F9 may refer to any of the following:

  1. F9 is shorthand for “Fine,” which is sometimes used in chat communication.

  2. The F9 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key is often used to open Mission Control on an Apple computer. As mentioned below, the F9 key also has other uses depending on the computer and program.

How to use the F9 key

Open the program that uses the key and press F9. If the F9 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold down the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F9.

  • How to use the F9 key.
  • Where is the F9 key used?
  • The secondary function of F9.
  • Where is the F9 key on my smartphone or tablet?
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

If when pressing the F9 key, the secondary function is performed (e.g., mutes audio), the function keys are the secondary function. For example, on an Apple computer, to press F9, hold down fn, and press F9.

Information about the secondary function is found in the below secondary function of F9 section.

If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.

Where is the F9 key used?

The following list is all the locations where the F9 key can be used with information about its use.

If the F9 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some keys on my computer keyboard aren’t working.

  • Apple macOS
  • Firefox and Edge
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Quark

Apple macOS

Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running the macOS X operating system.

Firefox and Edge

The F9 key enters and exits the Reader mode.

Microsoft Excel

Recalculates every workbook in Microsoft Excel.

Microsoft Word

Refresh document in Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Outlook

Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.

Quark

Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.

The secondary function of F9

For laptop keyboards and desktop computer keyboards with the Fn key, each function key has two functions. Unfortunately, there’s no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below is a list of different keyboards and their secondary function for the F9 key.

  • Apple keyboard F9 key
  • Cooler Master keyboard F9 key
  • Dell keyboard F9 key
  • HP keyboard F9 key
  • Lenovo ThinkPad F9 key
  • Logitech keyboard F9 key
  • Microsoft Surface F9 key

Apple keyboard F9 key

The default F9 key primary function on Apple keyboards is to fast forward in media players. Pressing fn+F9 for the secondary function is F9.

Cooler Master keyboard F9 key

On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F9 secondary function is one of the following options depending on the model.

  • With a single-color keyboard backlight keyboards, FN+F9 mutes the audio.
  • With a multiple backlight colors (RGB) keyboard, FN+F9 adjusts the repeat rate mode.

Dell keyboard F9 key

The F9 key secondary function on Dell laptop keyboards is to mute and unmute the volume.

HP keyboard F9 key

On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with two left arrows pointing to a line on the F11 key, the secondary F11 function rewinds or goes to the previous track in supported media players.

Lenovo ThinkPad F9 key

On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with a gear symbol, the F9 key secondary function opens the settings.

Logitech keyboard F9 key

On Logitech keyboards with a right triangle and two lines, the F9 key is used to play and pause in supported media players. Logitech keyboards with a line through a speaker on the F9 key mute and unmute the volume.

Microsoft Surface F9 key

On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F9 key secondary function is the Home key.

Where is the F9 key on my smartphone or tablet?

Smartphones and tablets don’t have keyboards like you’d find on a desktop and laptop and therefore don’t have an F9 key.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

  • F1
  • F2
  • F3
  • F4
  • F5
  • F6
  • F7
  • F8
  • F10
  • F11
  • F12

Fn, Function keys, Keyboard, Keyboard terms

  • How to change the default behavior of the function keys.
  • What are the F1 through F12 keys?
  • Keyboard help and support.