How To Use F Keys On Mac Laptop For In Program Uses

12.06.2020 admin

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How To Use F Keys On Mac
How To Press F Keys On Mac

You might be Using Windows for a long time but I am sure majority of you guys don’t know all the features and The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys that have a special function defined by the operating system, or by a currently running program. Likewise, the Windows keyboard's Alt key is where you expect to find the Mac's Command key. If you're used to using the modifier keys from your old Mac keyboard, you're likely to run into trouble for a while as you relearn the key locations. Different brands of computers and software programs may have different uses for the 'F' keys, but there are some common ways you can use them in Windows, Microsoft Office programs and browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Number pad on/off. Handy if you're a touch typist and you don't want the number pad active while you're using the keyboard. F12: Zoom control. This function uses the 3D processing power of the video chip to let you zoom in on the screen – useful for reading smaller text, or looking at the detail in a diagram or photo. F Space: Instant resolution change. Open a program that uses the function keys such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel. Check your keyboard for an 'F-Lock' or 'Function Lock' key. This key is used to toggle function-key support; when it is toggled on, the function keys will not work. For example, if you’re using Windows in a Boot Camp configuration on a Mac, you can open the Boot Camp configuration panel from your system tray and you’ll find this option named “Use all F1, F2, etc. Keys as standard function keys” under the Keyboard tab.

Mac keyboards are fairly renowned for their simple but elegant functionality. Not only are they highly customizable, but OS X contains an option that let you use the function (fn) key to access the actual function keys (F1, F2, etc.).

We’ve made it clear that it is easy to make the most of Mac keyboards. You can customize keyboard and application shortcuts to bend the system to your will. You can use it to quickly jump from virtual desktop to virtual desktop, and if you go between OS X and Windows, you can remap your OS X keys so they work more like Windows, and vice-versa, so as to avoid confusion and incorrect key presses.

If you’re using a Mac laptop, then the keyboard will already be adorned with special feature keys. Along the top row, there are special keys allowing you to increase/decrease screens brightness and keyboard backlight, volume controls, media keys, and more.

You can, however, press the “fn” key and use that top row as regular function keys. Normally, F1, F2, and so on, don’t correspond to anything in OS X, so the top row can only be used as function keys if you hold down “fn”. So, in order to use F1, F2, etc. without the “fn” key, you have to check a box in the keyboard settings. When you do this, you will then have to use “fn” to access the special functions. In other words, special features and functions roles are reversed.

In the following screenshot, we see that the option “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” is unchecked by default.

We simply need to check this box then to turn off special features and turn F1, F2, etc. into the default keys.

If you want to quickly switch back and forth, you can show the keyboard, emoji, and symbols viewer in the menu bar, so then you can just click on the menu bar icon to open the keyboard settings.

With this option checked, you will have to hold “fn” to control screen brightness, volume, etc., but if you use an application that relies heavily on function keys, then this is likely to be a far more efficient arrangement. This is true for example, in Microsoft Office applications where F5 opens “Find and Replace” and F6 starts a spelling and grammar check.

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Windows and Mac Keyboard Differences

There are at least five keys that may have different names or symbols on a Windows keyboard than they do on a Mac keyboard, which can make it difficult to follow Mac-related instructions. For example, a software manual may tell you to hold down the command key ( ⌘ ), which appears to be missing from your Windows keyboard. It's there, it just looks a little different.

Here are the five most commonly used special keys on a Mac and their Windows keyboard equivalents.

Use these to control various Mac functions, including using Mac OS X startup shortcuts.

Another helpful bit of information for new Mac users is to know which menu key symbols correspond to which keys on the keyboard. The symbols used in the Mac menus can be a bit strange to those new to the Mac, as well as old hands who may be more mousers than keyboard users.

The Command and Option Key Swap

Besides Windows and Mac keyboards having slightly different names, they also swap the positions of two often-used modifier keys: the Command and Option keys.

If you’re a long-time Mac user transitioning to a Windows keyboard, the Windows key, which is equivalent to the Mac's Command key, occupies the physical position of the Option key on a Mac keyboard. Likewise, the Windows keyboard's Alt key is where you expect to find the Mac's Command key. If you're used to using the modifier keys from your old Mac keyboard, you're likely to run into trouble for a while as you relearn the key locations.

Instead of having to relearn key locations, use the Keyboard preference pane in System Preferences to reassign the modifier keys, allowing you to keep the fingering skills you already possess.

Launch System Preferences by clicking its icon in the Dock, or clicking the Apple menu on the left side of the menu bar then selecting System Preferences.
In the System Preferences window that opens, select the Keyboard preference pane.
Use the pop-up menu next to the Option and Command keys to select the action you wish the modifier keys to perform. In this example, you want the Option key (the Alt key on a Windows keyboard) to execute the Command action, and the Command key (the Windows key on a Windows keyboard) to perform the Option action.
Don’t worry if this sounds a bit confusing, it will make more sense when you see the drop-down pane in front of you. Also, if things get a bit mixed up, you can just click the Restore Defaults button to put everything back the way it was.
Program for mac to convert wav files to mp3. If you’ve purchased from Amazon, you’ll have MP3 files, most likely in VBR (variable bit rate compression), so the bit rate you see will be an average. If you’ve bought music from the iTunes Store, you’ll have AAC files at 256 kbps (that’s kilobits per second, an indication of the quality of the compression; higher numbers are better).
Make your changes and click the OK button, then close System Preferences.

With the modifier keys remapped, you shouldn't have any problems using any Windows keyboard with your Mac.

Keyboard Shortcuts