Macro key

A macro key is a <a href="/facts/Keyboard_(computing)/MczF9LIS">keyboard</a> key that can be configured to perform custom, <a href="/facts/Computer_user/zQRzG0KG">user</a>-defined behavior. Many keyboards do not have a macro key, but some have one or more. Some consider a macro key to enhance <a href="/facts/Productivity/yXlzAjC2">productivity</a> by allowing them to do operations via a single key press that otherwise requires slower or multiple UI actions.
Custom behavior typically involves one or more <a href="/facts/User_interface/e9sPEWVD">user interface</a> (UI) operations such as keystrokes and <a href="/facts/Mouse_(computing)/fJpa1tUE">mouse</a> actions. For example, a macro key might be configured to launch a program. A <a href="/facts/Gamer/5WReI0U6">gamer</a> might configure it for rapid-fire. 
Some early <a href="/facts/Personal_computer/koaYfNce">PC</a> keyboards had a single key located on the lowest row of keys, either to the left of the <a href="/facts/Z/Bf1NUwpT">Z key</a> or to the right of the right <a href="/facts/Control_key/31XW606Y">control key</a>. Sometimes it was treated as a <a href="/facts/Backslash/SoV79KPp">backslash</a>, but its behavior varied. It generated a special <a href="/facts/Scan_code/sG1IBr8d">scan code</a> so that a program could associate unique behavior to it. 
Around 2010, some mice had a macro button with a similar utility.

Macro key open-in-new

Macro key