User Guide

Keyboard Input

Software version: 5.0.4

Keyboard Input

You can use the keyboard to operate DreamCalc either by using keystrokes or by putting the calculator into the key focus mode.

Keystrokes

For many common tasks, using keystrokes is convenient and natural. For example, simply type "5 + (3 * 72) =", and you will see the keys depress automatically and the input appear in the numeric screen.

Keystroke input is not the same as "free text", however. Functions, such as "sin", are accessed by single key press short-cuts rather than by typing the name (to input the sine function, you would simply press "S" rather than typing out "s-i-n"). This method of input allows for speedier input once you are familiar with some basic keystrokes (see below).

It is also possible to use a combination of keyboard and mouse, for example you can press the keyboard SHIFT while clicking the calculator keys with the mouse.

Common Keystrokes

A full list of input keystrokes is presented below. However, some notable keystrokes are:

• Press "E" for [EEX].
• SPACE bar operates [+/(-)].
• The SHIFT key corresponds to [SHIFT] on the keypad.
• ESC or DELETE for [AC] (All Clear).
• Press "S", "C", "T" for Sin, Cos, Tan respectively.
• Press "R" for nth root function.
• ALT-S and ALT-R for [STO] & [RCL] respectively (see below).
• HOME key corresponds to [MODE].
• CTRL-I & CTRL-M to directly store and recall the MEM register.
• LEFT and RIGHT arrows operate the [ENG] key.
• You can use CTRL-C & CTRL-V for copy/paste as normal.
• Characters inputs "* / - + ^ % ! ( )" correspond to applicable operations.
• Keys on the numeric section of your keyboard control the corresponding keys on the calculator keypad interface.

Key Focus Mode

Press TAB to toggle the key focus mode. In this mode, the key with input focus is surrounded by dotted rectangle.

Key Input Focus

Press RETURN to activate the focused key.

Press "H" to show the key help hint (this is the same as right-clicking on the key).

DreamCalc's key focus behavior is similar to that of standard Windows input controls, however you should use the arrow keys to move input focus rather than TAB. You can also use the HOME and END keys to jump to the top and bottom of the keypad respectively, and PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN to skip multiple rows. In key focus mode, keystrokes other than RETURN and the arrow keys, work as normal.

Press TAB again to leave the key focus mode.

More About Keystrokes

Using SHIFT from the Keyboard

The keyboard SHIFT corresponds to the [SHIFT] key on the calculator. To access a shifted function, you should generally press the SHIFT keyboard key but release it prior to pressing the required function key. For example, to input the DOW function from the keyboard, type:

SHIFT (release and then) "8"
Inputs DOW (day of week - located on the [8] key).

Releasing the SHIFT key before pressing the next key helps DreamCalc to distinguish your keyboard input properly. Often it won't matter, but in some cases keystrokes may otherwise conflict. For example, holding SHIFT while pressing "8" on the keyboard would normally input the multiply (*) operation instead of DOW, as the "*" character is normally located on the keyboard's "8" key and takes precedence.

Store & Recall Keys

Press ALT-S and ALT-R for the [STO] and [RCL] keys respectively, followed by the key naturally representing the memory register you require. DreamCalc will know that the following key press should correspond to a memory register, rather than a function.

For example:

ALT-S then "M"
Stores the current value to the MEM register.

or,

ALT-R then "E"
Recalls the value stored the E register.

Keystroke Reference

Scientific Keys

The following lists default input keystrokes for each function. If the calculator is in base-N mode or the financial keypad is in use, other keystrokes may take precedence however (see below).

