Using your keyboard
Whether you're writing a letter or entering numeric data, the keyboard is the primary means to enter information into your computer. But did you know that you can also use your keyboard to control your computer? Learning a few simple keyboard commands (instructions to your computer) can help you work more efficiently. This article covers the basics of keyboard and running is that you started with keyboard commands.
How keys are held
The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups according to function:
Typing (alphanumeric) key. These include the same letter, numbers, punctuation, and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.
Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain actions. The most frequently used are the CTRL, ALT, the Windows key, and ESC.
The function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are marked as F1, F2, F3, and so on, until F12. The functionality of these keys is different from program to another.
Navigation keys. These buttons are used to move in documents or Web pages and text editing. They include the arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, INSERT and DELETE.
Numeric keypad. The keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The keys are grouped in a bloc as a classic calculator or adding machine.
The following illustration shows how these keys are arrayed on a typical keyboard. May differ your keyboard.
Entering text
Whenever you need to type something in software, e-mail or text box you will see a blinking vertical line (). This is the cursor, also called the insertion point. It shows where the text you type will begin. You can move the cursor by clicking on the desired location with the mouse or using the navigation buttons (see "Using the navigation keys" section of this article).
In addition to letters, numbers, punctuation and symbols, as keys input SHIFT, CAPS LOCK, the TAB key and enter, the space bar, and BACKSPACE.
Using keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are ways to perform actions with your keyboard. They are called shortcuts because they help you work faster. In fact, almost any action or command, you can achieve with a mouse can be made faster by using one or more keys on your keyboard.
Help topics in a plus sign () between two or more keys indicates that these keys must be pressed in combination. For example, CTRL One way to hold down the CTRL key and press CTRL SHIFT A. One way to hold down the CTRL key and then press SHIFT A.
Find the program shortcuts
You can do things in most programs by using the keyboard. To see the commands have keyboard shortcuts, open a menu. Shortcuts (if available) are shown next to the menu.
Choose menus, commands and options
You can open the menus and commands and select other options using your keyboard. When you press ALT in software, with menus, a letter to each of the menu names becomes stressed. Press a letter underlined to open the menu. Press the letter underlined in a menu item to select this command.
This trick works in dialog boxes too. Whenever you see an underlined letter attached to an option in a dialog box, you can press ALT plus the letter to choose this option.
Useful shortcuts
The following table lists some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts. For a more detailed list, see Keyboard shortcuts.
The assistance of the navigation keys
The navigation buttons let you move the cursor to move through documents and Web pages and edit the text. The following table lists some of the functions of these keys.
Using the keypad
The keypad has the numbers 0 for 9, the arithmetic operators (addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication) and / (division), and the comma, as they appear on a calculator or adding the machine. These characters are duplicated elsewhere on the keyboard, of course, but the keyboard arrangement allows you to enter numerical data or mathematical operations with one hand.
To use the numeric keypad to enter numbers, press NUM LOCK. Most keyboards have a light that indicates whether NUM LOCK is on or off. When NUM LOCK is off, the keypad works as a second set of navigation keys (these functions are printed on the keys next to the numbers or symbols).
You can use your keypad to perform simple calculations with the calculator.
Calculator work with the keypad
Click to open the calculator.
Check your keyboard light to see if NUM LOCK is on. If it is not, press NUM LOCK.
Using the keypad, type the first number in the calculation.
On the keyboard, to add - subtract, multiply, * / or to divide.
Type the following number in the calculation.
Press ENTER to calculate.
Three key odd
So far, we have discussed almost all the keys you may use. But to really curious, we will explore the three mysterious buttons on the keyboard: PRINT SCREEN, SCROLL LOCK, and PAUSE / BREAK.
PRINT SCREEN (or PRT SNA)
Long ago, this key actually does what it says it sent the current screen of text to your printer. Today, pressing PRINT screen captures an image of your entire screen (a "screen") and copies to the Clipboard in the memory of your computer. From there you can paste (CTRL-V) in Microsoft Paint or another software and if you want to print from this program.
Is more obscure SYS RQ, which shares with the PRINT SCREEN key on keyboards. Historically, RQ SYS was designed to be an "application system", but this command is not enabled in Windows.
Tip
Press ALT PRINT SCREEN to capture a picture of the active window, instead of the entire screen.
SCROLL LOCK (SCR or LK)
In most programs, pressing SCROLL LOCK has no effect. In some programs, pressing SCROLL LOCK changes the behavior of arrow keys and Page PAGE UP and DOWN key pressing causes to scroll through the document without changing the position of the cursor or the selection. Your keyboard may be a light indicating whether SCROLL LOCK is on.
PAUSE / BREAK
This key is rarely used. In some older programs, pressing the button pause the broadcast or in combination with CTRL, it stops working.
Other buttons
Some modern keyboards come with "hot keys" or buttons that give you fast access to the press of programs, files or commands. Other models have volume controls, scroll wheels, wheels zoom, and other gadgets. For details on these features, check the information with your keyboard or computer, or go to the manufacturer's Web site.
Tips for using your keyboard security
Using your keyboard properly can help avoid pain or damage to your wrists, hands and arms, especially if you use your computer for long periods of time. Here are some tips to help you avoid problems:
Place your keyboard at the elbow. Your arms should be relaxed to your sides.
Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard is a numeric keypad, you can use the space bar as the center.
Type the hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so you can use your whole arm to reach distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
Do not rest your palms or wrists on any surface while typing. If your keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.
While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.
When you're not typing, relax your arms and hands.
Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20 minutes.
