# 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:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/41 "2018-09-29T14:59:45Z")
This whole deal on the PC is a pain. I’ve had software that would not accept numbers typed on the number pad and would only work with the number row at the top, which trained me never to use the number pad unless I was going to type a lot of numbers and checked to see if the environment could use it. I think this is an old problem, maybe not relevant anymore, but it trained me that the number pad isn’t guaranteed to work and is therefore somehow weird and untrustworthy. On the other hand, using the Alt key to type special characters does not work on the number row at the top, which means it isn’t complete, either. What a mess. It could have been so simple. ---
**Author:** ![CelticKnot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/celticknot/32/3392_2.png) [@CelticKnot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelticKnot)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/42 "2018-09-29T20:41:47Z")
> [@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: Yes. The num lock key is too close to the backspace key, so I often hit it inadvertently (I’m a lousy typist) and am then infuriated when I attempt to hit a number and get something else instead. The desktop has a lovely light to tell you that Num Lock is on; I wish the laptop did too. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/43 "2018-09-29T20:58:31Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I have a soldering iron. For a small fee, your num-lock can stay on, no matter what. You’re going to need a magic soldering iron. There are utilities out there to turn numlock on or off. Sometimes the lock keys just flip themselves (in software) due to odd things going on in programs, a badly done keyboard reset command. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/44 "2018-09-30T04:56:09Z")
I find it easier to type numbers with the numpad. It’s just easier for some reason for me to know where the numbers are. I think it may have to do with numbers being the last thing you learned in typing class, and then taking a numpad typing program on my own. Except on my laptop, where, even though I use a keyboard on it most of the time (using it as a desktop), I leave numlock off so I can more easily use the built in keyboard if I need to. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/45 "2018-09-30T11:40:41Z")
Depends on whether I’m typing in a bunch of numbers, or a mix of alpha and numeric. For a longish string of numbers (6 digits or more) I’ll switch to the pad no matter what; when I’m typing in my address, say, I might use either the pad or the row of numbers up top for my zip or 4-digit house number (assuming it doesn’t auto-fill anyway once I start). ---
**Author:** ![blob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blob/32/489_2.png) [@blob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blob)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/46 "2018-09-30T12:02:18Z")
Lots of numbers = keypad (except on this laptop, doesn’t have one) Normal amount of numbers, here and there = keyboard I don’t keep the num lock on on my desktop keyboard because it’s got function keys (like delete) on the number pad. It’s very annoying to try to delete and getting a 4. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/47 "2018-10-01T00:45:33Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > 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. Windows key is next to Alt key and on its own opens the Windows menu but when combined does all sorts of things. The other key is the keyboard method of getting the right click menu from apps or the system, depending on where the focus is. This is not the complete list. Windows Key + L Lock computer Windows Key + R: Opens the Run menu. Windows Key + E: Opens Explorer. Windows Key + Up Arrow: Maximize current window. Ctrl + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager. Windows Key + F: Opens search for files and folders. Windows Key + D: Hide/display the desktop. Windows Key + M: Minimize all windows. Shift + Windows Key + M: Restore windows that were minimized with previous keystroke. Windows Key + F1: Open Windows Help and Support. Windows Key + Tab: Open Task view. Windows Key + Break: Open the System Properties I use the number pad for more than a couple of numbers, especially when entering in spreadsheets, otherwise, top row. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2018, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/48 "2018-10-01T09:20:04Z")
If the keyboard I’m using has a ten-key pad, I almost always use it for numbers. My mother did accounting, and she taught me to do ten-key touch typing on adding machines long before I learned touch typing on a full keyboard. It stuck with me well enough that it’s much faster than using the number row. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/49 "2018-10-04T14:41:18Z")
NumLock is always on. All the alternate functions are available on other dedicated keys (Home, PgUp, arrows, etc.) If I am typing text and the number 43 appears in the text I use the top row, just like they taught me in typing class. But when I’m doing data entry stuff, it’s the numeric pad. I can use it without looking and it’s much faster than the top row. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/50 "2018-10-04T15:18:51Z")
Even after 35+ years of practice, I’m still a lousy typist and cannot touch type. OTOH, I can 10 key by touch with the best of them. I use the number pad at every opportunity. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2018, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041/51 "2018-10-04T16:46:09Z")
> [@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. I never took a class solely for 10-key, but I did take something like 2-1/2 years of typing classes between middle and high school, so when I got the opportunity to use the 10-key, it was a pretty short learning curve. When I regularly taught classes on Excel and Word, I encouraged everyone to learn to 10-key, especially if they were job-hunting. If you already know touch typing, it takes about 3 hours to learn well enough, and all you really need to practice is a phone book or any other long column of numbers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-your-keyboard-number-pad/822041.md?page=2)