Question: I'm developing a web solution to run in the clients existing portal. In this portal they already handle F1 differently from the default behaviour. 

I would like to add a "Help" icon to my solution that when clicked simulates pressing F1. Of course I would like the solution to be as cross browser compatible as possible but the final version will run solely in Internet Explorer 8 (and actually with the compatibility button pressed - GRRRR).

I have found numerous functions to handle pressing F1 but non that describes how to simulate pressing F1 programmatically.

I'm using jQuery 1.8.2 if that helps...

Thanks in advance

Answer: 
You can use this to catch the event in IE: 

* [Internet Explorer or any Browser F1 keypress displays your own help](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3405412/internet-explorer-or-any-browser-f1-keypress-displays-your-own-help)

and use these to fire the event:

* [Is it possible to simulate key press events programmatically?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/596481/simulate-javascript-key-events)
* <http://openwritings.net/public/javascript/simulate-pressing-key>
```
jQuery.event.trigger({ type : 'keypress', which : 112 });

```