Stop Ignoring the Home, End, Page Up, and Page Down Buttons

Even if you're tech-savvy, you might not fully understand the Home, End, Page Up (PgUp), and Page Down (PgDn) keys. I initially dismissed them as outdated, like Pause/Break and SysRq. I was wrong.

What These Keys Do

These are navigation keys for rapid movement within web pages and documents. Home jumps to the beginning of a webpage or read-only document; End goes to the end. In editable text, they move to the beginning or end of the current line.

PgUp and PgDn scroll up and down in increments, similar to a scroll wheel. But why have them if we have scroll wheels?

These keys eliminate the need to use your mouse, keeping your hands on the keyboard (a goal also pursued by the AutoKeybo from CES 2025). Mastering them boosts document navigation efficiency.

While PgUp and PgDn might only save a second or two per scroll, these seconds accumulate throughout a workday. Reduced mouse use also minimizes hand and wrist strain, especially with ergonomic keyboards. They're also excellent for caret browsing.

Home and End are particularly useful for web pages. Instead of scrolling through a long article, simply press "End" to instantly reach the bottom.

Many programs utilize these keys (though functionality varies). They work in Microsoft Office/365, Google Workspace, video/audio editors, file managers (like Windows Explorer), code editors, and even YouTube (for video navigation).

Combining Keys for Enhanced Functionality

While basic scrolling is useful, combining these keys with Ctrl and Shift unlocks greater power.

For example, Ctrl Shift End selects text, skipping the top sections—a more precise alternative to Ctrl A.

In editable documents, Ctrl Home/End instantly jumps to the beginning or end. Here are additional useful combinations:

• Ctrl PgUp/PgDn: Switch between browser tabs or Excel sheets (Google Sheets uses Ctrl Shift PgUp/PgDn).
• Ctrl Shift PgUp/PgDn: Move tabs (browsers) or select adjacent sheets (Excel).
• Alt PgUp/PgDn: Horizontal scrolling (some apps like Excel and Sheets).
• Shift Home/End: Select text from the cursor to the beginning/end of the line.
• Ctrl Shift Home/End: Select text from the cursor to the document's beginning/end.
• Alt Home: Opens your homepage in the current browser tab.

Remember, behavior depends on the application. Experiment or consult application-specific documentation. For instance, Ctrl PgUp/PgDn in Word moves the cursor to the top of the previous/next page, while PgUp/PgDn alone scrolls.

Rebinding and Macros

If these keys aren't immediately useful, that's fine. Gamers might not need faster webpage navigation. I personally find PgUp/PgDn's scrolling too abrupt. However, my accountant friend finds them invaluable for horizontal scrolling in Excel.

You can rebind these keys to more useful functions, especially on smaller keyboards. Use keyboard software or tools like VIA (if compatible) to rebind or create macros. Assign them actions like Print Screen, media controls, song skipping, or launching applications.

Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn are powerful tools once mastered. Writers, programmers, accountants, and anyone working with documents, spreadsheets, or presentations will benefit. Give them a try!

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