User profile for user: Wendi Ellis
Wendi Ellis Author
User level: Level 1
20 points

F-Keys not working within my programs

Hi guys,

I have to say I am completely frustrated with this. The normal F-key functions within Quark 6.5, Photoshop CS, Dreamweaver 8 and all my other programs are not working. When I hit the keys nothing happens. They will work for the system (dashboard, etc) so there's nothing wrong with the keys themselves. Now, I posted on the Quark forum to find out if it was an issue with Quark 6.5 and Tiger (because at first I thought it was just my Quark F-keys that weren't working) and they had me check style sheets, which I didn't have set for F-keys, so that wasn't the problem. They also had me go into my system preferences, keyboard shortcuts and turn them off to see if my program commands would then work and no, that didn't work either. And when I tried to add the application shortcuts within the system preferences Keyboard shortcuts box, it wouldn't let me at all. I am going crazy not being able to use my F-keys within my programs and was wondering if anyone has any solution for me! Please help - this is driving me insane!!

G4 powerbook 17", Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Feb 27, 2006 1:26 PM

Reply
7 replies
User profile for user: Dr. Smoke
Dr. Smoke
User level: Level 9
56,586 points

Feb 27, 2006 11:46 PM in response to Wendi Ellis

Hi, Wendi.

See "Mac OS X: Portables - Using Function keys with Exposé, applications, games."

On laptops, such as iBooks and PowerBooks, some of the F-keys (function keys) have dual functions:

- A hardware function, such as Eject or adjusting Volume or Brightness.

- A programmatic function, aka a software function, that an application program can assign, such as F9 in Exposé.

Such dual-funnction F-keys have both an F-label and a second label indicating the hardware function.

If an F-key has dual functions, by default you must press and hold the fn key, then press the F-key, in order for the F-key's programmatic function to execute, i..e. what your application expects as that F-key.

You can change this behavior by selecting Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features in the System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard tab. Then pressing a F-key would execute the programmatic function, and you'd have to press and hold the fn key to use the hardware function (Eject, Brightness, Volume, etc.) for which that F-key is also labeled.

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Reply
User profile for user: Dr. Smoke
Dr. Smoke
User level: Level 9
56,586 points

Mar 4, 2006 6:56 AM in response to Robert Ennis

Robert, I answered these other questions on the other topics you started.

Please observe the usual Discussions etiquette:

- Do not threadjack, i.e. post a different question (your VoiceOver concern) on someone else's thread (Wendi's fn key wquestion).

- Likewise, if you have a new question, start a new topic: one question to a topic.

Good luck!

😉 Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

F-Keys not working within my programs

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up