Editing Num Lock

{{short description|Computer key}}
{{multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=May 2021}}
{{original research|date=October 2018}}
}}
[[File: Yahoo Keyboard.jpg|thumb|A keyboard with Num Lock turned on as indicated by a [[LED]]]]

'''Num Lock''' or '''Number Lock''' ('''⇭''') is a key on the [[numeric keypad]] of most [[computer keyboard]]s. It is a [[lock key]], like [[Caps Lock]] and [[Scroll Lock]]. Its state affects the function of the numeric keypad commonly located to the right of the main keyboard and is commonly displayed by an [[LED]] built into the keyboard.

The Num Lock key exists because earlier 84-key [[IBM PC keyboard]]s did not have cursor control or arrows separate from the numeric keypad. Most earlier computer keyboards had different number keys and cursor control keys; however, to reduce cost, IBM chose to combine the two in their early PC keyboards. Num Lock would be used to select between the two functions. On some [[laptop computers]], the Num Lock key is used to convert part of the main keyboard to act as a (slightly skewed) numeric keypad rather than letters. On some laptop computers, the Num Lock key is absent and replaced by the use of a [[key combination]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Press Fn+F8, F7, or Insert to enable/disable numlock|url=https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht117805|access-date=2023-09-18|website=Lenovo Support|language=en}}</ref>

Since [[Apple keyboards]] never had a combination of arrow keys and numeric keypad (but some lacked arrow keys, function keys, and a numeric keypad altogether), Apple has keyboards with a separate numeric keypad but no functional Num Lock key. Keyboards manufactured by Apple will instead use a [[Clear key|''Clear'' key]] but not all Apple manufactured keyboards will be provided with it.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Use your Apple Keyboard in Windows with Boot Camp|url=https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202676|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Apple Support|language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Numpad.svg|thumb|Numeric keypad]]
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Keys affected by Num Lock
! Key on <br>Numeric Keypad
! Num Lock On
! Num Lock Off
|-
| 1
| 1
| [[End key|End]]
|-
| 2
| 2
| [[Arrow keys|Down Arrow]]
|-
| 3
| 3
| [[Page Down]]
|-
| 4
| 4
| [[Arrow keys|Left Arrow]]
|-
| 5
| 5
| does nothing (usually)<ref>{{Cite web|title=keyboard - Has the '5' key on the numeric keypad ever had an alternate function in hardware?|url=https://superuser.com/questions/1143071/has-the-5-key-on-the-numeric-keypad-ever-had-an-alternate-function-in-hardware|access-date=2022-01-16|website=Super User}}</ref>
|-
| 6
| 6
| [[Arrow keys|Right Arrow]]
|-
| 7
| 7
| [[Home key|Home]]
|-
| 8
| 8
| [[Arrow keys|Up Arrow]]
|-
| 9
| 9
| [[Page Up]]
|-
| 0
| 0 (zero or comma) 
| [[Insert key|Insert]]
|-
|.
| <code>.</code> (dot) or <code>,</code> (comma)
| [[Delete key|Delete]]
|}

{{Keyboard}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{keyboard keys}}

[[Category:Lock keys]]

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