What is Num Lock on a Keyboard?

Many have seen Num Lock, but not everyone knows what it is for. When you turn it on, you will definitely see how the LED lamp lights up, if this happens, it means that it is in working mode. Her help is needed when typing numbers in an additional keyboard.

What is the Num Lock button on the keyboard

Using this key can be compared to working on a calculator. Literally, Num Lock can be translated as fixing, blocking numbers. A quick transition from the cursor to numbers and back, by pressing only one key, is undoubtedly a convenience when working with a computer. When the mode is on, the buttons on the right allow you to dial numbers, codes. When turning off, you can safely use the cursor.

History: How the Num Lock Button Appeared

This story is rooted in 1984, the time the second generation of computers appeared. In order to save money, IBM decided to abandon the rather expensive cursor keys, which were separately taken out on the keyboard. By combining several buttons into one, they significantly saved on components, which made the cost of computers much cheaper.

Switching keys to 2 modes: cursor and digital from that moment on, it was carried out by pressing just one Num Lock. Now, in an age of constant progress, new products, on some laptops you may not find such a button. Time changes, functionality changes. Even in our time, there may be a need to use Num Lock when working with some programs, texts and much more.

Key ValueNum lock

When you turn on Num Lock, the meaning of the keys changes. Values ​​may be as follows:

This design is suitable for a conventional keyboard in which a button is present. You use a laptop and there is no button; during reconfiguration, letters will be automatically replaced by numbers. For each device, this is individual, but basically all the buttons will be on the right side.

Where is Num Lock on the keyboard

Upon closer inspection of the standard keyboard, in most cases you will immediately notice Num. It is located in the upper right corner. Seeing the numbers from 1 to 0, above the number 7 you can find it. When turned on, the light indicator will light. On laptops, netbooks it is significantly different. There is no digital one, it is located above the letters at the very top, but the button is present. When pressed, we print in numbers, when turned off by letters.

In new versions of gadgets, the keyboard is significantly cut down and there is simply no such button. What to do in this situation?

There are some tips on what to do if you need a button function:

1. The easiest way is to buy an additional usb keyboard. Its minus is that it requires additional investment. If by type of occupation you often type, work and go on business trips, the option of an additional keyboard is undoubtedly bad. Not everyone will like to carry not only a laptop, but also a load in the form of another keyboard. Has your laptop taken pride of place on the table and is not moving anywhere? Then yes, this option will do.
2. Once again, carefully examine your PC, look at the name of all the buttons. Did you see a button called "Num"? Great, this is what we were looking for. Usually it is located on the keys F11, F12. When you press 2 buttons, you activate the same functions if you had one button. Some keys will be replaced.
3. Using the on-screen keyboard. Perhaps the most effective and easiest way. Suitable for all gadgets, whether it is a tablet, laptop or netbook. It’s easy to find. We go to the "Standard Programs", look for "Accessibility" and find the "On-Screen Keyboard". If again there is no necessary button, then move on. In the options you need to click the resolution on "Turning on the numeric keypad."