Keyboard Layout

BSJP
Gemini 1606

The QWERTY Keyboard Layout

		The Escape key cancels the current operation for most software applications. It is normally located at the top left of the keyboard.

		The Control key is often labeled Ctrl. You use the Control key in the same way that you use the Shift key - keeping it pressed down while pressing another character. The result is a control key combination, which can have different meanings depending on which program is running. A control key combination is a command issued by pressing a keyboard character in conjunction with the Control key. Manuals usually represent control key commands with the prefix CTRL- or CNTL-. For example, CTRL-N means the Control key and N pressed at the same time. Sometimes a control character is represented by a caret (for example, ^N is the same as CTRL-N).

		The Alt key is short for the term Alternate key, the Alt key is like a second Control key. Not all computer keyboards have an Alt key, but it is standard on all PC's. You use it in the same fashion as the Control key - holding it down while you press another key. For example, an instruction to use the Alt+P combination means that you should hold the Alt key down while pressing and then releasing the P key. The meaning of any Alt key combination depends on which application is running. It can be used to obtain special symbols and Greek characters.

		The Windows key is a short cut key that brings up the Start Menu.

		Pressing this key will bring up the same menu as if you had performed a right mouse click.

		This is the apostrophe key. Used for words such as it's, isn't and wasn't. With the apostrophe appearing at the base of the key it is often not recognised for what it is immediately. As with other multi character keys, by holding down the Shift key and pressing it, you will type the character that appears uppermost on the key, in this case the 'At' sign (@).

		This panel of lights indicates the status of each function. When the Num Lock light is on, the numeric keypad is activated. The Caps Lock button is only used if there is a large amount of text to be imputed in capitals, whilst active, the light will be on. The scroll lock button disables your ability to scroll in a non-active window when you are working in slit screens. You can also use the Scroll Lock key in the same way that you use the Shift key - keeping it pressed down while pressing another character to perform specific functions.

The Keys The set of typewriter-like keys enable you to enter data into a computer. Computer keyboards are similar to electric-typewriter keyboards but contain additional keys. The keys on computer keyboards are often classified as follows: Alphanumeric keys - letters and numbers. Punctuation keys - comma, period, semicolon, and so on. Special keys - function keys, control keys, arrow keys, caps lock key and so on. Cursor keys The cursor keys (short arrows) move the cursor (position indicator) around on the screen, one position at a time. They appear to the left of the numeric key pad and on the 2, 4, 6 and 8 keys on the numeric key pad. They allow you to move the cursor down, left, right or up within most software applications. The keys Home, End, Page Up and Page Down control larger cursor movements active in some software packages. Home An example of the use of this key would be when working in a word processing document, pressing this key will move the cursor to the left margin of the line at which it is on. End An example of the use of this key would be when working in a word processing document, pressing this key will return the cursor to the right of the last character of on the line of text. Page Up Pressing this button will scroll up the page in by approximately 5 cm. Page Down Pressing this button will scroll down the page by approximately 5 cm. Insert Pressing the Insert key put the document into over-type mode, where characters type over the ones already on the screen. It is near the {Delete} key. Print Screen In Windows, pressing the Print Screen key copies the screen image to the clipboard. The image is then available in any software that supports the clipboard function and from there it can be pasted into a document. Using Alt-Print Screen copies only the active window. \ and / The backslash \ with the (forward slash or) slash / keys can cause confusion. These keys are not interchangeable. For a list of printing characters, extended characters, Control key characters and other I.T. information for both PC's and Mac's , please select the appropriate link from the menu at the top of this page.