Shift key

A keyboard key that allows a user to type a single capital letter. For example, pressing and holding the shift key while pressing the letter "a" key would generate a capital "A". The shift key is commonly located on both the left and right-hand of the keyboard and is commonly located below the caps lock key and the enter or return key on US keyboards.

In addition to changing the case of the text the shift key is also used as a shortcut key to perform various different shortcuts. For example, holding down the shift key and pressing your arrow keys will highlight text in the direction of the arrow key you press.

Also see: Keyboard, Keyboard definitions, Modifier key