How to use the keyboard on a computer

Most PC users already know how to properly use a computer keyboard. However, some are just starting to get acquainted with it and need guidance on how to use it. It is worth noting that even experienced users do not always know the meaning of all keys, so this article will also be useful for this category.

Basic groups of keys and their purpose

The main function of the keyboard is data entry. Therefore, most of it is occupied by alphabetic and digital elements. But you can also execute many commands using the keyboard, which makes using your PC much easier. Therefore, to use the keyboard correctly, you need to know the functions of all its keys. There are 4 main groups of them:

• alphabetical;
• digital;
• managers;
• functional.

Now about each of them in more detail.

Alphabetical

This is the main group. It occupies 3 rows and is located in the center of the keyboard for easy input.

On a note! Those who are familiar with a typewriter will find it easier to use the keyboard, since the arrangement of letters on them is the same.

The letters are not in alphabetical order. This is also done for ease of typing. The central stripe contains the most commonly used letters, and those are also centered on the remaining lines (above and below). The following are the letters in descending order of use.So, the solid sign occupies the extreme position at the top right.

Digital

The number keys are designed accordingly for entering digital data. On standard keyboards they are located in two places:

• at the top, above the top row of letters;
• on the side, in a separate group.

This is also made for more convenient input. The numeric keypad located on the right is most convenient to use, especially for representatives of professions where frequent typing of numbers is required.

On a note! When typescript is laid out, the top number line turns into a line with punctuation marks.

Managers

This is a fairly extensive group that will replace and supplement the functionality of the mouse. These include:

• Enter – input and selection. In text documents, it denotes a paragraph. When using File Explorer or other applications, means “select” or “ok”.
• Shift – change the case of letters (uppercase/lowercase).
• Ctrl – used only in combination with other keys, performing many functions.
• Alt – select a command in the application menu. Also used in combination with other keys.
• Caps Lock – provides continuous input of capital letters.
• Tab – quickly move the cursor in text documents.
• Esc – cancel actions, exit the program, exit full screen mode.
• PrtSc – takes a screenshot of the screen (transfers data from the screen to the clipboard in the form of a picture).
• Ins – insert/replace mode.
• Del – deletion.
• Backspace – return to the previous position, as well as deleting text information.
• Win (windows icon image) – opens the control panel.
• Space is a long key without a name. Provides spaces between input characters.

Here is the most concise information about the main elements on the keyboard.If you want to go deeper, we recommend learning the keyboard shortcuts.

Functional

This group includes the topmost row, which contains elements from F1 to F12. They help you multitask without using a mouse.

On a note! These keys perform different functions in different applications.

For the above-mentioned reason, it is worth going to the “help” section of a specific application and looking at the functions of each element of this group there.