Using the +FORMAT syntax, you can enter the fields in any way you want providing you specify what you're doing and are consistent. I find it easier though to let my eyes travel along the line rather than darting back and forth. also personally I usually use the numbers above the QWERTY keys for typing. The "Flat File" format page is probably the most relevant one from FreeBMD Project to answer the question. http://freebmd.rootsweb.com/Flat.html Mark Hattam -- james@wishart100.freeserve.co.uk wrote: > A thought from a newbie, sorry if it has been aired before. > Would it be possible, as an option, to amend the order in which the data for > deaths is keyed in. > If the order was:-- surname/first name/district/page/age then the typing of > the letters and numbers would be grouped together in their respective parts > of the keyboard. In that way the time spent relocating the hands on the > keyboard when going from letters to numbers and back, would be reduced. I > get the feeling that it would save about 5% in time. > regards, > jim wishart