Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic keyboard comprising transmitting elements and receiving elements activated in multiplex operation, with the changes in the luminous flux caused by actuation of keys resulting in a signal which defines the actuated key. The invention resides in arranging the transmitting and receiving elements in a main body of the keyboard which comprises a separate cover acting as optical and electromagnetic shielding. The space serving to guide the radiation is preferably separated and shielded from the space accommodating the elements and the electronic evaluating system. Various kinds of multiplex operation can be used to operate the keyboard.