Abstract: An alphanumeric keyboard is provided which includes a 3×4 key button configuration and five function keys. The 3×4, 12 key button and five function keys configuration provides optimal space for the user to conveniently press the desired keys for inputting text into a portable electronic device. The alphanumeric keypad minimizes the number of key presses to input a text message by organizing the alphabet in the order that the characters are most frequently used. To reduce the number of repeated key presses the keys designated by numerals 2-8 each display two alphabet characters, and keys 9, 0, *, and # each display three alphabet characters. The keypad offers two methods of text input via portable communication devices: 1) the conventional multi-tap method of text input; 2) the Alpha mode method. The conventional multi-tap technique is based on the number of taps, or presses, on a given key, which specifies the desired letter on the key being tapped.