What does the num lock key do?

Question

What does the num lock key do?

Answer 1

NumLock toggles between numbers and the stuff listed below the numbers - just like the caps lock key toggles between upper and lower case letters.   As an example   Go into word - type 4 several times -press the num lock key then press 4 some more times  

Answer 2

Sets the numeric keypad so it produces numbers rather than cursor movement.  This is generally a leftover from the early days of PCs, before the addition of the two keypads between the typewriter keypad and the numeric keypad.

It still plays one important (?) role, however:  It's necessary to produce those ALT-characters (♥, ♦, ♣, etc.)   They just won't work without it.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

enables and disables the num pad(numbers and keys on right part of key board)

only desktop keyboard has this facility..

Answer 4

Locks the number pad as "active."