.png "Comprehensive Keyboard Keys Table (Windows 104-Key Layout)") |
| Comprehensive Keyboard Keys Table (Windows 104-Key Layout) |
๐ฅ️ Comprehensive Keyboard Keys Table (Windows 104-Key Layout)
A keyboard is the most essential input device used with a computer. It acts as a bridge between human thought and digital action. The Windows 104-Key Layout is the standard keyboard design used across desktops and laptops today. Each key plays a unique role, and understanding their purpose helps improve typing speed, productivity, and accuracy.
๐ค Overview of the 104-Key Keyboard
The 104-key keyboard includes a combination of alphabetic, numeric, function, navigation, control, and special keys. Every key is strategically placed to ensure smooth interaction with software, games, and applications. The layout is designed to support multitasking, data entry, editing, and quick access through shortcuts.
๐งฉ Categories of Keys
Here’s a quick look at the different types of keys and their uses:
1. Alphabet Keys (A–Z)
There are 26 alphabet keys used for typing letters and words. These are the most frequently used keys and can be combined with the Shift key to produce uppercase letters.
2. Numeric Keys (0–9)
The number keys are placed on the top row of the keyboard and on the numeric keypad. They are used for entering numerical data and performing mathematical operations.
3. Function Keys (F1–F12)
These keys perform specific actions depending on the program in use.
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F1 opens help,
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F5 refreshes the page,
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F12 opens the “Save As” window in Microsoft Office, etc.
4. Control and Modifier Keys
Keys like Ctrl, Alt, Shift, and the Windows key modify the behavior of other keys. For instance, Ctrl + C copies text, and Alt + Tab switches between open applications.
5. Navigation Keys
Keys such as Arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down are used to move the cursor within text or documents without using a mouse.
6. Editing Keys
Keys like Backspace, Delete, Insert, and Enter are essential for text editing and document formatting.
7. Special Character and Symbol Keys
The top numeric row also includes symbols like !, @, #, $, %, ^, &, *, (, ), etc. These are accessed by holding down the Shift key.
8. Numeric Keypad
Located on the right-hand side, this section is useful for fast numeric data entry, especially in accounting or spreadsheets.
๐ง Importance of Understanding Keyboard Keys
Learning the complete keyboard layout helps users:
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Improve typing efficiency and speed.
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Master software shortcuts for better productivity.
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Understand hidden functions of symbol and control keys.
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Reduce dependency on the mouse for navigation.
| S. No. | Name of the Key / Key Group | Number of Keys | Type of Keyboard Keys | Usage of Keys | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alphabet Keys (A–Z) | 26 | Alphabetic | Used to type letters and words | Works with Shift/Caps Lock for uppercase |
| 2 | Number Keys (0–9) | 10 | Numeric | Used to type numbers | Located above alphabet row |
| 3 | F1 | 1 | Function | Opens Help menu in most programs | Shortcut for Help |
| 4 | F2 | 1 | Function | Renames selected item | Works in File Explorer |
| 5 | F3 | 1 | Function | Opens search feature | Works in browsers & Explorer |
| 6 | F4 | 1 | Function | Opens address bar | Alt + F4 closes window |
| 7 | F5 | 1 | Function | Refreshes window or page | Commonly used in browsers |
| 8 | F6 | 1 | Function | Moves cursor to address bar | Useful in browsers |
| 9 | F7 | 1 | Function | Activates spelling & grammar check | Works in MS Word |
| 10 | F8 | 1 | Function | Opens Windows startup menu | Used during boot |
| 11 | F9 | 1 | Function | Refreshes document | Depends on software |
| 12 | F10 | 1 | Function | Activates menu bar | Shift + F10 opens context menu |
| 13 | F11 | 1 | Function | Toggles full screen mode | Works in browsers |
| 14 | F12 | 1 | Function | Opens “Save As” dialog | Used in MS Office |
| 15 | Esc (Escape) | 1 | Special | Cancels current operation | Closes dialogs or menus |
| 16 | Tab | 1 | Control | Moves cursor to next field | Used for form navigation |
| 17 | Caps Lock | 1 | Control | Toggles uppercase typing | Has indicator light |
