What the Spacebar key does
The spacebar types a space. It also plays and pauses media, scrolls a web page down by a screen (Shift+Space scrolls up), ticks checkboxes and presses focused buttons, and on a Mac triggers Quick Look in Finder. Command+Space opens Spotlight and Windows+Space switches keyboard layouts.
On a Mac
Space in Finder opens Quick Look. Command+Space is Spotlight and Control+Space (or Fn+Space on some setups) switches input sources.
On a laptop
Same. Gaming laptops sometimes offer a split or shorter spacebar; some Asian layouts split it into two keys.
Shortcuts that use the Spacebar key
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Space | Type a space; play/pause; scroll down |
| Shift+Space | Scroll up |
| Command+Space (Mac) | Spotlight |
| Windows+Space | Switch keyboard layout |
| Space in Finder | Quick Look |
| Ctrl+Space | Autocomplete in many editors |
If the Spacebar key is missing or not working
A spacebar that needs a hard press or only works on one side has a bent or unseated stabiliser; on mechanical keyboards you can reseat it. Test it below.
Test it here: click the tester, press the key, and it should light up green. A red key is stuck; a key that never lights up is dead or intercepted by the system. The full keyboard tester has the press log and more detail.
Click the tester, then press any key. Browser shortcuts are blocked while it has focus.
—
- key
- —
- code
- —
- keyCode
- —
none
Max at once: 0 (rollover)
None detected. A key held for more than 2 seconds is flagged.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the spacebar scroll the page? +
In browsers, Space scrolls down one screen when no text field has focus. Click into a text box first.
How do I type a non-breaking space? +
Ctrl+Shift+Space in Word, Option+Space on a Mac, or the HTML entity .
Why does my spacebar only work in the middle? +
The stabiliser bar that keeps the key level is out of place or broken. Remove the keycap and reseat it, or have the keyboard serviced.