Keyboards tend to be the main way of being able to enter text and numbers into a computer but when they cause problems it is worth looking at some alternatives or short cuts. Microsoft offer an overview of keyboard use.

• Making Your Keyboard Easier to Use

  AbilityNet offer advice on this subject and there are changes that can be made to speed at which keys respond to your typing and blink rate of the cursor. See Microsoft guides for other Keyboard changes.

• Caps lock key mistakes

  It is possible to be warned with a bleep that you have hit the Caps Lock key – using toggle keys in settings. Alternatively, if you have made the mistake in Word, try highlighting the text and using Shift + F3 to change it to the way you wish it to appear.

• Practise Typing skills
  There is a free on-line test and lessons available from Senselang

• Want to use the mouse on the keyboard

  Try mousekeys if you have a numeric keyboard. You may like to improve the speed you can navigate with arrow keys rather than using the mouse click by playing River Kayaking

• Using keyboard shortcuts and other languages

  Using keyboard shortcuts whilst working on the internet can speed tasks. If you do not want to change your keyboard permanently to another language you can use the onscreen keyboard. You can also set up hot keys for actions by downloading Autohotkey or pick codes from a list for accents and other symbols. Winkey can also be useful at times.