Understanding the Standard Keyboard Layout: Keys, Functions, and Uses

Did you know that Christopher Sholes invented the QWERTY layout we use today in keyboards back in 1872? Its purpose was to prevent typewriter jams by slowing down typing speed. The transition from typewriters led to the standard keyboard layout that we have today. Understanding the standard keyboard keys, functions, and uses can improve your productivity and allow you to unlock potential shortcuts that can provide quick access.

Do you know the purpose of PrtScn, SysRq, Scroll Lock, Pause, and Break keys on a standard keyboard layout? How about Insert, Home, End, and the F-Keys? This blog will explore the standard layout and elaborate on these key functions to improve use efficiency. Let's begin by understanding the sections on a standard keyboard.

Variation in Keyboard Layouts

Keyboards are used in many unique scenarios, such as office work, industrial applications, gaming, content creation, etc. Their versatility has led to innovation. The keyboard layout may change with applications. For instance, the designated number of key sets for office use differs for gaming.

A full-size or 100% keyboard like the MEETION MK009 Pro comes with a standard layout. 96%, 80%, 75%, 65%, and 60% keyboard layouts are available for different usage scenarios. For example, Gamers do not use the numpad. The manufacturers saw the opportunity and removed the numpad key sets to reduce the size, weight, and material requirement, lowering product costs.

However, we will remain focused on the 100% standard layout keyboard as it has the most sections to maximize productivity.

Sections on a Standard Keyboard Layout

A standard keyboard has four main sections: Alphanumeric, Function Row, Navigation & Arrow, and Numpad. Each of them has their purpose that we will discuss in this section:

Alphanumeric Section

The alphanumeric section is the most used in the complete keyboard layout. An estimated 600,000 people press the spacebar from the alphanumeric section every tenth of a second. It shows the importance of the section and its wide range of usage. The alphanumeric section has alphabets, numbers, and modifiers. These collectively have the most usage in any scenario possible. We can further divide the alphanumeric section into modifiers and alphas.

● Modifiers

These keys help modify the numbers and alphabet on a standard keyboard layout. There are "upper" characters on some of the keys. You can access those characters by using the modifiers. The picture below shows that the upper character on the key is > while the typical character is the dot. Let's get into these modifiers and their purpose.

○ Shift Key: The shift key helps access the “upper” characters or type in the uppercase alphabet on the keyboard. Pressing and holding the Shift key while pressing a letter key results in an uppercase letter. For example, holding Shift and pressing a one-number key usually results in a symbol (e.g., Shift + 1 = !). Users can spot the upper characters on the keycaps of their keyboard alphanumeric section.

○ Ctrl: The control (Ctrl) key helps perform shortcuts or functions that are otherwise hard to access using a mouse. Some of the most common shortcuts are Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+V for pasting, and Ctrl+Z for cutting.

○ Alt: The alternate (Alt) key also helps perform functions and access special characters. For example, you can use Alt+Tab to switch between open windows and Alt+F4 to close the current window.

○ Win: The primary purpose of the Win (⊞) key is to open the start menu. However, it also allows access to some shortcuts. For example, Win+D (show desktop) and Win+E (open File Explorer).

○ Fn: The function key (Fn) is usually part of laptops as tons of other functions may be needed for laptop usage. Some standard functions include Fn+F5, which might adjust screen brightness or volume.

○ Caps Lock: The word Caps means capital. It is the key to toggle between upper case and lower case letters. You can write everything in all CAPS without pressing the shift key in combination.

● Alphas

The Alphas section simply includes the symbols, alphabets, and numeric keys. It also consists of a spacebar. This is the most used section of the keyboard, and the QWERTY layout resides within it. The keys represent the letters A through Z, and the numeric keys (numbers 0-9) are also in this section.

Navigation & Arrow Keys

The navigation and arrow keys can drastically improve your productivity. They help you navigate within a document, website, game, or any other application. Here are its functions:

● Arrow Keys

The arrow keys help navigate and move the cursor within text fields and documents. The purpose of arrows is straightforward: up, down, left, and right.

● Navigation Keys

The navigation keys further enhance navigation speed and have some keys that provide direction functions.

○ Insert: It toggles between inserting text and overwriting it. By default, the insert mode is ON. You can turn it off by pressing the insert key, which will help overwrite the current text instead of inserting and pushing the older text forward in a line.

○ Home: It moves the cursor to the beginning of the line or document.

○ End: Moves the cursor to the end of the document or line.

○ Page Up: It scrolls one page up within a document.

○ Page Down: It scrolls down one page within a document.

○ Delete: Deletes the character in the cursor position or the selected item, like files or folders.

○ Backspace: Deletes the character left of the cursor or the selected text.

Numpad

The purpose of the numpad is to provide ease in entering numbers. Those who consistently enter numbers, such as bankers, accountants, and data entry professionals, frequently use the numpad as an efficient and comfortable way of inputting numeric data.

Numeric Keys: 0-9: Used for entering numbers.

Decimal (.): For decimal points in numeric entries

Plus (+): Addition

Minus (-): Subtraction

Asterisk (*): Multiplication

Slash (/): Division

Enter Key: Located on the numpad for executing calculations and commands quickly.

Num Lock Key: This key toggles the numpad between numeric input and navigation keys (home, end, arrow keys).

Function Keys

The function keys on the standard keyboard are the most underused. However, if we know their usage, we can easily create shortcuts to some complex tasks. Here are the uses of all the keys i the functions section.

● F1-F10 Keys

F1: Opens the help menu in many applications.

F2: Renames selected files or items.

F3: Opens the search function in various applications.

F4: Highlights the address bar in web browsers; Alt + F4 closes the active window.

F5: Refreshes the current page or window.

F6: Moves the cursor to the address bar in web browsers.

F7: Opens spellcheck and grammar check features in word processors.

F8: Used to enter Windows Safe Mode during startup.

F9: Refreshes fields in documents (e.g., Microsoft Word).

F10: Activates the menu bar in many applications; Shift + F10 acts as a right-click.

F11: Toggles full-screen mode in web browsers.

F12: Opens the "Save As" dialog box in Microsoft Office applications.

● Special Function keys

Escape (Esc) Key: Cancels or closes the current task, dialog box, or menu.

PrtScn: Captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard.

Scroll Lock: Once used to lock the scrolling function in text interfaces, it is now largely obsolete.

Pause/Break: Pauses screen output or stops a command in specific programs.

Some Useful Shortcuts for Daily Usage on Standard Keyboards

Shortcut Table for Text Formatting

Window Management Shortcuts

Navigation and System Shortcuts

Shortcuts for Basic Editing

We hope that the standard keyboard layout is clear to our readers. Be sure to try all these shortcuts to become tech-savvy amongst your peers. Improve your work efficiency and navigation skills today!

Visit the MEETION keyboard section for various standard keyboards and other gaming keyboard layouts. They provide quality with performance at a budget-friendly price tag!