what is scroll lock

Scroll Lock is a lock key found on most IBM-compatible computer keyboards. Its original purpose was to modify the behavior of the arrow keys, allowing them to scroll the contents of a text window instead of moving the cursor. However, the key is not frequently used today, and its functionality varies depending on the operating system and applications. Some modern programs that honor the original behavior of Scroll Lock include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project, and various text editors. When Scroll Lock is enabled, pressing the arrow keys may cause the entire spreadsheet or document to move, which can be confusing for users who are not aware of its status. To turn off Scroll Lock, users can simply press the Scroll Lock key again. The key is rarely used for its intended purpose and is not present on some reduced or specialized keyboards. It is also worth noting that Scroll Lock can affect navigation with arrow keys in programs such as Notepad++ and web browsers like Firefox or Chrome, but usually wont affect programs like Photoshop where navigational features are handled differently. Overall, Scroll Lock is a feature that is rarely used for its original purpose and may cause confusion for users who inadvertently enable it.