While their primary function is to type, keyboards eventually evolved to a point where they started including extra keys that bring bonus functionality to increase convenience and efficiency.
Media keys, which allow you to control the media player you are using directly with these special keys, are a great example of this. With these keys giving you global shortcuts, efficiency and convenience take a significant leap compared to switching to the media player window and using the local shortcuts.
Even though not as common and apparent as the media keys, another example is the RMB key that you can find on some keyboards. As this is a key that you will only find in very niche keyboards, its functionality is a question that is commonly asked.
So, what is the RMB key on your keyboard?
The RMB key on your keyboard is the Right Mouse Button, which allows you to execute a right-click action without needing your mouse.
This key often comes in handy if you use the Mouse Keys feature in Windows to move the pointer with the keyboard or use a keyboard with a built-in touchpad, trackball, or TrackPoint.
While the RMB key on a keyboard is more of a niche function rather than a primary one, it definitely has some use cases, which we will be talking about in greater detail moving forward.
What Is the RMB Key on Your Keyboard?
The RMB key on your keyboard can be in a few different shapes and forms depending on the manufacturer’s decision, but its functionality remains the same regardless.
The RMB key on your keyboard is an exact duplicate of the Right Mouse Button you have on your mouse. As some keyboards have a touchpad, a trackball, or TrackPoint attached to them, the RMB key is a necessary addition, as, without it, the keyboard wouldn’t be able to provide complete mouse functionality.
As the RMB key on a keyboard and the RMB key on a mouse is entirely the same, you can use either for any scenario that requires pressing the RMB key.
If you landed here due to software requiring you to press the RMB key, which prompted you to search your keyboard for it, they have most likely meant for you to click the Right Mouse Button of your mouse, which should do the trick.
Now, let’s take a quick look at all the cases where the RMB key on a keyboard is necessary or handy to have.
Using Mouse Keys
Mouse Keys is a feature in Windows that allows you to control the mouse pointer with Numpad keys, meaning that you also use these keys to execute click actions.
That being said, the process for executing mouse clicks with the Mouse Keys feature’s own functionality can be very inconvenient, as it requires an extra keypress every time you need to alternate between different mouse buttons.
For instance, to press the Left Mouse Button and the Right Mouse Button in a row with Mouse Keys, you would have to press the “5” key on the Numpad, then the Minus (-) sign, and finally the “5” key again.
In such a scenario, having a separate RMB key on the keyboard comes in quite handy, as it allows you to invoke the right-click action with a single keypress at all times.
Keyboard with Touchpad
Keyboards with touchpads include an RMB key on the keyboard to provide complete mouse functionality on the keyboard, similar to how the touchpad on a laptop works.
In this case, the RMB key is often a clickable part of the touchpad or a button right below the touchpad.
Since this key is exactly the same as the RMB key on a mouse, there is no need for an external mouse if you have a keyboard with this functionality.
Keyboard with Trackball
Similar to keyboards with touchpads, keyboards with trackballs also include an RMB key, as not having this key would entirely defeat the purpose of attaching a trackball to the keyboard.
In the case of a keyboard with a trackball, the RMB button is usually located somewhere close to the trackball itself, similar to how a standard trackball mouse is designed.
Keyboard with TrackPoint
Finally, keyboards with a TrackPoint (the red dot that you can often find on Lenovo laptop keyboards) include an RMB key, as the TrackPoint exists to offer all the capabilities of a mouse.
In this case, the RMB key is located at the bottom of the keyboard, as there is no space around the TrackPoint for it.
What Is the LMB key on Your Keyboard?
Similar to the RMB key on the keyboard, the functionality of the LMB key is also something that is asked about quite often.
Just as RMB stands for Right Mouse Button, LMB stands for Left Mouse Button, and you will most likely find an LMB key on every keyboard that has an RMB key.
In some cases, it’s also possible to find an LMB key on multimedia keyboards as an entirely separate button.
What Is the MMB key on Your Keyboard?
The last of the three keys is the MMB key, which stands for Middle Mouse Button.
Unlike LMB and RMB, the MMB key may not be on every keyboard which contains the LMB and RMB keys, as its functionality isn’t as vital as these keys.
RMB Key on Keyboard vs. Menu (Application) Key
While the RMB key and the Menu key are very similar, they are not the same.
The RMB key on the keyboard directly mirrors the behavior of right-clicking with a mouse, whereas the Menu key will replicate this behavior in only some software that supports it.
Wrapping Up
While you won’t find the RMB key on many keyboards, there is no denying that it has its uses in some scenarios, especially if you would like to avoid using an external mouse.
A great example of such a scenario is operating multimedia software directly from your couch with a wireless keyboard.
While mouse functionality is useful in such a scenario, you definitely wouldn’t want an extra peripheral when you are sitting comfortably on your couch and looking for the movie you would like to watch.