• Toggle keypad roll-up
  Keystroke: UP ARROW (or DOWN ARROW)
• Shift function key
  Keystroke: SHIFT
• CONST
  Access scientific constants on numerical keys
  Keystroke: K
• ENG
  SI engineering form (press repeatedly)
  Keystroke: LEFT ARROW (or RIGHT ARROW)
• MODE
  On-screen menus. Press again for next screen
  Keystroke: HOME
• S-MODE
  Change statistical mode
  Keystroke: SHIFT then HOME
• COPY/PASTE
  Copy or paste value from calculator
  Keystroke: CTRL+C / CTRL+V
• Close DreamCalc
  Keystroke: ALT+F4
• POLY
  Polynomial solver
  Keystroke: X
• Calculate nCr permutations
  Keystroke: SHIFT then X
• S-SUM
  Statistical SUM function menu
  Keystroke: ALT+U
• <n> nPr <r>
  Calculate nPr permutations
  Keystroke: ALT+F8
• S-VAR
  Statistical VAR function menu
  Keystroke: ALT+V
• PG <z>
  Gaussian integral over range [-INF, z]
  Keystroke: ALT+F9
• S-DIST
  Statistical DIST function menu
  Keystroke: ALT+D
• QG <z>
  Gaussian integral over range [0, z]
  Keystroke: ALT+F10
• DAT
  Add value to statistical data list
  Keystroke: INSERT or ALT+ENTER
• RG <z>
  Gaussian integral over range [z, +INF]
  Keystroke: SHIFT then INSERT
• Separator for complex or list input values
  Keystroke: "," (comma) or ";" (semicolon) or ":" (colon)
• zs <r>
  Standard z-score for two-sided confidence level r
  Keystroke: SHIFT then "," (comma) or ALT+Z
• <x>^-1
  Inverse of x (1/x)
  Keystroke: ALT+1 or ALT+NUM 1
• <x>!
  Factorial of x
  Keystroke: "!" (exclam)
• sqrt <x>
  Square root of x
  Keystroke: Q
• P→R <r + ti>
  Polar to rectangular coordinate
  Keystroke: SHIFT then Q or ALT+F11
• <x>²
  Square of x
  Keystroke: ALT+2 or ALT+NUM 2
• R→P <x + yi>
  Rectangular to polar coordinate
  Keystroke: ALT+F12
• <x> ^ <y>
  Raise to any power
  Keystroke: "^" (hat)
• <n> root <x>
  Calculate nth root of x
  Keystroke: R
• log <x>
  Base 10 logarithm of x
  Keystroke: O or ALT+L
• 10^<x>
  Calculate 10 raised to power x
  Keystroke: SHIFT then O
• ln <x>
  Natural logarithm of x
  Keystroke: L
• exp <x>
  Calculate e raised to power x
  Keystroke: SHIFT then L
• a b/c
  Input or convert to natural fraction
  Keystroke: Z
• d/c
  Convert to improper fraction
  Keystroke: SHIFT then Z
• DMS
  Input or convert to degrees, minutes & seconds
  Keystroke: ? or "'" (apostrophe)
• <x> logB <base>
  Logarithm in any base
  Keystroke: ALT+B
• hyp
  Hyperbolic function (i.e. [hyp]+[sin])
  Keystroke: H
• sin <x>
  Sine (sinh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: S
• asin <x>
  Arc-sine (asinh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then S
• cos <x>
  Cosine (cosh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: C
• acos <x>
  Arc-Cosine (acosh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then C
• tan <x>
  Tangent (tanh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: T
• atan <x>
  Arc-Tangent (atanh with [hyp] key)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then T
• DATE
  Input or convert to date value
  Keystroke: D or #
• STO
  Store a value to memory registers MEM, 0-9 or A-F
  Keystroke: ALT+S
• arg <a + bi>
  Argument (polar angle)
  Keystroke: A
• RCL
  Recall a value from memory registers MEM, 0-9 or A-F
  Keystroke: ALT+R
• abs <a + bi>
  Absolute value (magnitude)
  Keystroke: ALT+A
• Open parenthesis (or RPN stack roll up)
