Numeric keypad

Numeric keypad

A numeric keypad, numpad or tenkey for short, is the small, palm-sized, seventeen key section of a computer keyboard, usually on the very far right. The numeric keypad features digits 0 to 9, addition (+), subtraction (−), multiplication (*) and division (/) symbols, a decimal point (.) and Num Lock and Enter keys.^[1] Laptop keyboards often do not have a numpad, but may provide numpad input by holding a modifier key (typically labelled "Fn") and operating keys on the standard keyboard. Particularly large laptops (typically those with a 17 inch screen or larger) may have space for a real numpad, and many companies sell separate numpads which connect to the host laptop by a USB connection (many of these also add an additional spacebar off to the side of the number zero where the thumb is located, as well as an additional 00 key typical of modern adding machines and cash registers). It also provides a calculator-style keyboard for efficient entering of numbers.

Numeric keypads usually operate in two modes: when Num Lock is off, keys 8, 6, 2, 4 act like arrow keys and 7, 9, 3, 1 act like Home, PgUp, PgDn and End; when Num Lock is on, digits keys produce corresponding digits. On Apple Computer Macintosh computers, which lack a Num Lock key, the numeric keypad always produces only numbers. The num lock key is replaced by the clear key.

The arrangement of digits on numeric keypads is different from that of telephone “Touch-Tone” keypads, which have the 1-2-3 keys on top and 7-8-9 keys on the third row, instead of the reverse used on a numeric keypad.^[why?] This layout, which matches most modern calculators and cash registers, may be confusing for those who use one of these arrangements more often.

Numeric keypads are useful for entering long sequences of numbers quickly, for example in spreadsheets, financial/accounting programs, and calculators. Input in this style is similar to that of a calculator or adding machine.

Chinese input methods

The numeric keypad is used by some systems for input of Chinese characters, for example CKC Chinese Input System and Q9 input method.

Computer games

A 102-key PC US English QWERTY keyboard layout with the numeric keypad at the far right.

Numeric keypads are also used for playing some computer games where the player must control a character, for example roguelikes. Unlike arrow keys, the numeric keypad allows diagonal movement. For keyboards without a numeric keypad, some games provide alternative movement keys, such as classic Rogue's HJKL keys.

The numeric keypad can also be an alternative for navigation in computer gaming from the WASD keys. The mouse would be used in the left hand instead of the right.

References

1. ^ numeric keypad at FOLDOC