What are the F1 through F12 keys?

Updated: 05/01/2023 by Computer Hope

The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys with a special function defined by the operating system or the active program. In certain instances, they may be combined with Alt or Ctrl keys.

On some smaller keyboards and laptop computers, the F-keys may have a dedicated purpose, such as changing the screen brightness, the volume, or other device-specific functions. On these keyboards, there's an Fn key that toggles what the F-key does when pressed. See our Fn page for further information and help with using this key.

Below is an overview of the more common functions of the F-keys (F1 - F12) for Windows and macOS.

Note

Most Chromebooks do not have F1 through F12 function keys. However, some higher-end Chromebooks do and they may perform actions similar to those detailed below.

Note

Some Apple Macbooks have replaced the physical function keys with a Touch Bar.

`F1`

Used as the help key in almost every program. When pressed, a help screen opens, or you're directed to a web page.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.
Windows key+F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
In Excel, press Alt+Shift+F1 to create a new worksheet tab.
See our Alt+F1 and Ctrl+F1 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F1 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F2`

In Microsoft Windows, renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
In Microsoft Excel, edits the active cell.
Ctrl+Alt+F2 opens the open document window in Microsoft Word and lets you select a document to open in Word.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.
See our Alt+F2 and Ctrl+F2 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F2 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F3`

Often opens a search feature for many programs, including Microsoft Windows, when at the Windows desktop on Windows 7 and lower.
In some programs, after an initial search is performed, F3 finds the next search value.
In MS-DOS or Windows command line, F3 repeats the last command entered.
Shift+F3 changes the selected text in Microsoft Word between uppercase, lowercase, and capitalizing the first letter of each word.
Windows key+F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
In Windows Explorer, start the search function.
Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.
See our Alt+F3 and Ctrl+F3 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F3 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F4`

Open the find window in Windows 95 to XP.
Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).
Closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
While in the Excel formula box, pressing F4 switches between an absolute and relative cell reference.
See our Alt+F4 and Ctrl+F4 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F4 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F5`

In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 refreshes or reloads the page or document window.
Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
Pressing F5 starts a slideshow in PowerPoint from the first slide. Pressing Shift+F5 starts the slideshow from the currently active slide.
Pressing F5 when the computer is first loading MS-DOS loads the default settings.
See our Alt+F5 and Ctrl+F5 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F5 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F6`

Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
See our Alt+F6 and Ctrl+F6 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F6 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F7`

Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
Shift+F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
Turns on Caret Browsing in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
Open the Layers panel in Adobe Photoshop.
While in the Windows command line, press F7 to view a history of all the commands entered in that window.
See our Alt+F7 and Ctrl+F7 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F7 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F8`

Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
Used by some computers to access the Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.
Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces or works as a play/pause for the audio player in macOS.
Pressing the F8 key opens the Replace window in TextPad.
See our Alt+F8 and Ctrl+F8 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F8 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F9`

Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.
See our Alt+F9 and Ctrl+F9 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F9 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F10`

In most Microsoft Windows programs, by default, F10 activates the menu bar or Ribbon of an open application.
Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP (Hewlett-Packard), and Sony computers.
Enter BIOS setup as the computer is booting.
With macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program.
See our Alt+F10 and Ctrl+F10 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F10 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F11`

Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
Pressing F11 by itself accesses the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the desktop.
See our Alt+F11 and Ctrl+F11 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F11 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F12`

Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
Open Firebug, Chrome Developer Tools, or other browsers debug tool.
With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (e.g., hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).
See our Alt+F12 and Ctrl+F12 pages for programs using these shortcuts.

Tip

See our F12 page for further information on this key and its possible secondary functions.

`F13` - `F15`

On newer Apple keyboards, the F13, F14, and F15 may be shown in place of the Print Screen key, Scroll Lock key, and Pause key.

`F16` - `F19`

On newer Apple keyboards, the F16, F17, F18, and F19 keys are above the number pad.

`F13` - `F24`

Early IBM computers also had keyboards with F13 through F24 keys. However, because these keyboards are no longer used, they are not listed on this page.