This little function detects the arrow keys on a keyboard. 2 Functions , one in an if else and the other in a switch case.

keypress.js

document.onkeydown = checkKey;

function checkKey(e) {
    e = e || window.event;
  
    if (e.keyCode == '38') {
        // up arrow
    }
    else if (e.keyCode == '40') {
        // down arrow
    }
    else if (e.keyCode == '37') {
       // left arrow
    }
    else if (e.keyCode == '39') {
       // right arrow
    }
}

/*************************/

document.onkeydown = function(e) {
    switch (e.keyCode) {
        case 37:
            alert('left');
            break;
        case 38:
            alert('up');
            break;
        case 39:
            alert('right');
            break;
        case 40:
            alert('down');
            break;
    }
};