No Numpad? No Problem! How to Get a Numeric Keypad in Windows

Did you buy a laptop computer or a mini-keyboard and end up lacking your numpad? Many Windows functions work higher with a numpad, and it may be straightforward to underestimate its use till its gone. However not everybody needs a full-size keyboard, and only a few laptops come outfitted with numpads.

Nonetheless, there are many methods to make use of a numpad in your pc, even when your keyboard would not have one. Windows provides built-in options, and extra choices exist exterior your PC as nicely. Should you want a numpad to your laptop computer or keyboard, these options will suit your wants.

1. Windows 10 and 11’s On-Display Keyboard

The on-screen keyboard in Windows 10 and Windows 11 has a digital numpad that you should use. Whereas not all the time as quick as a keyboard numpad, the customizable choices accessible for the on-screen keyboard make it a worthy numpad emulator.

To entry the on-screen keyboard, you may take a couple of totally different routes. The quickest route includes holding down the Windows key + Ctrl + O to open the on-screen keyboard. You may as well flip the on-screen keyboard on or off from wherever with the identical keyboard shortcut.

Should you want to undergo Windows’ settings, comply with these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Choose Ease of Entry (Windows 10) or Accessibility (Windows 11).
3. Choose Keyboard.
4. Beneath Use the On-Display Keyboard (Windows 10) or On-screen keyboard (Windows 11), flip the slider to On.

When the on-screen keyboard first seems, there could also be no quantity pad. If that is so, you will have to click on the Choices button within the lower-right nook, after which examine Activate numeric key pad. Click on OK once you’re executed.

Lastly, press the NumLock button to convey up the keypad.

Now, each time that you must kind a quantity from the numpad, simply click on it on the on-screen keyboard. If you choose Hover over keys from the Choices window, you may also merely hover your cursor over a key instead of a mouse click on. By adjusting the hover period, you may also customise the time it takes earlier than it registers as a press.

Should you strictly need to use an in-built keyboard however want to save lots of display screen house, you may shrink down the keyboard to largely give attention to the numpad.

2. Numeric Keypad Emulators

For a more specialised and space-saving choice, you may obtain a numpad emulator. Whereas there are numerous choices, you need a digital numpad with the specs that suit your wants.

Numpad Emulator is one choice that gives quite a lot of options together with the power to scale the button-size, change what keys seem on the numpad, and place particular symbols utilizing alt codes with out an precise numpad.

Should you do not want any customizations, the digital numpad works simply as easily as Windows’ on-screen keyboard.

Obtain: Numpad Emulator (Free)

3. Laptop computer NumLock

Many laptops tackle the dearth of a quantity pad by together with a hidden numpad activated by the NumLock key. The numbers will normally be highlighted in a coloration totally different than that of the common keys. Should you’re making an attempt to find them, they typically share the 7, 8, and 9 keys within the high quantity row.

To activate the quantity pad, discover the quantity lock key (normally labeled NumLock, Num Lk, or Num). After finding it, search for the Fn or Alt key. If both the Fn or Alt key’s coloration matches the alternate numbers, press it along side the quantity lock key.

You may inform you’ve succeeded by the quantity lock key lighting on or off. Now, the alternate coloration keys will perform because the numpad to your laptop computer. Simply bear in mind to show quantity lock off afterward utilizing the identical key mixture.

4. iPhone and iPad Quantity Pads

There are a couple of app choices that allow you to use your iPhone or iPad as a numpad emulator, however not many function direct Windows help.

NumPad helps Windows so long as you employ a VNC server similar to TightVNC to hook up with your pc. Whereas the iOS app does value a small quantity, it is nonetheless cheaper and saves more room than an exterior numpad.

Obtain: Numpad ($3.99)

Obtain: TightVNC (Free)

5. Utilizing AutoHotKey as a Quantity Pad

If you’d like a built-in answer that does not require an on-screen keyboard or a laptop computer, AutoHotKey is a superb answer. Should you’re not acquainted with the app, take a look at our fast AutoHotkey information for newcomers.

This is a script that may allow you to press the Caps Lock key to ship your quantity keys as numeric keypad keys:

SetCapsLockState, AlwaysOff
#If GetKeyState("CapsLock", "P")
1::Numpad1
2::Numpad2
3::Numpad3
4::Numpad4
5::Numpad5
6::Numpad6
7::Numpad7
8::Numpad8
9::Numpad9
0::Numpad0

This script retains your Caps Lock key from doing its regular perform, however how typically do you employ that key anyway?

If you wish to use the Caps Lock key as a toggle for sending numeric keypad keys, exchange the primary two strains with this single one:

#If GetKeyState("CapsLock", "T")

Now, each time the Caps Lock is on, your numbers will perform as keypad numbers.

You are able to do all types of helpful issues with AHK and the numpad—you should use it to assist automate and pace up repetitive processes. Should you’re keen to experiment, you may clear up nearly any drawback.

6. Purchase an Exterior Numpad

If that you must use a numpad lots, you could need to purchase an exterior numpad. Exterior quantity pads are precisely what they sound like: a small numpad that you just hook up with your pc by way of USB or Bluetooth.

Whereas this feature prices probably the most, it does make it useless easy to make use of numpad keys in your laptop computer. The bodily keyboard makes it infinitely sooner to kind out a number of numbers too.

No Quantity Pad? No Downside!

With the six numpad choices above, you’ll discover a answer that most closely fits your wants. Whether or not you want a numpad for on a regular basis use or the occasional exercise, an emulator or exterior choice can pace up your typing.

Should you’re seeking to purchase a TKL keyboard, these options are excellent for you. It means you may nonetheless profit from the slim kind issue that TKL keyboards convey, however you do not have to be with out a numpad.