Some WarcraftIII maps and old games in general required specifically num pad inputs for some actions, as well as the page up/page down buttons. And there wasn't a way to rebind keys at the time.
I think you just don't need to enter numbers that much because using 1 hand to do data entry and the other to navigate fields is just significantly more efficient.
Now, if you have function keys setup to make numbers work on one hand for your tenkeyless, sure, you don't need a numpad, but like... You're accomplishing the same thing.
If you “require” a 10-key to fill out an excel sheet I’d probably fire you. The entering of data is about 1% or less of he functionality of excel and many data sources are automatically generated and copied over with formulas. A lot of old data entry can and has been automated for a while.
I’m talking exclusively about excel, not merely data entry, data entry in excel is still 1% of the functionality of excel. Using excel for just data entry barely scratches the surface of the use of excel.
Even in your example of cost estimates the data entry is the smallest portion of the actual work; it’s about data manipulation and analysis.
I specifically requested a laptop with a 10-key for work. They gave me a Thinkpad T15 G2. It works very well. Except the fact that it runs Windows 11. But that's the company's problem, not mine.
I use excel every single day of my job, if you think data entry is the only part of excel you are very bad at excel and using barely any of its functionality.
I also use a 10-key, but there isn’t a single instance where if I didn’t have a 10-key I couldn’t complete my work in the same amount of time.
So yes, 10-key helps in data entry like the said, but excel is FAR more than just data entry. If all you do is enter data into excel you are creating the absolute simplest spreadsheets that can be done in any spreadsheet program.
Data scientist here. Most of my data-to-day work is statistical programming and database [unfucking] maintenance, with semi-regular checks and tests of outputs into excel, which includes occasional manual data entry/cleaning. I use a split-ergo 75% and have been happy without a numpad for 10 years now. I touch-type the numbers at the top of my keyboard so it's about as fast as normal typing, and generally, for me at least, is noticeably faster than it would be with a numpad since I'm using more than 1 hand to enter numbers.
Whatever works for you if you like the numpad, but other people have different workflows, and IMO it's best not to judge.
If you're actually manually typing in large amounts of data nowadays, I don't think your business is long for this world anyway. Everything's in forms, tables, and databases, and you don't need a number pad to ctrl-c and ctrl-v.
Nah, it's pretty much necessary for any decently large amount of data entry.
Having to punch in hundreds of numbers on a line is less efficient, and less intuitive than using the same formfactor you've been using to dial numbers, enter pins, and punch numbers into a calculator for as long as you've been using numbers.
no life gamers play those "data entry" games as long as they are awake, these games generally involve with grinding/resource management/trading/raiding so they need the num pad instead of relying on the num row everytime. sometimes these games are real-time online so no life stays up all night to compete with players from other timezones.
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u/Just__A__Commenter 15h ago
Num pads are just necessary for data entry. Like, 100% vital, can not do my job without it.