Choose Apple Menu > System Preferences.
Last updated on
Apr 27, 2021
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Also applies to Adobe After Effects, Adobe Bridge, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Fireworks, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, CS Live, Encore, Flash Professional, Photoshop Extended, Soundbooth
Issue
When you press one of the function keys in an Adobe application on Mac OS, the application does not perform the expected action. (The function keys are the keys at the top of your keyboard, labeled F1, F2, and so on.)
Solution
Do one or more of the following:
Disclaimer: Adobe doesn't support third-party software and provides these procedures as a courtesy only. For further assistance, contact Apple or consult Mac OS Help.
Solution 1: Bypass the keys' default OS-level commands.
Note: Use this solution only if your keyboard has a key labeled Fn.
To make Mac OS interpret F1, F2, and so on, as function keys, hold down the Fn key when you press a function key. For example, in an Adobe application that uses F1 as a keyboard shortcut, hold down Fn and press F1.
You can also make Mac OS interpret F1, F2, and so on, as function keys by default. (If you do so, then you can still perform those keys' OS-level commands by holding the Fn key when you press them.) Do the following:
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Click Keyboard & Mouse.
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Click the Keyboard tab.
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Select the option Use All F1, F2, Etc. Keys As Standard Function Keys.
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Quit System Preferences.
Solution 2: Change the keyboard shortcuts for Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces.
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Choose Apple Menu > System Preferences.
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Click Exposé & Spaces.
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Click the Exposé tab.
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Choose a different keyboard shortcut in each of the pop-up menus in the Keyboard And Mouse Shortcuts section. Choose a shortcut that does not conflict with the keyboard shortcuts in your Adobe application.
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If you use Spaces, then click the Spaces tab and choose a different keyboard shortcut in the To Activate Spaces pop-up menu.
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Quit System Preferences.
Solution 3: Change the keyboard shortcuts in your Adobe application.
You can change the keyboard shortcuts in many Adobe applications. Choose keys or key combinations that are different from the keys that are assigned to OS-level commands.
For instructions on customizing keyboard shortcuts, see the Help in your Adobe application or visit the Adobe Help Resource Center.
Additional information
This issue occurs when some of the function keys on your system are assigned to OS-level commands. For example, some keys adjust the screen brightness, control media playback, or activate Dashboard, Exposé, or Spaces.
On some keyboards, certain function keys are labeled to denote that, by default, these keys perform OS-level commands. Keyboards with these labels (icons) include the aluminum Apple Keyboard and the keyboards on some laptop Macintosh computers.
On all Mac OS X v10.5.x and v10.6.x systems, the default keys for activating Dashboard and Exposé features are F9 through F12. The default key for activating Spaces is F8.
