Suunnanäppäin

Suunnanäppäin is a Finnish term that translates to "direction key" or "arrow key" in English. These keys are typically found on a computer keyboard and are used to navigate within software applications, web pages, and text documents. They allow users to move the cursor or focus a selection up, down, left, or right.

Direction keys are essential for various computer tasks. In word processing, they enable precise text editing and cursor placement. In web browsing, they can be used to scroll through pages or navigate between hyperlinks. In many games, especially older or simpler ones, direction keys serve as the primary input method for character movement. Some software also utilizes them for menu navigation and selecting options.

The layout of direction keys usually consists of four separate keys arranged in an inverted T shape. Some keyboards may integrate them into the numeric keypad as well. While their primary function is directional movement, they are often used in conjunction with other modifier keys like Shift or Control to perform more advanced actions, such as selecting text over a range or moving the cursor in larger increments. The presence and functionality of direction keys are a standard feature on virtually all modern keyboards.