UNIT 2

DATA ENTRY AND KEYBOARDING SKILLS

1. What are the various types of keys available on a computer keyboard?

Alphanumeric Keys Include the alphabet keys and number keys.

Keys associated with punctuation such as comma (,),
Punctuation keys period (.), semicolon (;), brackets ([ ]), parenthesis ({ }] and
so on.

Special keys labeled F1 to F12.They have different meaning

Function keys
depending on which program is running.

(i) Caps Lock key – When activated, causes all alphabetic

characters to be uppercase.
Toggle keys
(ii) Num Lock – To enable and disable the numeric keypad.

(i) Shift or Alt keys – To move the cursor in more than one
position at a time
Combination keys (ii) Ctrl key – It performs special operation with the
combination of other keys.

Arrow keys Left , Right, Up, Down arrows

Backspace key Deletes the character to the left of the cursor.

Delete key Deletes the character to the right of the cursor.

Used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the

Enter/Return key
beginning of the next line.
To send special codes to devices and to exit from programs
Esc key
and tasks.

2. Differentiate between Home keys and Guide keys

Home keys Guide keys

Home keys are A, S, D and F are Keys‘F’ and ‘J’ are called guidekeys for
for the left hand and ;, L, K, and left and right hand, respectively.
J for the right hand.
They are keys in the middle row Both contain a small raised tangible
of the keyboard that form the mark with the help of which the touch
base position of fingers when typist can place the fingers correctly on
typing. the home keys.
On numeric keypad, middle row On numeric keypad, key ‘5’ is the guide
keys 4, 5 and 6 are the home key.
keys.

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3. What happen when a key is pressed from the keyboard?

When a key is pressed, electrical signals are transmitted to a micro-controller in a

coded form to the computer describing the character which corresponds to that key.

4. What do you understand by Guide Keys? Name the Guide keys of a

(i) computer keyboard (ii) typewriter

Those keys which help in the placement of fingers on Home keys is called guide key.
They have a small raised tangible mark with the help of which the touch typist can
place the fingers correctly on the home keys.
(i) On a computer keyboard, keys ‘F’ and ‘J’ are called guide keys for left and right hand,
respectively.
(ii) The guide keys of a typewriter are space bar, shift key, arrow keys and enter key.

5. Explain the role of typing ergonomics.

Typing ergonomics provides logistic support for efficient and effective typewriting.
They are important to attain and maintain accuracy and speed. Some of these factors
included are as given below.
i. Sitting posture - While operating the computer keyboard, sit straight,slightly
bending your neck forward.

ii. Position of hands - Put your forearms at level with the keyboard and palms
down

iii. Monitor placement - Do not bend your neck while working on the monitor and
keep the upper border of screen at eye level.

iv. Mouse and keyboard placement - Keep the keyboard and mouse together at
an approximate distance of 20 cms, which will help in smooth and effortless
operation of keyboard.

v. Chair and table placement - Adjust computer chair and table to an optimal
height. The chair of the computer user must be supportive to his/her lower
back.

vi. Placement of matter to be typed - Place the matter for typing to the left or
right side of the keyboard

6. What is Touch typing technique?

In this technique, the typing is done using all the fingers to sense the keys for typing
without looking at them on the keyboard.
Touch typing improves typing speed and accuracy.

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 7. Why the use of various typing software is common now-a-days?

There are many typing software’s available which are free of cost and are
customised to learn typing efficientlyand effectively.
It is designed to learn typing skills on the computer.

8. Explain the colour indication in typing software.

In Rapid Typing tutor, the colour indication is as follows:

• Green letters denote right inputs.
• Yellow letters stand for right inputs exceedingthe acceptable
timeframe.
• Red letters denote wrong inputs within the acceptable timeframe.
• Orange letters indicate wrong inputs exceeding the acceptable
timeframe.

9. Mention the finger allocation of keys of the Bottom Row of computer keyboard.

- Z X C V B N M , .
First row/Bottom row
LF RF MF IF IF IF IF MF RF LF

A S D F G H J K L ; Second row/Home row

LF RF MF IF IF IF IF MF RF LF

Q W E R T Y U I O P
Third row/Upper row
LF RF MF IF IF IF IF MF RF LF

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Fourth row/Number row

LF RF MF IF IF IF IF MF RF LF

LF Little finger RF Ring finger MF  Middle finger IFIndex finger

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