What is this key for? What is it called?

I have searched and searched, on Google, Wiki etc. but there's no mention of this key, not even in the manual:

http://www.paulofierro.com/images/secondaryEnterKey.jpg

On my MacBook Pro, it is placed in the bottom, between the Apple-key and the left-arrow key (on the right of the space bar).


What is it's use? What is it called? And why is the symbol also on the enter-key?

Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Dec 21, 2007 7:26 PM

Reply
3 replies

Dec 21, 2007 8:13 PM in response to madk

On my MBP it doesn't have a symbol, but instead says "enter," and has the exact same functionality as the "enter/return" key.

It's there for using the numpad. If you hit "num lock," then use keys 7,8,9,u,i,o,j,k,l,m,. it turns into a numpad equivalent to what's on the right edge of desktop keyboards. Much like a desktop, while you're using the number subscripts on these keys, there's always an enter key at the bottom right edge (makes it easier for entering long sets of numbers).

Even without num lock on, this secondary enter key still functions just like the primary enter key for regular functions.

Dec 22, 2007 3:20 AM in response to madk

The enter and return keys are not always the same function. Whether the enter key works differently depends on the particular laptop. I have some mac laptops where the enter key did not work as it does on a desktop, but my current MacBook Pro does work as expected.

Here is one difference. In MS Word, Shift+Enter inserts a page break, Command+Enter inserts a section break. Shift+Return does not have the same function.

There are probably other applications which distinguish between Enter and Return.

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What is this key for? What is it called?

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