Abstract: A speed typing method and apparatus for use in association with a word processor (5) are disclosed. An encoded Key (40) of alphanumeric characters and its associated Replacement Text (41) are pre-stored (50-67) in Memory (12). Operator entries to the processor are divided into segments of character entries bordered at their opposite ends by "space" or "carriage return" entries. Each segment is compared (70-97) with the pre-stored Key entries, and whenever identity is found (98), that segment of characters is replaced by the pre-stored Replacement Text associated with the identified Key (99-101). The initiation of the comparison process requires no special function Keys or steps to be performed.