The shift key is a key on a computer keyboard. It is used to type capital letters like this: "ABC" instead of lowercase "abc". The shift key is also used to type with keys that have more than one symbol on them, such as the number keys and those for punctuation marks. In this case it is used to type the "upper" characters , that is, the symbol that appear above the other. The symbol below does not need the shift key to be pressed. On an English keyboard, these are some of the characters that need the shift key to be pressed down in order to type them:. The way the shift key works is that it needs to be held down while the other key is pressed. Because of this, there are usually two shift keys, on the left and right sides of the keyboard, and they are held down using one of the little fingers while the other finger presses the other key. Instead of using the shift key, one can also use the caps lock or shift lock keys. This lets one type many uppercase letters at once without having to hold down the shift key all the time.
Navigation menu
Test your vocabulary with our fun image quizzes
The Shift key is a keyboard modifier key that allows a user to type a single capital letter and change the top number keys to a symbol. For example, pressing and holding the Shift key while pressing "a" generate a capital "A" and pressing the Shift and the number "1" creates an exclamation mark on US keyboards. It is on both the left and right side of the keyboard, below the Caps lock key, and Enter or Return key. The picture is a close up view and example of the Shift key. Unlike the other modifier keys, the Shift key is found on Apple computer keyboards and performs the same function as the PC. With Apple keyboard shortcuts, the Shift is represented as an up arrow, 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 was no uppercase and lowercase characters. To use the Shift key to capitalize letters, press and hold the Shift key, and push the letter you want to capitalize.
Shift key locations
There are typically two shift keys, on the left and right sides of the row below the home row. The shift key's name originated from the typewriter , where one had to press and hold the button to shift up the case stamp to change to capital letters; the shift key was first used in the Remington No. On the US layout and similar keyboard layouts , characters that typically require the use of the shift key include the parentheses , the question mark , the exclamation point , and the colon. When the caps lock key is engaged, the shift key can be used to type lowercase letters on many operating systems , though not macOS. In Unicode 6. This symbol also is used in texts to denote the shift key. On computer keyboards , as opposed to typewriter keyboards , the shift key can have many more uses:.
Toggle navigation shift key. Already a part of ShiftKey? Home Healthcare Professionals Healthcare Facilities. Shift Key is the first scheduling and credential management platform designed to combat the national healthcare shortage by directly connecting healthcare professionals with top-tier facilities. Call Us I agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
