What is the option key?

I know this is an easy question, but it really erritates me
what is the option key in my keyboard?
is it the one with th eapple mark or is it the alt key or is it something else?

It's not just the Alt key either....The UK keyboard 'backspace' / ⌫ key actually bears the symbol: ← and so I've always thought of it as 'backspace'. Even though it's generally called 'delete' in the Mac world.
On a UK keyboard the 'delete' key is printed 'delete' and '⌦' to represent that it's a 'forward space'.
Shift gets an up arrow here and no text. I really don't know why this can't be standardized; or perhaps it is on the new keyboard.
Click to enlarge..
I think the Page Up/Down keys are different too.
kind regards
mrtotes

Similar Messages

HT4848 What is the "option key" reffered to in these instructions, I don't have a key marked options?

What is the "option key" referred to in the instructions for using a recovery disc?

The Option Key (along with Control and Command) will be on keyboards made by Apple and some 3rd party keyboards made specifically for Macs. Other USB keyboards will work but may have Windows-specific markings.
The key layouts from left to right on Mac keyboards are (bottom row):
Control - Option - Command - Space Bar - Command - Option - Control
If you are using a Windows keyboard, the layout is the same but they keys could be marked differently. In other words, the leftmost key will be the Control key when booted into MacOS regardless of what is marked on it for when you are booted into Windows OS.
Some compact keyboards might eliminate the left or right keys, but there will always be at least one set. For example it could be:
Control - Option - Command - Space Bar -
There are also symbols used to describe these keys in support documents.
^ is Control
A stairstep looking symbol is Option
A cloverleaf looking symbol is Command
Some people will refer you to the "Apple Key". There is no such thing but it is common for the Command key to be referred to this way as on many Apple keyboards the Apple Character is on that key. It is usually not on 3rd party keyboards, which is why you should always refer to it as the Command key, since referring to it as the Apple key will confuse many users. Apple never refers to this as the "Apple Key".
Alternative name for Option key is Alt, but again Apple never refers to it as Alt; it is there for Windows/UNIX compatibility.

HT1341 what is the option key?

what is the "option key"?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
On the Mac, the Option key appears as Alt key, so you can use the Alt key you want if you see that you have to press the Option key

HT204410 What is the option key?

Where is the option key on the iphone?

It's not just the Alt key either....The UK keyboard 'backspace' / ⌫ key actually bears the symbol: ← and so I've always thought of it as 'backspace'. Even though it's generally called 'delete' in the Mac world.
On a UK keyboard the 'delete' key is printed 'delete' and '⌦' to represent that it's a 'forward space'.
Shift gets an up arrow here and no text. I really don't know why this can't be standardized; or perhaps it is on the new keyboard.
Click to enlarge..
I think the Page Up/Down keys are different too.
kind regards
mrtotes

WHAT IS THE OPTION KEY ON A APPLE POWERBOOK 12 INCH?

hi there just wondering on a apple powerbook g4 12 inch where is the option button

it should be two keys to the left of the spacebar.

My keyboard freezes after using the option key... what gives?

I have a 17" MacBookPro with OSX 10.6.8
The problem: My keyboard key freeze after using the " option key" in Photoshop or when downloading a file using the option key.
I can usually use it 2 or 3 times before it makes a chirping cricket like sound… then my keys freeze up.? The only way to correct it is to restart.
Anyone else have or had this issue? it's frustrating. What's the deal?

hausman wrote:
tianmiao0304 wrote:
Thanks for your explanation!
Can I just bring my laptop to the nearest service center and get this problem solved directly? You know, usually it will takes several days to receive the backup keyborad, I can't wait
You'll have to phone the service center and ask. (When I lived not far from Lenovo's Canadian service center and wanted to bring in a ThinkPad for warranty repair they said that would be OK with them but my unit would be put on a queue the same as if I'd shipped it in. They simply didn't offer walk-in, while you wait service.)
In the interim it may or may not be possible to reattach the key, even just temporarily, depending on whether it wasn't put on properly at the factory or if it's physically broken in some way. Or you could use an external keyboard until Lenovo sends you a replacement, etc.
I've just call the local service center, he told me that he can not repair individual key, they can just replace the whole keyboard..... How bad luck I am!!!

Anybody can help me? I'm trying to start my computer and it shows this question mark. Then i restart it holding the option key and it shows this padlock with a password field. What should password should i put?

Anybody can help me? I'm trying to start my computer and it shows this question mark. Then i restart it holding the option key and it shows a padlock with a password field. What password should i put? I would appreciate any help

Contact Apple, or if you bought the computer secondhand, the previous owner.
(118258)

What is "hold down the option key" to get toolbar back?

I lost the toolbar and had instruction to reset tool bars and controls for windows. I was told to hold down the option key. What is option key?

Reference to the option key was found in the instructions to Reset toolbars and controls from support Mozilla.
Thank you for the info. Pressing the alt key does produce the tool bar temporarily. I can use bookmarks if I act quickly before the toolbar disappears. With your info I will go back and try to get the toolbar back permanently.

Muse tutorial katie cafe (3of7 @5:50) the options key = windows what?

muse tutorial katie cafe (3of7 @5:50) says I shoud use the options key to copy a section but as I don't use a Mac... what is the windows key for this?

On Windows you need to use the Alt key.
Cheers,
Vikas

I have a Seagate 2TB external hard drive partitioned with one partition of Snow Leopard (my computer is running Lion). Can't seem to reboot using the option key. Any ideas as to what's wrong?

