Shift key
The Shift key is a keyboard modifier key that allows users to type a single capital letter and change the top number keys to a symbol. For example, pressing and holding Shift while pressing A generates a capital "A" and pressing Shift and the number 1 creates an exclamation mark on US keyboards.
On U.S. keyboards or QWERTY keyboards, the Shift key is the second-largest key. It is on both the left and right sides of the keyboard. On the left side, the Shift is below the Caps lock key and above the Ctrl key. On the right side, the Shift key is below the Enter or Return key and above the Ctrl key. There is often an upward-pointing arrow (symbol) on the Shift key. The picture is a close-up view and example of the Shift key.
Unlike the other modifier keys, the Shift key is available on Apple computer keyboards and performs the same function as the PC. The Shift is represented as an up arrow with Apple keyboard shortcuts, similar to that shown in our example picture.
With some TeleType machines, the Shift key was used to get the characters on the top row of a key. There were no uppercase and lowercase characters.
Shift key locations
Below is an overview of a computer keyboard with the Shift keys highlighted in blue.
How to use the Shift key
To use the Shift key to capitalize letters, press and hold the Shift key, and push the letter you want to capitalize. On U.S. keyboards, hold Shift and press the numbers on the top of the keyboard to type the alternate symbols (e.g., !, @, #, and $) of those keys.
On most computers (except those running macOS), if the Caps Lock key is enabled and you press Shift and a letter, the letter is lowercase.
The Shift key is also used with keyboard shortcuts. For example, holding down Shift and pressing the arrow keys highlights text in the direction of the arrow key you press. Below are other examples of shortcuts that use the Shift key.
Shift key shortcuts
Also, the Shift key can is be used with shortcuts in the Microsoft Windows operating system.
| Ctrl+Shift+Esc | Open the Task Manager. |
| Shift+Arrow Key | Holding down the Shift key while pressing an arrow key highlights text one character at a time in the direction of pressing the arrow key. If you also hold down Ctrl, it highlights one word at a time. |
| Hold down Shift | In some versions of Windows, when a disc is inserted into the computer, software automatically runs. This feature is called autorun. If you hold the Shift key, you disable this feature, and the software must be manually started. |
| Shift+Del | Pressing and holding down the Shift key while pressing the Delete key or deleting a file deletes the file without sending it to the Recycle Bin. |
| Shift+Tab | Moves back to the previous object. For example, clicking a tab while in a browser moves between each of the links on the web page. Pressing Shift+Tab moves between each of the links in the opposite direction. |
| Press Shift five times | Open Sticky Keys. Once activated, press both Shift keys at the same time to deactivate Sticky Keys. |
| Hold down the Right Shift for eight seconds | Open Filter Keys. |
| Left Alt+Shift+Num Lock | Open Mouse Keys. |
| Left Alt+Shift+Print Screen | Open High Contrast. |
How many Shift keys are on a keyboard?
There are two Shift keys on all computer keyboards today, including PCs, Apple, and Chromebooks (desktops and laptops).
Some keyboards may not have the word "Shift" on them but are still considered a Shift key. For example, there are some laptop keyboards with smaller Shift keys that only have an up arrow.
Why are there two Shift keys on the keyboard?
There are two Shift keys on a computer keyboard to help capitalize letters on both sides of the keyboard. For example, to make a capital "z," press and hold the right Shift, then press Z to make a capital "Z." Trying to make a capital "z" using only your left hand requires you to move your hand since the pinky cannot press both keys at the same time.
How many other keys can be used with the Shift key?
The Shift key is a modifier key, which means it could be used with any other key on the keyboard, including other modifier keys.
History of the Shift key
The first keyboard to have a Shift key was on the Remington No. 2 typewriter introduced in 1878. It had one Shift key on the left side of the keyboard.
Early punch-card machines that entered data into a computer using a punch card did not use a Shift key.
Where is the Shift key on the iPhone and iPad?
The Shift key is located at the bottom-left section of the on-screen keyboard on an iPhone or iPad. When the Shift key is gray, it is not enabled, and letters are typed as lowercase. When the Shift key is white and the up arrow is solid black, letters are typed as uppercase. When you tap the Shift key, the letters change from lowercase to uppercase on the on-screen keyboard. The reason for this is to let the user know the letters will be typed in uppercase.
