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Enter text and numbers

You’ll want to know how to enter text and numbers on your Pocket PC so you can enter passwords; create new contacts, appointments, tasks, and notes; and send e-mails and text messages. (For an even quicker way to enter information that already exists in Outlook on your PC—such as contacts, appointments, tasks, and notes—see Synchronize Your Device with a PC.)

Your Pocket PC gives you a choice of several ways to enter text and numbers. You can type using an on-screen keyboard (or an on-device keyboard if your Pocket PC comes with one); write with a stylus; and more. Except for the on-device keyboard, all the input options are accessed through the Input Selector icon at the bottom of the screen.

Whichever input method you use, you can make the text you type appear larger or smaller on the screen. Just tap Menu and then Zoom, and pick the percentage you want.

Here we explain how to:

Getting Started Links

If you have a device without a touch screen, start here.

Related Topics

To enter text and numbers using a keyboard that is displayed on the screen:
  • Tap the Input Selector icon [insert graphic of icon here] at the bottom of the screen. If the keyboard doesn’t appear, tap the arrow next to the keyboard icon to bring up the options, and tap Keyboard.
  • Use the stylus to tap the letters and numbers you want.
  • When done, tap OK to save your entry.
Tips
  • Use the Back key to erase the last letter or number you typed.
  • Use the Enter key to move to a new line.
  • Tap the 123 key at the upper left of the on-screen keyboard to access a numeric keypad and additional punctuation marks and symbols.
If your Pocket PC has a built-in keyboard, you can use it to enter text and numbers:
  • Slide out the keyboard and use your thumbs to type the numbers and letters you want.
  • When done, tap OK to save your entry.
Tips
  • Use the Del key to erase the last letter or number you typed.
  • Use the Enter key to move to a new line.
  • Press Shift to type a capital letter; press and hold Shift to type multiple capital letters.
  • Press the function key (usually a dot at lower left of keyboard) to access numbers or symbols instead of letters.
With Block Recognizer, you use a single stroke to write each letter, number, symbol, or punctuation mark. Block Recognizer then converts your strokes into typed text. To use Block Recognizer:
  • Tap the Input Selector icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap the arrow next to the keyboard icon to bring up the options; then tap Block Recognizer.
  • Use your stylus to write characters, numbers, and symbols in the designated writing area:
    • Enter letters by writing in the abc (left) area of the box
    • Enter numbers by writing in the 123 (right) area of the box.
    • Enter symbols and punctuation by tapping in either area of the box and then writing the desired character
Tips
  • For help with writing characters, tap the question mark near the writing area. Then tap Demo and the letter or symbol you need help with.
  • For capital letters, draw an upward stroke before writing the letter.
Letter Recognizer works much the same as Block Recognizer, except that you have three areas in which you can enter text and numbers: the far left input area for capital letters; the middle area for lowercase letters, and the far right area for numbers and symbols.