IBM i Function Keys
Common Function Keys
The following list of common function key assignments reflects the way that SMA has typically assigned function keys in the IBM i LSAM software. A general attempt has been made to conform to the typical function key assignments found in many of the IBM i display formats. This gives a consistent look and feel within the LSAM software and between the LSAM software and applications from other vendors who have chosen to conform to the typical IBM assignments.
| Function Key | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Help | Shows help text, when it's available. |
| F2 | Utility | Access to supporting utility functions. |
| F3 | Exit | Exits the current operation completely, returning to the menu or command entry line. |
| F4 | Prompt | Where supported, F4 accesses the IBM i command prompt. Otherwise, displays a prompt window or list for options on the screen. |
| F5 | Refresh | Redraws the screen with updated information. During ADD/CREATE operations, resets the data entry display to blank or default values. |
| F6 | Create | Creates or adds new records to a file. |
| F7 | Show Previous; Show Details; Re-assign list sequence numbers; general purpose key | Show DynVar Schedule Instances. In Operator Replay: DSPLBLWU displays a cross reference to all Script Steps where a Step Label is used. Otherwise, assigned to special purpose functions. |
| F8 | Show Next; Prompt Dynamic Variables | Displays a window listing registered Dynamic Variables for selection and insertion into a data entry display. |
| F9 | Prompt cursor commands; Print screen or list report. | In Operator Replay, F9 is used to display a list of cursor movement control sequences for insertion into the String to Send. Some programs support sending the displayed list to a printed report spool file. |
| F10 | Branch to Data Capture Rules; Display in Hex mode | In LSAM features that use captured data, branches to Select/Maintain Data Capture Applications. On some displays, changes the display to show over/under hexadecimal characters corresponding to printable characters on the line above the hex code. Sometimes used to change the columns of data in a list display. |
| F11 | Toggle list sort order, or list content | Switches the sort order of a list display. Sometimes used to change details that are shown on a list display. |
| F12 | Cancel | Cancels an operation, returns to previous screen. |
| F13 | More+; special purpose | "More+" = On many data entry displays, F13 brances to a dedicated data display to show an entire very large data entry field. Otherwise, used for special purpose function access. |
| F14 | Confirm updates or deletes | Confirm updates, typically confirming delete record action. |
| F15 | Subset | Limits the list on the screen to certain types. |
| F16 | Search/Search next | Either F16 or Enter may be used to start a search on list displays that show a Search content field. After a search finds the first result, F16 must be used to continue the search to the next record in the list that matches the search argument. |
| F17 | Top | On list displays, move the display to the first record in the list. |
| F18 | Bottom | On list displays, move the display to the last record in the list. |
| F19 | Window left | On lists with very long rows, shifts the display window to the left (towards the beginning of a row). |
| F20 | Window right | On lists with very long rows, shifts the display window to the right (towards the end of the row). |
| F21 | WRKJOB; command entry | Displays the IBM i Work with Job; access IBM i QCMD shell command entry. |
| F22 | Access utility functions | Provides access to supporting utility functions. |
| F23 | Prompt $VARs; utility functions | On displays that can use the $-System variable strings, shows a list of variables supported on that display. |
| F24 | More Keys | Displays more function keys if they are available. |