The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word QWERTY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
Q
W
E
R
T
Y
More clues leading to the result QWERTY
- Leading characters in key operation
- Key order used to be limited in quantity
- Characteristic arrangement, Queen pulled up short trousers on youth leader
- First question before we try out keyboard
- Quantity we hand in to get a keyboard
- Within reduced amount, partners are said to provide so-called key arrangement
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Leading characters in key operation" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case leading characters in key operation = qwerty.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does QWERTY mean?
QWERTY adjective- Denoting a standard layout of keys on a keyboard for typing, in which the leftmost keys of the top lettered row are Q-W-E-R-T-Y.