How to Ten Key

While learning keyboarding, you may have learned how to use the numbers row at the top of the keyboard, however 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.touch-typing

On a computer, 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.number pad

Place your middle finger on the 5 key. Often, there will be a small dimple or ridge on this key so that you can easily find it by feel.

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. Without looking at your hand, practice typing combinations of the home row numbers, 4, 5, 6.

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.

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.

Type the 0 with your thumb. This is part of the "home row" position, too.

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.spreadsheets

Build your speed and accuracy. As you continue to use the ten-key, you will get more fluent at it. Do not look at your hands. Learn the ten-key by feel and you will be able to enter information with it much more quickly. Even if you are right-handed, you may want to learn to use the ten key with your left hand. This allows you to use your mouse in the right hand at the same time. Watch what you key in, to be sure you don't make any errors. Your speed will improve gradually, but your accuracy is important immediately, especially for keying in numbers.

For your 10 Key assignment, you will be adding large columns of numbers on a spreadsheet. Go back to my website and download the assignment called 10 Key Answer sheet. Get a copy of the 10 key student sheet from your teacher or download it from the website. The student sheet shows you the columns of numbers you need to add. Open the answer sheet and type your name and period in the provided space.

Click in the cell for Activity 1, problem #1 Start each problem with a + or an = If you forget to do this, your answer will not calculate correctly!!!

Then, key in the problem from the student sheet including a + between each number. The picture below shows #1 BEFORE you hit the enter key.

IF you get the problem right, the cell will turn green and you will get a point in the score column.

If you ever see something like the picture to the right, immediately hit CTRL+Z (Undo) and keep typing CTRL+Z until the white square and the #REF symbol in the score column go away.

Columns 1-3 are required practice and count on your grade! Column 4 is challenging as it adds different functions. It will be extra credit. Once you have at least 53 points, you have full credit, but you can get up to a score of 74 which will help you later on when some assignments get harder. Print your sheet when you are done and turn it in.

Information on how to 10 key from: Retrieved 1/24/2013