  Keystroke: PAGE UP or ( or [
• <a + bi> : conj
  Conjugate of complex value (CPLX mode only)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then PAGE UP or ALT+C
• Close parenthesis (or RPN stack roll down)
  Keystroke: PAGE DOWN or ) or ]
• M+
  Add x to MEM memory
  Keystroke: SHIFT then PAGE DOWN or ALT+NUM PLUS or ALT+"+" (plus)
• X<>Y
  Exchange X and Y stack values
  Keystroke: ALT+Y
• M-
  Subtract x from MEM memory
  Keystroke: ALT+NUM MINUS or ALT+"-" (minus)
• Numeric digit
  Keystroke: 7 or NUM 7
• DOY <date>
  Day of year (Jan 1st is 1)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 7 or SHIFT then NUM 7
• Numeric digit 8
  Keystroke: 8 or NUM 8
• DOW <date>
  Day of week (Monday is 1)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 8 or SHIFT then NUM 8
• Numeric digit 9
  Keystroke: 9 or NUM 9
• WKNO <date>
  Week number
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 9 or SHIFT then NUM 9
• Backspace
  Keystroke: BACKSPACE
• CLRMEM
  Clear memory options
  Keystroke: ALT+ESC
• All Clear
  Keystroke: ESC or DELETE
• Numeric digit 4
  Keystroke: 4 or NUM 4
• <f-date> 30A/360 <t-date>
  Difference of dates using 30A/360 rule
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 4 or SHIFT then NUM 4
• Numeric digit 5
  Keystroke: 5 or NUM 5
• <f-date> 30E/360 <t-date>
  Difference of dates using 30E/360 rule
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 5 or SHIFT then NUM 5
• Numeric digit 6
  Keystroke: 6 or NUM 6
• TODAY
  Today's date & time
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 6 or SHIFT then NUM 6
• Multiply
  Keystroke: NUM MULTIPLY or "*" (multiply)
• <a + bi> : real
  Real part of complex value
  Keystroke: ALT+NUM MULTIPLY
• Divide
  Keystroke: NUM DIVIDE or "/" (divide)
• <a + bi> : imag
  Imaginary part of complex value
  Keystroke: ALT+NUM DIVIDE
• Numeric digit 1
  Keystroke: 1 or NUM 1
• <x> MOD <y>
  Modulo of 2 arguments
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 1 or SHIFT then NUM 1 or M
• Numeric digit 2
  Keystroke: 2 or NUM 2
• <x> LCM <y>
  Least common multiple of 2 arguments
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 2 or SHIFT then NUM 2
• Numeric digit 3
  Keystroke: 3 or NUM 3
• <x> GCD <y>
  Greatest common denominator of 2 arguments
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 3 or SHIFT then NUM 3
• Add
  Keystroke: NUM PLUS or "+" (plus)
• <x> : iPart
  Integer part of number
  Keystroke: I or ALT+G
• Subtract
  Keystroke: NUM MINUS or "-" (minus)
• <x> : fPart
  Fraction part of number
  Keystroke: F or ALT+J
• Numeric digit 0
  Keystroke: 0 or NUM 0
• Rnd
  Rounds value to display precision
  Keystroke: SHIFT then 0 or SHIFT then NUM 0
• Decimal point
  Keystroke: "." (period) or NUM DECIMAL
• DRGC
  Convert input to the units of the calculator's angle mode
  Keystroke: SHIFT then "." (period) or SHIFT then NUM DECIMAL
• Toggle sign or input (-) in MAL mode
  Keystroke: SPACE
• Ans
  Last answer (or LastX in RPN)
  Keystroke: SHIFT then SPACE or ALT+X
• Input exponent value (also PI)
  Keystroke: E or P
• NUM
  Additional number theory functions
  Keystroke: SHIFT then E or SHIFT then P or ALT+K
• Enter or equals
  Keystroke: ENTER or "=" (equals)
• <x>%
  Percentage value calculation
  Keystroke: SHIFT then ENTER or %

