If talking someone through a computer issue... would you say to hit "return" or "enter"?

Question

Both are the same function obviously... "Return" and "Enter"... but which do/would you say?

I remember the key used to be marked "Return" on old computers... but none of the keyboards I'm looking at now have any wording on the key... just a down/side arrow.

Answer 1

Enter...but a lot of the time people don't know what I'm talking about when I say that! Still say it though.....

Answer 2

I teach Information Technology in a college and we always say hit 'enter'. I also teach foreign students and because the key actually has the word 'enter' on it, that helps them. Personally I use the 'return' key - marked with a slight down and left arrow - when I'm working and hardly ever use the 'enter' key!

Answer 3

hi there

most modern keyboards are actually displaying the word "Enter". wheter it be the common one below Backspace, or the one next to Del, and 3 on the numeric part. Both do the same job, and are classed as enter.

I dont know the reason behind it, but thats its name, and 90% of people know it. If someone doesnt, then you know your gonna have a long night talking to them and helping them out.

If the client doesnt recognise Enter or Return though, try saying the big button, that is irregualr and not the long one at the bottom of the keyboard, which is the device that holds all the special keys that make letters appear on your screen...

that should let them know - hehe

Answer 4

It surely takes little effort to say hit the 'return' or the 'enter' key. That is, to refer to both. My desktop computers have unnamed return keys and named enter keys. My laptop only a named return key. If giving any advice to another person you would very soon establish what kind of keyboard they had so your question is slightly redundant, unless your communication style is truly awful and you cannot build rapport with the people you are trying to help.

Answer 5

Good question, if someone is using a PC, say Enter because that is what the key is titled. If said person is using a Mac, say return because again, that is the title of the key on a Mac keyboard.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

I would say the enter key

Answer 7

Mine says enter. So I would say enter to. It used to be return because of the old typewriters, they used to have return on them - I know cos I worked with them for long enough.

Answer 8

If you read the key.... it says Enter

Return is actually a left over from the days of typewriters when you either had to manually or electrically return the carriage to its starting position on a new line.

I would use Enter.

Answer 9

They are not the same on every program. Some treat enter by leaving the cursor where it is. Others use enter to create a new line. I use the term enter.

Answer 10

I would say "enter"
"return" was coming from old time, when people using writing machine had this "button" to perform carriage return.