressing and holding the Control key instead. Changing Function Key Behavior on Mac.
Chances are good you've noticed the row of numbered keys across the top of your computer keyboard that all have an 'f' in front of them. But they may not get much use. If you're using a laptop, they might even share space with other options, such as your Wi-Fi switch or your mute button.
Maybe you know the purpose of one or two of them, or perhaps you simply try to avoid them because you have no clue what they do. However, learning the uses for these function keys can help you become even more efficient. Check out this comprehensive list of functions so you can stop neglecting those little f keys.
Apple's Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard lack function keys. But according to 9to5Mac, Apple is planning on adding shortcuts to the iPad and iPad Pro that would act as function keys. This was discovered in code found in the recently released iPadOS 13.5.5 beta. I recently was gifted an Apple magic keyboard for my iPad, but was messing around with it and found out it can work with my Surface as well. However, the shortcut keys like Volume, Play/Pause, and Next/Prev do not work. Is there a way to download/upgrade any software in order to get these keys to function with the Surface Pro 4?
F1
Windows users can press this key to access the Help Menu or support page related to the current open page. For example, if you are currently viewing the desktop and press F1, Windows Help and Support opens. When using an MS Office application, the Help dialog opens. If you are browsing on Google Chrome, F1 opens the Google Support page.
On a Mac, F1 reduces the screen's brightness.
F2
Windows users can press this key instead of right-clicking an item and choosing 'Rename.' Click on a file, folder or other object on your desktop or in any folder and press F2 to highlight the current name. Type in the new name and press 'Enter.'
F2 increases the screen's brightness on a Mac computer.
F3
Press this key on a Windows PC to open the Find dialog for the current view. For instance, if you are viewing the desktop, the File Search window opens. On a browser, the Find on Page box appears.
On a Mac, F3 activates Expose view, which gives you a glimpse of everything currently running.
F4
It doesn't do much on its own (aside from opening the address bar in Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer), but with some simple combos, it can be quite useful. For example, Ctrl-F4 will close the current document and Alt-F4 closes the current application.
F4 on a Mac gives you dashboard access to business, communication and Internet widgets.
F5
You can refresh a page in Windows by pressing the F5 key. F5 in most MS Office programs brings up the Go To dialog. In PowerPoint, the key can be used to start slideshows.
Keyboard Function Keys F13
F5 is unassigned on Macs.
F6
Cycle the cursor through various points on a page, panes or frames using F6 in Windows. Shift-F6 does the same thing, but in reverse.
F6 has no assigned function on Mac computers.
F7
In most windows and applications, F7 has no function. However, if you are working in Microsoft Word or some other Office programs, this handy shortcut runs the Spelling and Grammar Check. Shift-F7 opens the thesaurus with synonyms for the selected word.
On Macs, F7 can be used to rewind media content.
F8
If your computer is having issues, tapping F8 repeatedly while the machine reboots brings up the Recovery screen so you can access Safe Mode, provided you have a Windows 7 or earlier operating system. F8 will also extend text selection in Word.
On Mac OS 10.3 or later, F8 displays a thumbnail for all current workspaces.
F9
While it has no essential Windows function, F9 will refresh fields in Word and prompt Outlook to send and receive messages.
If you are running Mac OS X, you can open Mission Control by pressing the F9 key.
F10
On a Windows computer F10 activates the menu bar or ribbon of the open application. Shift-F10 brings up the right-click menu.
On Mac 10.3 OS or later, F10 displays all open windows for the active application.
F11
You can switch to full-screen mode in browser windows by pressing F11 on a PC. Pressing the key a second time lets you escape this mode.
Press F11 on a Mac running OS 10.4 or later to hide all open windows and display the desktop.
F12
F12 will open the 'Save As' window in MS Office programs. Ctrl-F12 brings up the 'Open' window and Shift-F12 saves an existing document.
On a machine running Mac OS 10.4 or later, you can use F12 to show or hide the dashboard.
Make It Even Easier
Mac users can configure the top row of keys to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key. Select 'System Preferences' from the Apple menu and click 'Keyboard.' Choose 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys' on the Keyboard tab.
If you are a Windows user, look for an F Lock key. You can press this to toggle between the keys' primary commands and the F key functions.
[h/t: Reader's Digest]
Control features on your Mac
By default, the top row of keys on your Apple keyboard control many different features on your Mac. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons adjusts the volume.
If your Mac has a Touch Bar, learn about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Use standard function keys
Standard function keys work differently depending on the app and the keyboard shortcuts that you've set up. Some apps have their own keyboard shortcut preferences that you can customize.
Function Keys On Mac Keyboard
To use the standard function keys, hold the Fn (Function) key when pressing a function key. For example, pressing both Fn and F12 (speaker icon) performs the action assigned to the F12 key instead of raising the volume of your speakers.
If your keyboard doesn't have an Fn key, try pressing and holding the Control key when pressing a function key.
Change the default function key behavior
If you want to change the top row of keys to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key, follow these steps:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Keyboard.
- Select 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'.
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys', you might be using a keyboard not made by Apple. These keyboards might need a utility to change the keyboard functions. Check with your keyboard manufacturer for more information.
F4 Key On Mac
Learn more
Learn about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
