Are you wondering what the F12 key does and how to use it on your Mac? This post will explain the basics of the F12 key and how to use it on a Mac.
The F12 key is one of the function keys located at the top of most keyboards. On a Mac, this key is usually found in the row of function keys at the top right corner of your keyboard, right beside the “Eject” and “Power” buttons. The F12 key is used to open up various options in applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and other programs.
In Microsoft Word, pressing F12 will open up a “Save As” window. This window allows you to save your document with a different file name or in a different location. Pressing Shift + F12 will save your document in its current location and file name. Ctrl + F12 will open an existing Word document while Ctrl + Shift + F12 will print it out.
In macOS 10.4 or later versions, pressing F12 will show or hide the dashboard. The dashboard contains widgets that allow quick access to information such as weather forecasts, stock prices, and more.
If you find that nothing happens when you press the volume keys (F10, F11, or F12) on your Mac keyboard, you may need to check your keyboard settings. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts and turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” so that these keys can work properly again.
We hope this post has provided a better understanding of what exactly the F12 key does and how to use it on a Mac!
Using the F12 Key
The F12 key can be used for different purposes depending on the program you are using. In Microsoft Word, the F12 key opens the “Save As” window, allowing you to save your document in a different file format or location. If you press Shift + F12, it will save your document. Ctrl + F12 will open an existing Word document, and Ctrl + Shift + F12 will print your Word document. For those using macOS 10.4 or later, pressing F12 will show and hide the dashboard.
Reasons Why F12 Does Not Work on Mac
F12 may not be working on your Mac because you have enabled the Fn keys in the settings, which means that when you press F10, F11, and F12 volume keys on the Mac keyboard, they will no longer act as volume keys but instead they perform other functions that are normally associated with the Fn key. To fix this issue, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys and make sure it is checked. This should allow you to use the F10, F11, and F12 volume keys as normal again.
Activating F Keys on a Mac
Activating the F keys on a Mac is easy. First, open your System Preferences and select the Keyboard option. Then, click on Keyboard Shortcuts and select Function Keys in the list on the left. Finally, turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” or “Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” to activate the F keys. Once enabled, you can use the F keys to perform various tasks like adjusting the volume or screen brightness without having to press any other key combinations.
Using F Keys on a Mac Without the Fn Key
To use the F keys on a Mac without the Fn key, you will need to enable the settings that allow you to use them as standard function keys. To do this, open System Preferences (? Menu ? System Preferences). Then click on Keyboard or Keyboard and Mouse (depending on the version of Mac OS X you are running). Select the Keyboard tab and check the Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys checkbox. Once this is enabled, you should be able to use the F keys without having to press the Fn key.
Troubleshooting F12 Not Working
If you are having trouble with your F12 key not working, there are a few things you can try to resolve the issue. First, make sure the Fn (Function) key is unlocked. This is usually done by pressing and holding the Fn key while also pressing one of the function keys at the top of your keyboard (F1-F12). If this does not work, check to see if there is any dirt or grime on your keyboard that may be interfering with its functioning. You can also try running either the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter or the Keyboard Troubleshooter in Windows 10 to further diagnose any issues. Additionally, you can try turning off Filter Keys if they are enabled and make sure your keyboard drivers are up-to-date. If none of these steps work, you may need to replace your keyboard in order for your F12 key to working properly again.
Enabling F Keys
Enabling F keys is a simple process. First, make sure you have the “Fn” key enabled on your keyboard. To do this, press and hold the “Fn” key, then press one of the Function keys (F1 – F12). If the Fn key is enabled, you should see the F keys’ secondary functions printed on each of the Function keys.
If the Fn key is not enabled, you may have to press and hold the “Fn” key and then press an “Fn Lock” key to activate it. On most keyboards, this is usually a secondary action on the Esc key; so, to enable it, you would hold down Fn and press Esc. To disable it, you’d hold down Fn and press Esc again. Once that’s done, all of your F Keys should be working properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the F12 key can serve a variety of functions depending on your device and operating system. On Windows systems, it can open the Save As window in Microsoft Word, save a Word document, open a Word document, or print a Word document. On MacOS 10.4 or later, it is used to show and hide the dashboard. You may need to check your keyboard settings if you are having trouble getting the F12 key to work properly, as you may have inadvertently enabled the Fn keys in the settings.
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