A data typist’s job entails entering a wide range of data into computers for a variety of purposes. Data entry is the field of work for a data typist, and it can include a variety of responsibilities in addition to typing. The work can be tedious, and people who work in data entry usually do so as a first job out of college or high school, as well as as a supplement to their income. Data entry is also a popular home-based job due to the nature of the work.
There are several different types of data typists, and many people working in the field will find themselves moving between them on a daily basis. A data entry keyer, for example, must enter lines of data, numbers, information, code, and more into a computer from various sources. A keyer will also check for errors in existing data and make changes as needed. It may be necessary, for example, to enter data from paper applications into a computer and question or correct errors so that the information is as accurate as possible.
Word processors are data typists who input and process information that must be passed on and read others. This could include documents written others that need to be formalized, typed, and distributed. Every part of a document must be typographically correct, according to a word processor. Throughout the day, he or she must be familiar with a variety of additional office machines. Advances in technology that allow for document scanning and word recognition have sped up the work of word processors, who now have to act more as editors of scanned documents due to the high number of errors that occur during the transition from paper to computer.
A high school diploma and proficiency in the attributes of typing speed and accuracy are usually all that is required of an entry-level data typist. Employers usually determine what additional skills and experience are required. For example, a data typist might need to learn how to use a specific spreadsheet program or get on-the-job training for the inner workings of a database that only exists at their workplace. Because the field of data entry is heavily reliant on technology, new changes and innovations occur on a daily basis, which a data typist must keep up with in order to remain marketable.