F12
The F12 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key is most often used to open Firebug, Chrome Developer Tools, or other browsers debug tool. F12 also has other uses depending on the computer and program, as mentioned below.
How to use the F12 key
Open the program that uses the key and press F12. If the F12 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold down the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F12.
If when pressing the F12 key the secondary function is performed (e.g., mutes audio), the function keys are the secondary function. For example, on an Apple computer, to press F12, hold down the fn key, and press F12.
If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.
Information about what the secondary function may be is found on the below secondary function of F12 section.
If the F12 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some of the keys on my computer keyboard aren't working.
Where is the F12 key used?
The following list is all the locations the F12 key can be used, with information about how it's used.
Apple macOS
With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
Boot
Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (e.g., hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).
Internet browser
Open Firebug, Chrome Developer Tools, or other browsers debug tool.
Microsoft Excel
Save As option in Microsoft Excel.
Microsoft Expression Web
Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
Microsoft Word
- Open the Save As window in Microsoft Word.
- Ctrl+F12 opens a document in Word.
- Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
- Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
The secondary function of F12
For laptop keyboards and desktop computer keyboards with the Fn key, each function key has two functions. Unfortunately, there's no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below is a list of different keyboards and their secondary function for the F12 key.
- Apple keyboard F12 key
- Cooler Master keyboard F12 key
- Dell keyboard F12 key
- HP keyboard F12 key
- Lenovo ThinkPad F12 key
- Logitech keyboard F12 key
- Microsoft Surface F12 key
Apple keyboard F12 key
On Apple keyboards, the default F12 key primary function is to turn down the audio. Pressing the fn+F12 for the secondary function is F12.
Cooler Master keyboard F12 key
On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F12 secondary function to disable and enable the Windows key.
Dell keyboard F12 key
On Dell laptop keyboards, the F12 key secondary function is to mute and unmute the volume.
HP keyboard F12 key
On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with an airplane on the F12 key, the secondary F12 function enables and disables airplane mode.
Lenovo ThinkPad F12 key
On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with a star symbol, the F12 key secondary function opens a user-defined shortcut. The shortcut can be customized through the Lenovo Keyboard Manager.
Logitech keyboard F12 key
On Logitech keyboards with two right arrows pointing to a line, the secondary F12 function fast forwards or goes to the next track in supported media players. Logitech keyboards with "ns" on the key are used as an insert key.
Microsoft Surface F12 key
On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F12 key secondary function is the PgDn key.
Related keyboard shortcuts and keys
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.