Caps Lock
Sometimes abbreviated as CAPS and CAPSLK, Caps Lock is a toggle key on a computer keyboard that turns the Caps Lock feature on or off. When Caps Lock is enabled, all typed letters appear in uppercase (LIKE THIS). When disabled, they appear (like this). The picture shows a keyboard caps lock key with an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) indicating whether it's enabled. In this example, the light is off, indicating that Caps Lock is disabled. Pressing the key once would turn on the light, indicating the Caps Lock feature is enabled. Caps Lock keys with no light indicator have it elsewhere, such as on the top-right portion of the keyboard, next to other indicator lights.
When engaging others on the Internet, typing everything in all uppercase is considered improper etiquette as most readers interpret it as YELLING.
Where is the Caps Lock key on the keyboard?
On most standard keyboards worldwide, the Caps Lock key is on the left side of the keyboard, above the left Shift key. However, some regional keyboard layouts may position it differently. Below is an overview of a computer keyboard with the Caps Lock key highlighted in blue.
Google Chromebooks do not have a Caps Lock key like the one shown in this picture. See where is the Caps Lock on a Google Chromebook section for further information.
How to enable and disable Caps Lock
To activate Caps Lock, press the key once. When the indicator light turns on, it indicates it's enabled. To disable, turn off, or unlock the Caps Lock key, press the key again. When disabled, the indicator LED turns off.
Some systems provide a sound or visual notification when Caps Lock is enabled or disabled. For example, certain operating systems can display an on-screen message or play a beep sound when Caps Lock is toggled.
Where is the Caps Lock on smartphones and tablets?
The Caps Lock function on the default smartphone and tablet keyboard works differently than the computer keyboard. To type in all caps on a phone or tablet, double-tap the Shift key (a key with an up arrow) to enable Caps Lock. If done properly, on Apple devices the arrow is shown with an underline, on Android devices the Shift key is highlighted. Double-tap the Shift key again to disable Caps Lock.
The picture shows the Shift key as a black up arrow next to the letter "Z" on an English keyboard.
Where is the Caps Lock on a Google Chromebook?
On Google Chromebooks, the Caps Lock key is replaced with the Launcher key (Search key). To turn Caps Lock on and off, press the Alt key and Launcher key or at the same time. See our Launcher page for further information and an example of this key.
Where is the Caps Lock key on the Colemak layout?
The Caps Lock key is replaced by the Backspace key on Colemak, which makes it easier and less stressful to correct typing mistakes.
What is the purpose of the Caps Lock key?
The Caps Lock key is a toggle key that lets you switch the letters on your keyboard from lowercase to uppercase. For example, if you press the Caps Lock key to enable Caps Lock, every letter you type is capitalized until you press the Caps Lock again.
Programs that don't require the case of text to be changed may change how the Caps Lock key functions. For example, in the Windows Narrator program, the Caps Lock key is known as the "Narrator key" and is used with other keys to perform Narrator shortcuts. In computer games, the Caps Lock key can be mapped to do something in the game, like switch weapons. Specialized keyboards like the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard call the Caps Lock key the "Mouse" key because it is also used to control the mouse cursor on the screen.
Why does the Caps Lock key have a letter A?
Some Caps Lock keys have a letter "A" next to the words "Caps Lock." This letter is shown as a visual representation of a capital letter for those not familiar with the Caps Lock key. In other words, it indicates that this key, when enabled, would make "A" and not "a" if you were to press the "A" key on the keyboard.
Caps Lock keys with this letter "A" may also show the "A" contained in an arrow, box, or what appears to be a house.
Should I use "CapsLock" or "Caps Lock" in my writing?
Both "CapsLock" and "Caps Lock" are correct. The Microsoft Manual of Style and Computer Hope uses "Caps Lock" with a space and capital "C" and capital "L." However, many PC keyboards use "CapsLock" with no space.
Cap, Case-sensitive, Computer abbreviations, Keyboard, Keyboard terms, Num lock