Keyboarding Pro Software Instructions

Note: New software and text beginning Fall 2012. Contact us if you need information for Spring 2012

For CABT 110A, 110B and 110C

Keyboarding Pro software for Windows, from Cengage (Note: the software pictured is Keyboarding Pro Version 6). Software does not work with Macintosh.

CABT 110A and 110B students will complete lessons 1 - 25, as well as corresponding timed writings. CABT 110C students are only required to complete timed writings, but may access lessons and skill building exercises to improve speed and technique. CABT 110A and 110B students do not need to complete the "textbook keying" or "timed writing" exercises within lessons 1 - 25. College Keyboarding, Lessons 1 - 25, 18th edition is the textbook used with the "Timed Writings" section of the software.

Install Software

Follow instructions which came with your Keyboarding Pro software. This should be as simple as accessing your CD, double-clicking on the "setup.exe" icon, and following the prompts. If you accept the software's defaults, Keyboarding Pro will be installed on your computer's hard drive, and you will find a "Keyboarding Pro" folder inside your computer's "Program Files" folder. A shortcut will automatically be created on the desktop of your computer.

Copy timedwritings.enc file to your computer

If you will be purchasing the software and working at home, make sure to ask for the Distance Education CD and instructions when you attend the orientation. After installing Keyboarding Pro 6, you will need to copy the timedwritings.enc file from this CD to the "data" folder within the "Keyboarding Pro 6" folder on your computer's hard drive. This will provide you with the list of textbook timed writings required for your class (see below).

Log in to Keyboarding Pro

Double-click on the Keyboarding Pro icon on your desktop. When the program opens, click on the "new user" button and fill in the required information (see below). You will only need to do this the first time. The next time you open the software, you will simply click on your name and enter your password to continue working.



The class ID will show "no class assigned".

The second time you log in to the program, and every time after that, simply click on your name and enter your password.

You can answer "No" if the program asks you to import a file from another location. Click "OK" in answer to the "no class assigned" message.

Setting Preferences

Click on the "Edit" menu at the top of your screen. Choose "Preferences."
(Note: you will need to do this each time you log in, as the settings are not saved - sorry!)

One space or two? The modern standard for proportional font is one space at the end of a sentence. Your software allows you to select one space or two spaces after end punctuation. Please "un-check" the box next to "two spaces after end punctuation."

If you choose, you can also "un-check" the boxes for lesson audio and movie, and this version of Keyboarding Pro also lets you choose to hear the lesson audio in English or Spanish.



Disable your backspace key for these lessons. This will help you to learn good keyboarding habits. Click on each tab along the top of the "Preferences" window and disable (or "un-check") the backspace key for all sections.

Completing your work

CABT 110A students: click on the "Lessons" tab. Lessons 1 - 13 are required for CABT 110A.

CABT 110B students: click on the "Lessons" tab. Lessons 14 - 25 are required for CABT 110B, as well as Keypad lessons 1 - 4.

Click on lesson 1 to begin (lesson 14 for 110B students). Simply follow the instructions on your screen. Try not to look at your keyboard as you type. Find the raised bumps on the "F" and "J" keys to help you find your place.



As you complete lessons, you will see a green checkmark appear beside each exercise you have completed. Skip "Textbook Keying" and "Timed Writing" exercises within lessons. As you complete each exercise, the program will ask whether you would like to repeat that exercise. Key "Y" to repeat or "N" to move to the next exercise. Click the "Back" arrow at the bottom right of the program window to return to the main menu.

Completing Timed Writings

Click on the Timed Writings tab when indicated on your progress sheet, and complete the required timed writings from your textbook. Refer to your progress sheet for page and/or line number references for each timed writing.

Select the length of timing required for your class, and make sure there is no checkmark in the Backspace allowed box (except 110C students).

Printing reports

After completing lessons 1 through 4 (110A students), you will need to print your first Summary Lessons 1-25 Report. Click on the "reports" menu at the top of the screen, and choose Summary Lessons 1-25 (see below).



Each lesson completed will show on this report. Your average and fastest speeds will be recorded for the "build skill" section of every lesson completed. Print this report and bring it to the CTC or make a screenshot and email to cabt "at" cabrillo.edu when indicated on your progress sheet.

After completing timed writings 1d through 4c (110A students), you will need to print your first Timed Writings Report When printing the Timed Writings report, be sure to click the number 1, then select page 2 to see the list of your most recent 40 saved timed writings. Note: if you don't click the number 2, you will only see your best 3 timed writing results. Verify that each timed writing shows "N" in the Backspace column, and that you have completed each one until it shows no more than 1 error per minute in the Errors column on at least one of your attempts (see below).

When you exit the program, any work you completed that received a checkmark will automatically be saved. The program will ask you whether you wish to transfer or export your data. Answer "No."

110A "Getting Started" Checklist

110B "Getting Started" Checklist

110C "Getting Started" Checklist