Financial Keypad

If the financial keypad is in use, the following inputs take precedence.

• n# {i%, PV, PMT, FV}
  Number of payments register
  Keystroke: N
• 12×
  Enter 12*x to the number of payments register
  Keystroke: SHIFT then N
• i# {n, PV, PMT, FV}
  Interest rate register
  Keystroke: I
• 12÷
  Input x/12 to the interest rate register
  Keystroke: SHIFT then I
• PV# {n, i%, PMT, FV}
  Present value register
  Keystroke: V
• EAR <m-rate%>
  Effective annual rate
  Keystroke: SHIFT then V
• PMT# {n, i%, PV, FV}
  Payment amount register
  Keystroke: M
• EMR <y-rate%>
  Effective monthly rate
  Keystroke: SHIFT then M
• FV# {n, i%, PV, PMT}
  Future value register
  Keystroke: F
• INT {n, i%, PV}
  Calculate simple interest
  Keystroke: SHIFT then F
• NPV
  Net present value & related functions menu
  Keystroke: END
• BEG/END
  Toggle compound interest mode
  Keystroke: SHIFT then END or B
• IRR {cash-flow}
  Internal rate of return
  Keystroke: W
• SL <period> {n, PV, FV}
  Straight-line depreciation
  Keystroke: SHIFT then W
• MIRR <risk%> {i%, cash-flow}
  Modified internal rate of return
  Keystroke: U
• SOYD <period> {n, PV, FV}
  Sum of years digit depreciation
  Keystroke: SHIFT then U
• <f-date> PRICE <t-date> {n, i%, PMT}
  Calculate bond price as percentage of par
  Keystroke: P
• DB <period> {n, PV, FV}
  Declining balance depreciation
  Keystroke: SHIFT then P
• <f-date> YTM <t-date> {n, PV, PMT}
  Calculate bond yield to maturity
  Keystroke: Y
• AMORT <period> {i%, PV, FV}
  Amortize payments calculation
  Keystroke: SHIFT then Y
• CF0
  Input initial cash-flow value
  Keystroke: ALT+0 or ALT+NUM 0
• ROI {i%, cash-flow}
  Return on investment
  Keystroke: ALT+N
• CFj
  Input consecutive cash-flow values
  Keystroke: J
• Nj <N>
  Add N repetitions of last cash-flow input
  Keystroke: SHIFT then J

Base-N Mode

In the base-N mode, the following inputs take precedence.

• KB
  Show Kilobytes & multiples of 1024
  Keystroke: LEFT ARROW (or RIGHT ARROW)
• DEC
  Set decimal radix
  Keystroke: F7
• HEX
  Set hex radix
  Keystroke: F8
• BIN
  Use binary radix
  Keystroke: F9
• OCT
  Use octal radix
  Keystroke: F10
• <x> : SL
  Integer shift left
  Keystroke: < or ALT+LEFT ARROW
• <x> : SR
  Integer shift right
  Keystroke: > or ALT+RIGHT ARROW
• LOGIC
  Base-N logic function menu
  Keystroke: G
• Open parenthesis (or RPN stack roll up)
  Keystroke: PAGE UP or ( or [
• Memory register A and base-N digit
  Keystroke: A
• <x> REM <y>
  Integer remainder
  Keystroke: % or M or SHIFT then A
• Memory register B and base-N digit
  Keystroke: B
• <x> AND <y>
  Integer bitwise AND operator
  Keystroke: & or ALT+A or SHIFT then B
• Memory register C and base-N digit
  Keystroke: C
• <x> OR <y>
  Integer bitwise OR operator
  Keystroke: vert-bar or O or SHIFT then C
• Memory register D and base-N digit
  Keystroke: D
• NOT <x>
  Integer bitwise NOT operator
  Keystroke: "!" (exclam) or "~" (tilda) or N or SHIFT then D
• Memory register E and base-N digit
  Keystroke: E
• <x> XOR <y>
  Integer bitwise XOR operator
  Keystroke: X or SHIFT then E
• Memory register F and base-N digit
  Keystroke: F
• <x> XNOR <y>
  Integer bitwise XNOR operator
  Keystroke: R or SHIFT then F

See also: Calculator Input Style