| 18 | Shift (Left/Right) | 2 | Control | Used for uppercase & symbols | Used in key combinations |
| 19 | Ctrl (Left/Right) | 2 | Control | Used in keyboard shortcuts | Ctrl + C = Copy |
| 20 | Alt (Left/Right) | 2 | Control | Used with other keys for shortcuts | Alt + Tab switches windows |
| 21 | Windows | 1 | Special | Opens Start menu | Used in Windows shortcuts |
| 22 | Spacebar | 1 | Special | Inserts blank space | Longest key on keyboard |
| 23 | Enter / Return | 1 | Editing | Executes command / moves to next line | Also on numeric keypad |
| 24 | Backspace | 1 | Editing | Deletes character to the left | Used while typing |
| 25 | Delete (Del) | 1 | Editing | Deletes selected item or next character | Used in files/text |
| 26 | Insert (Ins) | 1 | Editing | Toggles insert/overwrite mode | Used in text editing |
| 27 | Home | 1 | Navigation | Moves cursor to start of line/document | With Ctrl = start of document |
| 28 | End | 1 | Navigation | Moves cursor to end of line/document | With Ctrl = end of document |
| 29 | Page Up | 1 | Navigation | Scrolls one page up | Useful in long pages |
| 30 | Page Down | 1 | Navigation | Scrolls one page down | Useful in long pages |
| 31 | Arrow Up | 1 | Cursor Control | Moves cursor upward | Used in navigation or games |
| 32 | Arrow Down | 1 | Cursor Control | Moves cursor downward | Used in navigation or games |
| 33 | Arrow Left | 1 | Cursor Control | Moves cursor left | Used in editing/navigation |
| 34 | Arrow Right | 1 | Cursor Control | Moves cursor right | Used in editing/navigation |
| 35 | Print Screen (PrtScn) | 1 | Special | Captures screen image | Saves to clipboard |
| 36 | Scroll Lock | 1 | Special | Toggles scroll behavior | Rarely used |
| 37 | Pause / Break | 1 | Special | Pauses command or process | Legacy function |
| 38 | Menu (Context Key) | 1 | Special | Opens right-click menu | Same as right mouse button |
| 39 | Num Lock | 1 | Special | Activates numeric keypad | Light indicates ON/OFF |
| 40 | ~ / ` (Tilde / Backquote) |
1 | Symbol | Used in programming | Above Tab key |
| 41 | ! (Exclamation Mark) |
1 | Symbol | Used for emphasis or warning | Shift + 1 |
| 42 | @ (At Symbol) |
1 | Symbol | Used in email addresses | Shift + 2 |
| 43 | # (Hash) |
1 | Symbol | Used for tags or comments | Shift + 3 |
| 44 | $ (Dollar Sign) |
1 | Symbol | Represents currency | Shift + 4 |
| 45 | % (Percent) |
1 | Symbol | Denotes percentages | Shift + 5 |
| 46 | ^ (Caret) |
1 | Symbol | Power operator or control symbol | Shift + 6 |
| 47 | & (Ampersand) |
1 | Symbol | Represents “and” | Shift + 7 |
| 48 | * (Asterisk) |
1 | Symbol | Multiplication or wildcard | Shift + 8 |
| 49 | ( (Left Parenthesis) |
1 | Symbol | Opens a group in expressions | Shift + 9 |
| 50 | ) (Right Parenthesis) |
1 | Symbol | Closes a group in expressions | Shift + 0 |
| 51 | - (Hyphen / Minus) |
1 | Symbol | Subtraction or hyphen | Next to 0 key |
| 52 | _ (Underscore) |
1 | Symbol | Used in filenames or variables | Shift + Hyphen |
| 53 | = (Equal Sign) |
1 | Symbol | Equality or assignment | Next to Hyphen |
| 54 | + (Plus Sign) |
1 | Symbol | Addition or increment | Shift + = |
| 55 | [ (Left Bracket) |
1 | Symbol | Used in coding | Right of P |
| 56 | ] (Right Bracket) |
1 | Symbol | Used in coding | Right of [ |
| 57 | { (Left Brace) |
1 | Symbol | Used in programming blocks | Shift + [ |
| 58 | } (Right Brace) |
1 | Symbol | Used in programming blocks | Shift + ] |
| 59 | \ (Backslash) |
1 | Symbol | Used in file paths | Above Enter key |
| 60 | ` | ` (Pipe) | 1 | Symbol | Used in command syntax |
| 61 | ; (Semicolon) |
1 | Symbol | Ends statements in code | Right of L key |
| 62 | : (Colon) |
1 | Symbol | Separates time or paths | Shift + ; |
| 63 | ' (Apostrophe / Single Quote) |
1 | Symbol | Possession or string literal | Right of ; |
| 64 | " (Double Quote) |
1 | Symbol | Quotation marks | Shift + ' |
| 65 | , (Comma) |
1 | Symbol | Separates list items | Right of M |
| 66 | < (Less Than) |
1 | Symbol | Comparison operator | Shift + , |
| 67 | . (Period / Dot) |
1 | Symbol | Decimal point or end mark | Right of , |
| 68 | > (Greater Than) |
1 | Symbol | Comparison operator | Shift + . |
| 69 | / (Forward Slash) |
1 | Symbol | Division or path separator | Right of . |
| 70 | ? (Question Mark) |
1 | Symbol | Used in questions | Shift + / |
| 71 | Numeric Keypad (0–9, +, –, *, /, ., Enter) | 17 | Numeric | Used for fast numeric entry | Located on right side |
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