
The Shift key is a
modifier key on a
keyboard, used to type
capital letters
Letter case is the distinction between the letters that are in larger uppercase or capitals (more formally ''#Majuscule, majuscule'') and smaller lowercase (more formally ''#Minuscule, minuscule'') in the written representation of certain langua ...
and other alternate "upper" characters. 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
A typewriter is a Machine, mechanical or electromechanical machine for typing characters. Typically, a typewriter has an array of Button (control), keys, and each one causes a different single character to be produced on paper by striking an i ...
, 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. 2 Type-Writer of 1878; the No. 1 model was capital-only.
On the
US layout and similar
keyboard layout
A keyboard layout is any specific physical, visual, or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key-meaning associations (respectively) of a computer keyboard, mobile phone, or other computer-controlled typographic keyboard. Standard keybo ...
s, characters that typically require the use of the Shift key include the
parentheses, the
question mark
The question mark (also known as interrogation point, query, or eroteme in journalism) is a punctuation, punctuation mark that indicates a question or interrogative clause or phrase in many languages.
History
The history of the question mark is ...
, the
exclamation point, and the
colon.
When the
Caps Lock key is engaged, the Shift key may be used to type
lowercase letters on many
operating system
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common daemon (computing), services for computer programs.
Time-sharing operating systems scheduler (computing), schedule tasks for ...
s, though not on
macOS
macOS, previously OS X and originally Mac OS X, is a Unix, Unix-based operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 2001. It is the current operating system for Apple's Mac (computer), Mac computers. With ...
or on Microsoft Windows keyboard layouts that have the
SGCAPS feature.
Labeling

The keyboard symbol for the Shift key (which is called
Level 2 Select key in the international standard series
ISO/IEC 9995) is given in ISO/IEC 9995-7 as symbol 1, and in ISO 7000 ''“Graphical symbols for use on equipment”'' as a directional variant of the symbol ISO-7000-251. In
Unicode
Unicode or ''The Unicode Standard'' or TUS is a character encoding standard maintained by the Unicode Consortium designed to support the use of text in all of the world's writing systems that can be digitized. Version 16.0 defines 154,998 Char ...
6.1, the character approximating this symbol best is U+21E7 (⇧). This symbol is commonly used to denote the Shift key on modern keyboards (especially on non-US layouts and on the
Apple Keyboard), sometimes in combination with the word "Shift" or its translation in the local language. This symbol also is used in texts to denote the Shift key.
Uses on computer keyboards
On
computer keyboard
A computer keyboard is a built-in or peripheral input device modeled after the typewriter keyboard which uses an arrangement of buttons or Push-button, keys to act as Mechanical keyboard, mechanical levers or Electronic switching system, electro ...
s, as opposed to
typewriter keyboards, the Shift key can have many more uses:
* It is sometimes used to modify the
function key
A function key is a key on a computer or computer terminal, terminal computer keyboard, keyboard that can be programmed to cause the operating system or an application program to perform certain actions, a form of soft key. On some keyboards/com ...
s. Modern
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
keyboards typically have only 12 function keys; Shift+F1 must be used to type F13, Shift+F2 for F14, etc.
* It can modify various
control and
alt keys. For example, if Alt-Tab is used to cycle through open
window
A window is an opening in a wall, door, roof, or vehicle that allows the exchange of light and may also allow the passage of sound and sometimes air. Modern windows are usually glazed or covered in some other transparent or translucent ma ...
s, Shift-Alt-Tab cycles in the reverse order, and using Ctrl-Shift-S could open a "Save as…" dialogue allowing to choose a new file name and directory instead of overwriting the current file.
* In most graphical systems using a mouse and keyboard, the Shift key can be used to select a range. For example, if a file is selected in a list, Shift-clicking on a file further down the list will select the files clicked on plus the ones in between. Similarly, when editing text a Shift-click will select the text between the click point and the text cursor.
* The Shift key can be used in conjunction with the arrow keys to select text.
* Holding Shift while drawing with the mouse in graphics programs generally confines the shape to a straight line, usually vertically or horizontally, or to draw squares and circles using the rectangle and ellipse tools, respectively.
* The Shift key can also be used to modify the
mouse
A mouse (: mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus'' ...
behavior on a computer. For example, holding Shift while clicking on a
link in a
web browser
A web browser, often shortened to browser, is an application for accessing websites. When a user requests a web page from a particular website, the browser retrieves its files from a web server and then displays the page on the user's scr ...
might cause the page to open in a new window, or to be downloaded.
* In some web browsers, holding Shift while scrolling will scan through previously viewed web pages.
* In mostly Pinyin Input Method, Shift key usually use to switch between Chinese and lowercase English.
* In older versions of macOS (10.12 Sierra and below), holding while performing certain actions, such as minimising a window or enabling/disabling
Dashboard
A dashboard (also called dash, instrument panel or IP, or fascia) is a control panel (engineering), control panel set within the central console of a vehicle, boat, or cockpit of an aircraft or spacecraft. Usually located directly ahead of the ...
or
Mission Control, makes the animation occur in slow motion. For some animations, holding will make the animation move just slightly slower, and holding will result in an extremely slow-motion animation.
* Pressing either Shift key when the screen is blank or the computer is asleep will wake the computer.
On some keyboards, if both Shift keys are held down simultaneously only some letters can be typed. For example, on the
Dell
Dell Inc. is an American technology company that develops, sells, repairs, and supports personal computers (PCs), Server (computing), servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, computer peripherals including printers and webcam ...
keyboard Model RT7D20 only 16 letters can be typed. This phenomenon is known as "masking" and is a fundamental limitation of the way the keyboard electronics are designed.
Windows specific
The following is a list of actions involving the Shift key for the
Microsoft Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
operating system.
See also
*
AltGr key
*
Command key
*
Option key
The Option key, , is a modifier key present on Apple keyboards. It is located between the Control key and the Command key on a typical Mac keyboard. There are two Option keys on modern (as of 2020) Mac desktop and notebook keyboards, one on each ...
*
StickyKeys
References
{{keyboard keys
Computer keys