In common Windows and Microsoft Office shortcut keys, which action is performed by the F4 function key in Microsoft Word?

Introduction / Context:
Function keys across Windows and Microsoft Office applications are often associated with standard shortcuts. In Microsoft Word specifically, the F4 key has a very useful feature that can speed up repetitive formatting or editing tasks. It allows users to repeat the last command or action without going through menus again. This question checks whether you know the main action triggered by F4 in Word.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The context is Microsoft Word running on Windows.
• The function key in question is F4.
• The options include repeating the last action, displaying help, opening system properties, and displaying the desktop.
• We assume a default configuration without custom key remapping.

Concept / Approach:
In Microsoft Word, F1 is used for help, Alt+F4 closes the active window or program, Windows+Pause opens the system properties dialog, and Windows+D shows the desktop. The F4 key on its own is assigned to repeat the last action that the user performed, such as applying a format, inserting a shape, or performing certain editing commands. This is sometimes referred to as the "Repeat" command. Therefore, among the options given, the correct description for F4 in Word is to repeat the last action you performed.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the common function key shortcuts in Microsoft Word. F1 opens help, F4 repeats the last Word command, and function keys combined with modifiers perform other actions. Step 2: Examine option A. Option A states that F4 repeats the last action you performed, which matches the known behaviour in Word. Step 3: Examine option B. Displaying help is associated with F1, not F4. Step 4: Examine option C. Displaying system properties is normally triggered by Windows key plus Pause or Break, not by F4 alone. Step 5: Examine option D. Displaying the desktop is generally associated with Windows+D, not with the F4 key directly. Step 6: Conclude that option A correctly describes the F4 key behaviour in Word.

Verification / Alternative check:
Microsoft Word documentation and many keyboard shortcut guides state that F4 repeats the last action. For example, if you format text in bold and then press F4, the same formatting is applied to the next selection. Similarly, if you insert a row in a table, pressing F4 will insert another row. Users often use this to speed up repetitive formatting actions. Help guides that list function keys clearly assign help to F1 and do not attribute system properties or desktop display functions to F4 alone. This confirms that repeating the last action is the correct description for F4 in Word.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (To display help): The help function is mapped to F1, not F4, in most Windows applications including Word. Option C (To display system properties dialog box): System properties are opened via Windows key plus Pause or through Control Panel, rather than through F4. Option D (To display desktop): Showing the desktop is typically done with Windows+D or by clicking a special button on the taskbar, not F4.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes mix up the roles of function keys across different applications or operating systems. Because F1 and F4 both start with the letter F, some may incorrectly link F4 with help. Others may know that Alt+F4 closes windows and therefore think F4 is tied to system level actions like opening properties or the desktop. To avoid confusion, remember that plain F4 in Word is a powerful repeat key, F1 is help, Windows+Pause is system properties, and Windows+D is show desktop.

Final Answer:
In Microsoft Word, the F4 key is used to repeat the last action you performed.