Using Function Keys (PF Keys) in ISPF

Function keys (PF keys) are essential for efficient ISPF navigation and operation. Understanding how to use function keys dramatically improves your productivity in ISPF. This tutorial covers the common ISPF function keys including PF1 (help), PF3 (end), PF7/PF8 (scroll), and PF13/PF14 (split/resize), providing a comprehensive guide to ISPF function key usage.

Function keys provide quick access to common operations without needing to type commands or navigate through menus. They're consistent across most ISPF panels, making them reliable tools for navigation and operation. Learning function keys is one of the fastest ways to become proficient with ISPF.

Understanding Function Keys

Function keys are special keys on your keyboard (or terminal emulator) that perform specific actions in ISPF. They're labeled PF1 through PF24 (or F1 through F24), and each key has a standard function in ISPF, though these can be customized.

Function Key Labels

ISPF panels typically display function key labels at the bottom of the screen, showing what each function key does on that panel:

1
PF1=Help  PF2=Split  PF3=End  PF7=Up  PF8=Down  PF12=Cancel

These labels help you know what function keys are available and what they do on the current panel.

Function Key Variations

Function key assignments can vary:

• Standard Assignments: Most ISPF panels use standard function key assignments that are consistent across panels
• Panel-Specific: Some panels may have panel-specific function key assignments for specialized functions
• Custom Assignments: You can customize function keys through ISPF Settings (Option 0) to match your preferences
• Context-Sensitive: Function key meanings may change slightly based on context (like in the editor versus in menus)

PF1: Help

PF1 (or F1) is the help key, providing context-sensitive help for the current ISPF panel.

Using PF1

To access help:

• Press PF1 (or F1) on any ISPF panel
• ISPF displays help information for the current panel
• Help explains what the panel does, how to use it, field meanings, and available options
• Press PF3 to return to the panel from help

Help Content

PF1 help typically provides:

• Panel description and purpose
• Field descriptions and expected values
• Usage instructions
• Function key information for that panel
• Related panels and topics
• Examples and tips

When to Use PF1

Use PF1 when:

• You're unsure what a panel does or how to use it
• You need to understand what a field means or what values it expects
• You want to know what function keys are available on the current panel
• You need guidance on using a specific ISPF function
• You're learning ISPF and want to understand features

PF3: End

PF3 (or F3) is the end key, which ends the current function and returns you to the previous panel or menu.

Using PF3

PF3 is used to:

• End the current ISPF function
• Return to the previous panel in the panel stack
• Exit from help screens
• Cancel operations (in some contexts)
• Navigate back through ISPF menus

PF3 Navigation

PF3 follows the panel stack:

• Each panel you visit is added to the panel stack
• Pressing PF3 returns you to the previous panel
• Pressing PF3 multiple times takes you back through multiple levels
• Eventually, PF3 returns you to the ISPF Primary Option Menu

PF3 in Different Contexts

PF3 behavior varies by context:

• In Menus: Returns to the previous menu level
• In Editor: May save and exit, or just exit depending on settings
• In Help: Returns to the panel you were viewing
• In Data Entry: May save and exit, or cancel depending on the panel

When to Use PF3

Use PF3 when:

• You want to go back to the previous panel
• You're done with the current function
• You want to exit from help
• You want to cancel an operation (in some contexts)
• You want to return to a previous menu level

PF7 and PF8: Scroll Up and Down

PF7 and PF8 are used for scrolling through content that doesn't fit on one screen.

PF7: Scroll Up

PF7 (or F7) scrolls up, showing content that appears earlier:

• Press PF7 to scroll up one screen
• Useful for viewing previous content in lists, editor displays, or help screens
• Moves backward through scrollable content
• Works in lists, editor, help, and other scrollable displays

PF8: Scroll Down

PF8 (or F8) scrolls down, showing content that appears later:

• Press PF8 to scroll down one screen
• Useful for viewing more content in lists, editor displays, or help screens
• Moves forward through scrollable content
• Works in lists, editor, help, and other scrollable displays

Scrolling in Different Contexts

PF7/PF8 scrolling works in:

• Member Lists: Scrolling through lists of PDS members
• Dataset Lists: Scrolling through lists of datasets
• Editor: Scrolling through file contents
• Help Screens: Scrolling through help content
• Job Output: Scrolling through job output displays
• Any Scrollable Content: Any panel with content that extends beyond one screen

When to Use PF7/PF8

Use PF7/PF8 when:

• Content doesn't fit on one screen and you need to see more
• You're browsing through long lists or files
• You need to navigate through help content
• You're viewing job output or other lengthy displays
• You need to move through any scrollable content

PF10 and PF11: Scroll Left and Right

PF10 and PF11 are used for horizontal scrolling when content is wider than the screen.

PF10: Scroll Left

PF10 (or F10) scrolls left, showing content to the left of the current view:

• Press PF10 to scroll left
• Useful for viewing wide records or datasets with many columns
• Moves the view to show earlier columns

PF11: Scroll Right

PF11 (or F11) scrolls right, showing content to the right of the current view:

• Press PF11 to scroll right
• Useful for viewing wide records or datasets with many columns
• Moves the view to show later columns

When to Use PF10/PF11

Use PF10/PF11 when:

• You're viewing wide datasets (like 132-column records)
• Content extends beyond the screen width
• You need to see columns that are off-screen
• You're working with wide editor displays

PF2: Split Screen

PF2 (or F2) is often used to initiate split-screen mode, allowing you to view two panels or two views simultaneously.

