Why are the numbers on the numeric keypad are different from the number keys on the top row of the keyboard? How to use either set of number buttons in Microsoft Word.
“I don’t understand why pressing a number on the main keyboard is different from the number pad (assuming you have one). Aren’t they the same number, no matter which one you press? ” Connie G, Zurich.
The number that appears in Word or Excel is the same, no matter which of the two rows you press, but computer detects that a different key is pressed.
Each key has its own key press code which software converts into a character.
The top row keys have key press codes – 48 (Zero) to 57 (Nine) which are the same values as the ASCII system.
But the number keypad has different key press codes – 96 (Zero) to 105 (Nine).
If you want to see this in action, get a utility like QiPress which displays the key press code as you type.
In most cases, the different keypress codes are converted to the same character on the screen. In Office it doesn’t matter if you press ‘5’ on the standard keyboard (code 53) or number pad (code 101) both will appear as the same character.
But some software or features are limited to one of the keypads. Occasionally this is a programming mistake where the developers have forgotten to allow for both key press codes.
In Office, especially Word, you can enter Symbols by holding down the Alt key then typing a number code on the number pad. For example, type the degree symbol by holding down Alt then pressing 0 1 7 6 on the number pad. Great but not much help with modern keyboards which often don’t have the number pad.
Top row numbers with Alt + X
You can use the standard ‘top row’ number keys to enter Unicode Hex code. 00B0 then Alt + X will enter the same degree symbol.
Why numeric keys for Alt codes in Office?
Why the number pad only for the decimal codes? The answer seems to be ‘history’. When Word was young, back in the Word for DOS days, all keyboards had a number pad. Microsoft has maintained the ‘number pad only’ setup even though it’s become increasingly outdated.
Since the introduction of the ribbon in Office 2007, holding down the Alt key has a new meaning. It’s the keyboard shortcut to the ribbon with numbers for the Quick Access Toolbar buttons.
Happily, there are other ways to enter symbols or characters not on the keyboard.
Fix F9 Fn Keys don’t work in Word, Office or Windows
Try the old Alt + X trick for Word and Outlook
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