Abstract: An optical coordinates inputting apparatus which has a light emitting element array and a photodetector array opposed to the light emitting element array, arranged in X- an Y-axis directions, X-axis and Y-axis multiplexer means sequentially driven as a pair of light emitting element and photodetector of the X- and Y-axis directions, X- and Y-axis signal detecting means for outputting a coordinates signal when a light signal outputted from the driven light emitting element is not photodetected by the opposed photodetector, and switching means for operating either the X-axis or Y-axis multiplexer means, whereby, when the coordinates signal is outputted, the switching means operates the other X- or Y-axis multiplexer means. Thus, the inputting apparatus drives to scan either one of a light emitting element array and a photodetector array in X- or Y-axis direction during a period that coordinates are not inputted to reduce its power consumption.