Keyboarding Terminology

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

• Shift key
• Keys
• Home row
• Numeric keypad

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.

• Delete
• Home row
• End key
• Shift key

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

• Control key
• Windows key
• Words Per Minute (WPM)
• Function keys

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

• QWERTY
• Alt key
• Space bar
• Home row

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

• Numeric keypad
• Shift key
• Function keys
• Keys

Activates/deactivates numeric keypad.

• End key
• QWERTY
• Num lock
• Print screen

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

• Function keys
• Cursor/insertion point
• Home row
• Numeric keypad

Deletes the character to the left of the insertion point.

• Backspace
• Shift key
• Keys
• Windows key

Removes the character to the right of the insertion point.

• Space bar
• Function keys
• End key
• Delete

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

• Home row
• Control key
• Function keys
• Page up key