Learning the Basics

61

Using the keyboard

Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys

Ctrl FnAlt

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Ctrl, Fn and Alt keys

The Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys do different things depending on the program you are using. For more information, see your program documentation.

Character keys

Typing with character keys is very much like typing on a typewriter, except:

The spacebar creates a space character instead of just passing over an area of the page.

The lowercase l (el) and the number 1 are not interchangeable.

The uppercase letter O and the number 0 (zero) are not interchangeable.

The Caps Lock key changes only the alphabet keys to uppercase

— the number and symbol keys are not affected.

Function keys F1 - F12

The function keys (not to be confused with the Fn key) are the 12 keys at the top of the keyboard.

F1

F2

F3

F4

F5

F6

F7

F8

F9

F10

F11

F12

Function keys

F1 through F12 are called function keys because they run programmed functions when you press them. Used in conjunction with the Fn key, function keys marked with icons run specific functions in the computer.