Function Lock key

Dalton, Lorene 0 Reputation points

I have a new Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. It does not have a function lock key. I use auto text frequently. My auto text will not work if the Function Lock key is not activated. Where is the key???

  1. Dalton, Lorene 0 Reputation points

    THere is no FN key either

  2. Dalton, Lorene 0 Reputation points

    no, autocorrect is also turned on and that function activates the autotext when a 'misspelt' word is typed in - when I press ENTER upon seeing the autotext as a suggestion the autotext is inserted.

  3. Dalton, Lorene 0 Reputation points

    Reading the comment below, I will check this out. The issue is that sometimes the word/phrase I want to enter is activated by the F3 command and sometimes by the ENTER being pressed. If I need to keep checking whether the F3 is toggled to the correct mode (for want of a better term) this could become frustrating and time wasting.

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2 answers

  1. Jeronimo Fuerte 40,440 Reputation points • Independent Advisor

    On the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, there is no separate Fn or F Lock key. The instructions about pressing Fn to lock the function keys mainly apply to Surface keyboards or Type Covers, where the Fn key has a light and can toggle function mode. I would suggest installing/opening Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/surface/accessories/mouse-keyboard-center/microsoft-mouse-and-keyboard-center-download

    Could you please let me know the key combination that you are trying to use with Autotext? Is ALT+F3?

    1. Jeronimo Fuerte 40,440 Reputation points • Independent Advisor

      In Word, AutoText can work in more than one way:

      1. If Word recognizes the beginning of an AutoText entry, it may show an AutoComplete/ScreenTip suggestion, and pressing Enter inserts it.
      2. If the ScreenTip does not appear, you can type the AutoText entry name and use F3 to insert it.

      So if Enter works sometimes but F3 is needed at other times, it may be because Word is not always recognizing the typed text as a unique AutoText entry, rather than because the keyboard is toggled to the wrong function mode.

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  2. AI answer

    On Microsoft ergonomic and Surface-style keyboards, the top row keys act as special/media keys by default and become standard function keys (F1–F12) when the Fn mode is enabled or locked. Many newer Microsoft keyboards do not have a separate “F Lock” key; instead, they use the Fn key itself to toggle function mode.

    Use one of these behaviors, depending on the exact model:

    1. If it behaves like a Surface Keyboard / Surface Type Cover
      • The top row shows icons (volume, brightness, etc.) and also small F1–F12 labels.
      • Press Fn once to lock function mode. A light appears on the Fn key when function mode is locked.
      • Press Fn again to unlock and return to the special/media functions.
      When the Fn light is on, the keys send F1–F12 directly, which is what AutoText and other function-key shortcuts typically require.
    2. If it behaves like older Microsoft keyboards with F Lock
      • Some models have an F Lock key that toggles between standard F1–F12 and alternate commands (Help, Undo, Redo, etc.).
      • When F Lock light is On, standard F1–F12 work.
      • When F Lock light is Off, the alternate commands (Help, Undo, Redo, etc.) work instead.

    On your ergonomic keyboard, the “Function Lock” is therefore handled by the Fn key mode, not by a separate F Lock key. To make AutoText shortcuts that rely on F-keys work directly, enable/lock the function keys using the Fn key as described above.

    If the keyboard supports Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center, many alternate commands on the function row can also be reassigned there.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.
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