# Using your keyboard number pad **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 27, 2018, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041 "2018-09-27T17:47:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/21 "2018-09-28T15:41:06Z")
I don’t type a ton of numbers. Numlock always off, I use the numpad for the arrow keys, Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn. I can jump around a document pretty quickly that way. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/22 "2018-09-28T15:45:54Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Also, I remember PIN numbers visually, on the numeric keypad. I’d have to think very hard to type any of my PIN numbers on a regular keyboard without a numeric keypad. I do this too, and it is frustrating that telephones and computer keypads are not organized the same way. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/23 "2018-09-28T15:52:20Z")
I use the ones on top. Sorry. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/24 "2018-09-28T16:04:38Z")
> [@KMS94](#): > > I do this too, and it is frustrating that telephones and computer keypads are not organized the same way. I agree!! After doing a lot of data entry, I go to use the phone and my eyes start spinning! ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/25 "2018-09-28T16:26:43Z")
Sometimes out of necessity. I have one of [these keyboards](https://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-ultimate/). And I love it. It’s the best… …except when I’m trying to type in a complicated password with numbers in it. I’m not sure enough of my number touch-typing skills to risk burning up one of my three tries at a login before being locked out. So I do the numbers on the keypad. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/26 "2018-09-28T16:30:44Z")
> [@KMS94](#): > > I do this too, and it is frustrating that telephones and computer keypads are not organized the same way. I’ve always assumed that was because telephone keypads are descended from rotary dial phones (with the 1 at the top) while computer/calculator keypads were descended from adding machines and cash registers (with the 1 at the bottom). ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/27 "2018-09-28T16:41:24Z")
I’m old enough that I took a class on 10-keying, so I use the number pad if I’m doing more than 2 digits in a sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/28 "2018-09-28T17:06:38Z")
I use the number pad constantly at work, so I keep it on at home and use it there. Or I would, if we still had a functioning desktop or laptop there. Both have gone kablooey and we can’t afford to fix or replace them, so we’vebeen using the ipads exclusively. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/29 "2018-09-28T18:00:08Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > I use a full-sized keyboard most of the time and when I’m doing data entry (especially numeric-only data entry) the keypad is what I use. It’s a lot faster. Yep, I spent years keeping books and then more years doing 10-key input so I use my laptop’s keypad whenever I’m using numbers. The annoying thing is NumLk turns off anytime it reboots, sleeps, sits too long… ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/30 "2018-09-28T18:33:11Z")
I used to work in the brokerage industry and 10-key is second nature to me. I always use the keypad and throw a fit when the NumLock key gets turned off. Of course, I am the only one using my laptop, so it’s usually me who turns it off by accident. I still get all bent out of shape about it. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/31 "2018-09-28T18:51:57Z")
I’m a teacher and grades are numerical, so the keypad is always on. I just it all the time. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/32 "2018-09-28T19:12:20Z")
I have never EVER used the number pad - or anything to the right of , above, or below the insert and delete keys. Come to think of it, I’ve got no idea what those 2 keys at the bottom right, between ALT and Ctrl do either. Just clicked on them. Doubt I ever will again. Of course, I never had a problem using the F keys for most operations either. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/33 "2018-09-28T20:41:50Z")
I’ve had jobs in the past which required numerical data entry, and got into the habit of always using the number pad. It’s _much_ faster for me. When I bought my first personal laptop six years ago (I’d always had a desktop at home before), it did not have a number pad. I figured I’d get ussed to it; I never did. I’ll never buy another computer without one. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/34 "2018-09-29T01:03:12Z")
I use a numberpad a lot, if one is available. And laptop users, I’ve seen USB keyboards that are nothing but a numberpad, to be put next to a laptop. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/35 "2018-09-29T01:11:42Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > …And laptop users, I’ve seen USB keyboards that are nothing but a numberpad, to be put next to a laptop. Cool! Does it need a driver? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/36 "2018-09-29T01:33:59Z")
> [@stretch](#): > > I’m old enough that I took a class on 10-keying, so I use the number pad if I’m doing more than 2 digits in a sentence. > [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I used to work in the brokerage industry and 10-key is second nature to me. I always use the keypad and throw a fit when the NumLock key gets turned off. Of course, I am the only one using my laptop, so it’s usually me who turns it off by accident. I still get all bent out of shape about it. :smack: I learned to 10-key in my first job many years ago, and so I use the keypad. And yes I also smack my forehead and annoyance when the number lock key is off, even though I’m the one who did it. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/37 "2018-09-29T01:38:09Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > When you have to type numbers, do you use the keys above the letters or the separate keypad to the right? This, of course, assumes you have the separate keypad. > > I prefer the keypad and my NumLock is always engaged. My husband uses the pad for its other functions and disables the NumLock - that makes me say bad things when he uses my computer. :eek: > > Who’s with me? This is why computers are like underwear - using someone else’s should only be for unusual and dire circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/38 "2018-09-29T12:40:46Z")
I have a soldering iron. For a small fee, your num-lock can stay on, no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![Unintentionally\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unintentionally_blank/32/5418_2.png) [@Unintentionally\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unintentionally_Blank)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/39 "2018-09-29T13:46:48Z")
> [@Mr\_Shine](#): > > The number pad? Don’t you mean the \* and + pad, with several purely ornamental buttons there as well? Dont forget the enter key, conveniently located right next to your mouse thumb. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/40 "2018-09-29T14:39:57Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > This is why computers are like underwear - using someone else’s should only be for unusual and dire circumstances. I must embroider this on a silk pillow! 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041.md?page=3)