Control key

The Control key on a computer keyboard is a key that is used for pressing it in combination with other keys, enabling other keys on the keyboard to perform secondary functions. It is generally labeled as Ctrl (rarely, Control or Ctl is seen) on keyboards which use English abbreviations for key labeling.

You use the Control key in the same way that you use the Shift key – keeping it pressed down while pressing another character.

By doing so, certain commands are activated and actions are performed. The Control key thus serves as a shortcut for various commands.

The result is a control key combination , which can have different meanings depending on which program is running.

On Macintoshes, the Control key is called an Apple key or Command key.