Fn Key Function

[dtgriscom]

I'm running Ventura 13.6. In multiple apps (e.g. Finder, Preview, Music, Google Chrome, Omni Outliner), -F is the shortcut for "View/Enter Full-Screen", and -E is the shortcut for "Edit/Emojis & Symbols".

And, System Settings/Keyboard has a "Press key to:" control, which can be set to "Change Input Source", "Emojis & Symbols", "Start Dictation (Press Twice)" or "Do Nothing".

So, it still would be nice if the key could be used in Keyboard Maestro triggers.

[Frankb]

@dtgriscom

So, it still would be nice if the key could be used in Keyboard Maestro triggers.

I'm afraid that's not going to happen.

If you want to use fn as a modifier because of the special position (bottom left), then do it with BTT. Many KM users use both apps. This has many advantages.

If you just need additional modifiers, then there is a KM macro that lets you distinguish between left and right modifiers. That means, left cmd + letter can trigger a different action than right cmd + letter.

[Airy]

@peternlewis

Generally, the Fn key is not a real key, not a modifier like Option or Shift, but instead is a hardware toggle, that toggles the meaning of the function keys between their function key behaviour and their hardware key behaviour.

The Fn key is not supported by the system Hot Key API.

It (the Fn Key, also called Globe) works for me, as a KM hotkey, using Sonoma. But in order to make it work I had to go into the System Settings / Keyboard page and switch "Press Globe key" to "do nothing." In fact, I've been using it for months without knowing that it wasn't supposed to work.

[Tom]

@Airy

But in order to make it work I had to go into the System Settings / Keyboard page and switch "Press Globe key" to "do nothing."

Well, I can use the fn key as trigger for a macro, but only the fn key (not any combo like fn-F).

I set the fn key to "nothing" like this:

but this doesn't change it (still can set the fn key as trigger, but no combos).

[Airy]

@Tom

(still can set the fn key as trigger, but no combos).

Okay, I understand and agree. I didn't realize that was what was desired. Maybe I didn't read far enough back in the thread.

[Frankb]

@Tom I have not tested this, but it should work. If you want to use fn + letter as a hot key, don't set fn to "do nothing" but to control. It won't show up, but fn should now be your right control key, which you don't have on most keyboards. There is a macro in the KM library that distinguishes between left and right modifiers. This allows you to trigger something with left control + letter (normal) and additionally with right control + letter (i.e. fn + letter).

I hope what I am telling you is correct.

Edit: By the way, this should also work with the Caps Lock --> right control. In my opinion, this is the simplest and most reliable method for Hyperkey, because a "real" modifier is pressed instead of four virtual ones.