What does F12 do?

[stuartr77]

In MS Outlook 2002, when I am typing a message, I often need to use the
backspace key. If I miss and hit the F12 key, the cursor goes ballistic. It
will randomly jump to another location, even a menu item, while I am typing.
It will sometimes even jump to a different window (such as back to the main
Outlook window), and even jumps to the folder list, opening a different
folder. This behavior continues even if I close and reopen Outlook.
Sometimes I can clear the behavior by logging off (switching user doesn't
work), but often I actually have to shut down the computer.
BTW, a similar anomaly occurs if I hit the F12 key in Excel 2002.
What is the F12 key actually supposed to do in those apps? Are there
specific actions tied to <ctrl>-, <alt>-, &/or <shift>-F12?

 

[Bob I]

Dunno about 2002, but in Outlook 2007 it is Save As. You could try
looking at "Shortcut Keys" in Help.

 

[stuartr77]

Thanx. No info found on the F12 key in either Outlook or Excel 2002 help.
Is there a way to see the actual reral-time mapping of a key, such asd after
a key has been redefined?

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

It is save as.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290938

: Thanx. No info found on the F12 key in either Outlook or Excel 2002 help.
: Is there a way to see the actual reral-time mapping of a key, such asd
after
: a key has been redefined?
:
: "Bob I" wrote:
:
: > Dunno about 2002, but in Outlook 2007 it is Save As. You could try
: > looking at "Shortcut Keys" in Help.
: >
: > stuartr77 wrote:
: >
: > > In MS Outlook 2002, when I am typing a message, I often need to use
the
: > > backspace key. If I miss and hit the F12 key, the cursor goes
ballistic. It
: > > will randomly jump to another location, even a menu item, while I am
typing.
: > > It will sometimes even jump to a different window (such as back to the
main
: > > Outlook window), and even jumps to the folder list, opening a
different
: > > folder. This behavior continues even if I close and reopen Outlook.
: > > Sometimes I can clear the behavior by logging off (switching user
doesn't
: > > work), but often I actually have to shut down the computer.
: > > BTW, a similar anomaly occurs if I hit the F12 key in Excel 2002.
: > > What is the F12 key actually supposed to do in those apps? Are there
: > > specific actions tied to <ctrl>-, <alt>-, &/or <shift>-F12?
: >
: >

 

[stuartr77]

So it says, here, in fine print... However, no SaveAs dialog box ever
appears, and the erratic changes in focus indicate some other action is being
called. I noted today that it even jumps between applications!
Thanx very much for the link to KB290938. That's loaded with good info!
However, my F12 behaves similarly in Word 2002 as it does elsewhere. I also
noticed that it was still in effect (in Internet Explorer) when I started
this response. Playing around with it today I discovered, thankfully, that
<alt>-F12 disables the chaos! So at least I no longer have to reboot!
Thanx again for your prompt replies!
stuartr77

 

[Bob I]

Perhaps you have a keyboard driver or software installed that is
intercepting F12?