Definition: Data entry is a broad term that encompasses a number of occupations. These include electronic data processors, typists, word processors, transcribers, coders and clerks.
In essence, data entry means to operate equipment, often a keyboard, that inputs (alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic) data into a company’s system. The data entry operator may be required to verify or edit data as it is entered.
And while many of the data entry positions listed above fall under the data entry umbrella, jobs that are advertised as “data entry jobs” usually require the least skills and in turn pay the least. Specialized data entry positions, like medical transcriptionists, require more training.
Though many companies only allow those who have been trained in-house to work offsite, data entry can often be done from home. However, work at home data entry jobs are often work at home scams.
Also Known As: information processing, data processor, data keying
Alternate Spellings: data-entry
Common Misspellings: dataentry