I have a Seagate 2TB external hard drive with 3 partitions, one for Snow Leopard - my computer has Lion. I cannot seem to boot from this hard drive but I could yesterday. Any ideas?

Didnt help. The night I asked this question I was able to reboot from the external hard drive after running Disk repair (which said everything was fine). Tonight I have tried again and cannot boot from the external. So I tried the Safe Mode restart and then chose restart with the option key held down as well as shutting down and trying holding down the option key while turning on the power. I have never been able to reboot just choosing restart and holding down the option key. Whenever the reboot from the external has worked I've had to shut down and hold the option key while turning the power on. Now that is not working. My computer is brand new as is the hard drive. I don't know where to go from here.
I can access the drive just fine while I'm in Lion. I just can't boot up using it. Help!

My MacBook will not turn on properly. I have turned it on while holding the option key clicked the HD and now nothing. What is happening!?

I have tried everything. I don't no y my computer won't turn on. I pressed the option key while turning the computer on clicked the hd icon and now nothing just a grey screen and my mouse icon

Chipmunk International BV | Home | Aanbiedingen | Produkt Overzicht
If you don't have an account but would like to open one click here.
1301...
Model introduced: 2009
Serial number: W89380AH9GU (cleaned up from 'W89380ah9gu')
Production year: 2009
Production week: 38 (September)
Production number: 357 (within this week)
Model Number: MB881
Group1: MacBook
Group2: nothing
Generation:
Machine Model: MacBook5,2
CPU speed: 2.13GHz
Family name: A1181
Screen size: 13 inch
Screen resolution: 1280x800 pixels
Colour: White
Memory - flavour: DDR2-S-800
Memory - number of slots: 2
Memory - maximum total: 6GB
Memory - largest module: 4GB
Toebehoren en uitbreidingen bestellen:     Art#     Prijs
2GB SO-DIMM geheugen Mac 200pin DDR2 800MHz     A-3571      € 29,00 ex BTW
Power Adapter 85W voor MacBook (16,6v)     A-4020      € 18,00 ex BTW
Factory: W8 (Shanghai China)
External link: Repair guide by iFixit
Uitbreidingen: Uitbreidingsmogelijkheden van dit apparaat
Please enter any (extra) information you have on this model in the box below. (Type of Mac, CPU speed):
If you like this service and it has been of use to you then please donate us a dollar (just one will do). All donations no matter how small are greatly appreciated!

My ipod nano 6th gen fell out of my pockey and the screen cracked badly, is there any coverage for this under warranty? I just bought it a month ago. If not what are the options for getting it fixed

My ipod nano 6th gen fell out of my pocket and the screen cracked badly, is there any coverage for this under warranty? I just bought it a month ago. If not what are the options for getting it fixed? It is pretty frustrating, it fell from about 3 feet out of my pocket and now looks like it was beaten by a hammer.

Debbie:
deborahfromwindsor wrote:
he advises restarting by inserting the OSX disc and pressing down the C button to reboot from there then selecting disk utility, hard disk and repair.... Does he mean me to hold down the C key on the alpha keyboard or the ctrl key?
Should I just ask for my money back??? If it is a simple repair do I just literally push the disc in, push the power button and hold down the C button?
That's where I would begin, too, with
Repair Disk
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.TStatus of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it saysanything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need touse autility like TechTool Pro,Drive Geniusor DiskWarrior
First we need to determine if the issue you are experiencing with the computer is software or hardware based. Once we have gotten things sorted out there should be time enough to make you decision about keeping or returning it.
cornelius

I just upgraded to Lion only to get the message that I can no longer use my Office (word/excel/powerpoint). Why doesn't apple tell you these things. You'd think they wouldn't be interested in making money for their arch rival usoft. What R the options?n

What are the options other then to re-partition the disk and run lion in one and leopard in another. I suppose I can go over to Google and use their web tools which are compatible with Office. This *****. So much for backward compatability.

Apple makes the Operating System, not the 3rd party apps. In such a big step as upgrading the OS, the user would be the one responsible for making sure that any key apps that they use are compatible with the new OS before taking the step and upgrading.

How to find out what is the lock key for the computer

How to find out what is the lock key for the computer?

You don't.
If you forgot or lost the password, all you can practically do is reset it.
The manner in which you do so depends on what version of OS X you are running. The older versions utilize the reset password utility on your recovery/re-installation disk/drive.
On Lion, you use the following technique to reset the Administrators password:
Boot to your Lion Recovery Partition, by holding down the Option key while starting, and then selecting the Recovery HD as the boot choice.
Once booted, at the top of the screen is a menu ..., select Utilities / Terminal from the menu bar.
In the Terminal window, type “resetpassword” (without the quotes) and press return. A “Reset Password” window will open. Select your boot volume (your SSD drive) if it is not already selected. Select your administrators username from the menu labeled “Select the user account” if it is not already selected. Follow the prompts to reset the password. Restart the computer from the apple menu.

How to stop the option key from changing tools when trying to subtract from a selection?

How to stop the option key from changing my tools when I am trying to subtract from a selection?
I'm running CS3 on Mac OS Leopard, and the automatic tool switching slows me down, but even preferences doesn't show a way to turn this off.
Thanks for your help.

With any marquee tool, JUST holding down the option key should not switch tools. You need to explain the problem much more carefully, It's completely impossible to tell from your description whats going wrong.
automatic tool switching
The only preference related to this, is to do with the SHIFT KEY - "use Shift key for tool switch".

What is the option key?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for