You can even use it to set specific commands to improve your user experience. However, with your left hand busy controlling your game, it would only make sense for you to use the numpad with your right hand for additional controls. Some games need much more control than WASD. These make a numpad more useful for many people other than those working with large strings of numbers. Some programs also use these keys for dedicated functions, such as angle viewing and another set of arrow keys. You can easily reach for all of them without unnecessary steps, which makes it even more helpful for people who work on calculation tasks or spreadsheets. With a Numpad, you have dedicated keys for these mathematical symbols. It Provides Dedicated Function Keysĭo you know where the plus, minus, multiply, and divide symbols are without looking at your keyboard? And can you press any of them without using two fingers (maybe even both hands)? This greatly benefits people who take advantage of the numpad whenever they use their keyboards to type numbers. ![]() Your wrist comfortably rests on the table, while your fingers can easily reach all the keys on the numpad without even moving your hand. The numpad was designed to replicate the normal position of our wrists. So, aside from an increased chance of errors, using the number row instead of the numpad can also increase your chance of developing RSI. This can be even worse when you only use the number row because you must reach further to press the keys. The position of the keys on a keyboard isn’t natural for our hands and can cause repetitive stress on our wrists or even our elbows. Repetitive stress injury (RSI) is common for developers and typists because they spend long hours typing on a keyboard. Remember, it’s more difficult to detect these errors when typing numbers than letters, which makes a numpad very important for many users. ![]() When using the numpad with the correct finger placement, you’ll be able to minimize typographical errors. If you’ve been using the correct position for the numpad, you can type accurately without even looking at the keys you’re pressing. Improved AccuracyĪside from better efficiency, the placement of the keys on the numpad also helps minimize errors when typing. If you’re using four fingers for the numpad (thumb on the 0 key and one finger on each column), you can type much faster than someone who only uses the number row, regardless of their typing speed. Someone who practiced using the numpad when typing numbers can quickly press the number keys even without looking at them because of their placement. ![]() Aside from this, you’ll have to keep looking at the keys you’re pressing to ensure there won’t be errors with your input. This can take longer than using the numpad with one hand. When typing numbers without a numpad, you have to use both hands to reach all the numbers on the number row (which can be found at the top of the keyboard). In the sections below, I’ll discuss some of the advantages you can get from a numeric keypad to help you better understand why it’s still on some keyboards: 1. The numeric keypad or Numpad is an additional set of number keys on some keyboards, making it more versatile and usable for many people.Īlthough you can use a keyboard without the numpad, it will be challenging for some users, especially those who work on large strings of numbers and rely on special commands for better efficiency.
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