Keyboarding Terminology

Front

The row on a keyboard that contains the keys to which four fingers of each hand return as a base.

Back

Home row

Front

Used to make single capital letters or the symbols above the numbers. Can also be used to select multiple items in a row from a list.

Back

Shift key

Front

Used with other keys to perform shortcuts. Can also be used to select multiple non-adjacent items from a list.

Back

Control key

Front

Used for navigating menus and with other keys for special commands.

Back

Alt key

Front

A group of keys arranged like a calculator used to enter numbers and perform calculations.

Back

Numeric keypad

Front

Activates/deactivates numeric keypad. Options: End key, QWERTY, Num lock, Print screen

Back

Num lock

Front

A blinking vertical line that shows where text will appear when you begin typing.

Back

Cursor/insertion point

Front

Deletes the character to the left of the insertion point.

Back

Backspace

Front

Removes the character to the right of the insertion point.

Back

Delete

Front

Set of keys (F1, F2, etc.) used alone or with Shift, Ctrl, and Alt keys to issue software commands.

Back

Function keys