What Is a Data Entry Keyer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A data entry keyer transfers information into a database using a computer and keyboard. Your duties often focus on entering information from documents or physical materials into a digital database. You may also enter information into a standard spreadsheet. The responsibilities of data entry keyers often involve compiling and organizing report materials, which you then print on paper or upload to a drive. An employer may task you with selecting the appropriate database or file for each piece of information that you process. You use your computer or digital device to check your entries or the work of other keyers for errors.

The qualifications that you need to become a data entry keyer include typing and computer skills and the ability to pay attention to detail. In this career, the minimum academic qualification is a high school diploma. Some companies like applicants with a postsecondary certificate or degree or those who have earned college credits. Companies also prefer to hire keyers who know software like Microsoft Excel. Typing abilities are vital, and some employers require that you take a typing test as part of the hiring process. In some industries, data entry professionals need to know about privacy regulations.