Abstract: A data entry unit has a board on which a matrix of cells are arranged, for example, twelve columns by four rows. When turned on, each column is sequentially illuminated in a continuous cyclic fashion. The illumination of a column indicates that the data associated with each of the four cells in that column is enabled. A handle attached to the board has at least four switches on it that can be readily manipulated by four fingers of the user's hand. When a column is illuminated, closing one of the four switches will complete the selection of the data in the corresponding one of the four cells of the illuminated column. This data may be stored of displayed or both. Each cell can be designed to correspond to two separate items of data, such as lower and upper case letters. In such a case, a further thumb actuated switch in the handle provides user selection for one of the two data phases of the cell.