How to Ten Key

Typing lessons typically teach the use of the numbers above the keyboard for entering numerical data. That's fine, if you're typing the occasional address, but if you have a lot of numbers to enter, you should learn to use the ten-key, typically to the right of a standard keyboard. Like touch-typing, you can learn to key in data this way without looking.

Steps

  1. Image titled Ten Key Step 1
    1
    Make sure number lock is on. Press the Num Lock button until the corresponding light is on.
    • If the number lock is not on, pressing keys on the number pad will generally do the other thing that is written on them, typically some combination of arrow and page up/page down keys.[1]
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    2
    Place your middle finger on the 5 key.[2] Often, there will be a small dimple or ridge on this key so that you can easily find it by feel.
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    Place your index finger on the 4 (assuming a right-handed ten-key pad) and your ring finger on the 6. This is the "home row" position for ten-key work.[3]
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    4
    Without looking at your hand, practice typing combinations of the home row numbers, 4, 5, 6.
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    5
    Work in the numbers above the home row. Type the 7 with your index finger, the 8 with your middle finger, and the 9 with your ring finger. Bring your fingers back to the home row when you are done with each of these digits.
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    6
    Work in the numbers below the home row. Type the 1 with your index finger, the 2 with your middle finger, and the 3 with your ring finger. Return your fingers to the home row when you are done with each of these digits.
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    7
    Type the 0 with your thumb. This is part of the "home row" position, too.
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    Work on combinations of all 10 digits.
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    9
    Learn the decimal point key and work on entering decimal data. Type the decimal point with the ring finger. Practice typing decimal numbers.
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    10
    Learn by feel the location of the 'enter' key, the + symbol, and the /, *, and - symbols. You will press 'enter' with your pinkie, and this completes the "home row" position. You may reach the + with either your pinkie or your ring finger, whichever is most comfortable for you. These buttons enable you to type operations directly into most calculator programs, spreadsheets, and the like.
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    Build your speed and accuracy. As you continue to use the ten-key, you will get more fluent at it.[4]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    It seems like my fingers are too short and too long! What is the easiest way to remember the keys?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just try to adjust your hand and fingers to make it easier, or try stretching exercises for it.
  • Question
    When I have a space between numbers, which finger should be used for the space bar?
    Tomáš Břoušek
    Tomáš Břoušek
    Community Answer
    The other hand, left middle finger or index finger. Right hand is resting above your numerical keypad.
  • Question
    Why would anyone want to do this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's useful for people in the business world because their fingers don't have to move as much to hit the decimal point key, the plus sign, and more.
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Warnings

  • As with touch typing the main keyboard, use a relaxed, neutral hand position when doing ten-key work. If you have any pain or stiffness, take a break. Take steps to prevent repetitive stress injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • Keyboard with ten-key or separate ten-key pad.

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/n/numlock.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.mrkent.com/tenkeytutor/tutorhelpfile.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.mrkent.com/tenkeytutor/tutorhelpfile.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001689.htm
  5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lz_u7B8F9k

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 25 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 351,849 times.
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Co-authors: 25
Updated: January 11, 2023
Views: 351,849
Categories: Featured Articles | Typing Skills
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