Using PF2 for Split Screen

To use split-screen:

• Press PF2 to initiate split-screen mode
• ISPF divides the screen into two areas
• You can display different panels or different views in each area
• Use PF9 (Swap) to switch between the two areas
• Press PF2 again or use other keys to exit split-screen mode

Split-Screen Uses

Split-screen is useful for:

• Comparing two files side-by-side
• Viewing one file while editing another
• Referencing documentation while working
• Viewing different parts of the same file
• Working with multiple datasets simultaneously

PF13 and PF14: Split/Resize Operations

PF13 and PF14 are typically used for split-screen operations, including resizing split-screen views.

PF13 and PF14 Functions

PF13 and PF14 may be used for:

• Resizing Split Screens: Adjusting the size of split-screen areas
• Split-Screen Management: Managing split-screen operations
• View Adjustments: Adjusting how content is displayed in split-screen mode

Note: Exact PF13/PF14 assignments can vary by ISPF version and configuration. Check your system's function key labels or help for specific assignments.

Other Common Function Keys

ISPF uses many other function keys for various operations:

PF4: Return

PF4 (or F4) often returns to a previous location or cancels the current operation, depending on context.

PF5: Rfind

PF5 (or F5) in the editor repeats the last FIND command, useful for finding the next occurrence of previously searched text.

PF6: Rchange

PF6 (or F6) in the editor repeats the last CHANGE command, useful for making the same change again.

PF9: Swap

PF9 (or F9) in split-screen mode swaps between the two screen areas, allowing you to work in the other area.

PF12: Cancel

PF12 (or F12) often cancels the current operation, discarding changes and returning to the previous state.

Function Key Customization

You can customize function keys through ISPF Settings (Option 0) to match your preferences and work style.

Customizing Function Keys

To customize function keys:

• Go to Option 0 (Settings) from the ISPF Primary Option Menu
• Select the function key customization option
• Assign commands, actions, or ISPF functions to function keys
• Save your customizations
• Customizations are saved to your ISPF profile and persist across sessions

Customization Considerations

When customizing function keys:

• Consistency: Use consistent assignments across different contexts when possible
• Frequency: Assign frequently used functions to easily accessible keys (PF1-PF12)
• Memory: Choose assignments that are easy to remember
• Standard Functions: Be careful not to override standard functions you use regularly
• Documentation: Document your custom assignments for future reference

Best Practices for Using Function Keys

Following best practices helps you use function keys effectively:

• Check Function Key Labels: Always check the function key labels at the bottom of panels to see what's available
• Use PF1 for Help: When unsure, press PF1 to get help about the current panel
• Use PF3 to Navigate Back: Remember that PF3 is your primary way to go back through ISPF
• Master Scrolling: Become comfortable with PF7/PF8 for vertical scrolling and PF10/PF11 for horizontal scrolling
• Learn Standard Assignments: Learn the standard function key assignments so you can use them without looking
• Customize Thoughtfully: Customize function keys to match your work patterns, but don't override standard functions unnecessarily
• Practice: Practice using function keys until they become second nature

Explain Like I'm 5: ISPF Function Keys

Think of ISPF function keys like special buttons on a remote control:

• PF1 (Help) is like a "?" button that explains what everything means. When you're confused, press it and it tells you what to do!
• PF3 (End) is like a "Back" button that takes you to the previous screen, like going back a page in a book.
• PF7/PF8 (Scroll) are like "Up" and "Down" buttons that let you see more of a long list, like scrolling through a long webpage.
• PF2 (Split) is like a "Split Screen" button that lets you see two things at once, like having two TV shows on at the same time.
• PF13/PF14 are like "Resize" buttons that let you make one part of the split screen bigger or smaller.

So function keys are like special buttons that do important things quickly, so you don't have to type long commands or click through lots of menus!

Practice Exercises

Complete these exercises to reinforce your understanding of ISPF function keys:

Exercise 1: Function Key Exploration

As you use ISPF, check the function key labels on each panel. Practice using each available function key and observe what it does. Document the function keys available on different panel types and note any variations. Build familiarity with function key assignments.

Exercise 2: Help Practice

Practice using PF1 for help on various ISPF panels. Press PF1 on menus, data entry panels, editor, and other panels. Explore the help content, scroll through it using PF7/PF8, and return using PF3. Become comfortable accessing and using help.

Exercise 3: Navigation Practice

Practice using PF3 to navigate back through ISPF. Start at the Primary Option Menu, navigate to different panels, and use PF3 to return. Track your navigation path and understand how PF3 follows the panel stack. Practice until navigation becomes intuitive.

Exercise 4: Scrolling Practice

Practice scrolling using PF7/PF8 and PF10/PF11. Open long lists, large files, or wide datasets and practice scrolling through them. Become comfortable with vertical and horizontal scrolling. Practice scrolling in different contexts (lists, editor, help, etc.).

Exercise 5: Split-Screen Practice

Practice using split-screen mode. Use PF2 to initiate split-screen, display different panels or files in each area, use PF9 to swap between areas, and practice resizing if PF13/PF14 are available. Explore split-screen capabilities and when they're useful.

Related Concepts