- For a list of keyboard shortcuts, see Table of keyboard shortcuts
or The
Alt key (pronounced or ) on a computer keyboard is used to change (alternate) the function of other pressed keys. Thus, the Alt key is a
modifier key, used in a similar fashion to the
Shift key. For example, simply pressing "A" will type the letter a, but if you hold down either Alt key while pressing A, the
computer will perform an function, which varies from
program to program. The international standard
ISO/IEC 9995-2 calls it
Alternate key. The key is located on either side of the
Space bar, but in non-US PC keyboard layouts, rather than a second Alt key, there is an '
Alt Gr' key to the right of the space bar. Both placements are in accordance with ISO/IEC 9995-2.