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DreamCalc Scientific Graphing Calculator
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User Guide

Keyboard Input

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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.

Keystroke Hints

Right-click or hover your mouse over any key for function and keystroke information, as shown below.

Key Right-Click Hint

Right-Click on Keys for Help

Key hint and cursor behavior can be modified from the Options Windows.

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 Focus

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

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