Using the keyboard: important keys

In short: On the keyboard you type text and give commands. Besides letters and numbers there are special keys such as Enter, Shift, Backspace, Delete and the arrow keys.

In more detail: The German keyboard uses the QWERTZ layout. The special keys control how input works. Second layers give you characters such as @ (AltGr + Q) or € (AltGr + E).

In Depth

• Enter: Confirms or creates a new line.
• Shift: Hold for capital letters and upper symbols (for example ! above the 1).
• Caps Lock: Switches permanently to capitals.
• Backspace: Deletes the character left of the cursor. Delete: deletes to the right.
• Tab: Jumps to the next field or indents text.
• Space bar: A space. Esc: Cancels or closes dialogs.
• AltGr: For @ € { } [ ] \ ~.
• Ctrl, Alt, Windows key: Combined with other keys to make shortcuts.
• Arrow keys: Move the cursor. Home/End jump to the start/end of a line.
• Number pad: Number keys on the right, switched with Num Lock.

See also: Important keyboard shortcuts for beginners, Working with the mouse