About the XMB™ menu > Using the keyboard

Using the keyboard

The keyboard is automatically displayed whenever text entry is required. These instructions assume use of the English keyboard. For information on using other language keyboards, see the user's guide for the respective language.

Keyboard screen. Labeled 1 through 6 starting from the top left.

(1)

Cursor

(2)

Text entry field

(3)

Displays predictive options

(4)

Operation keys

(5)

Displays when predictive mode is on

(6)

Input mode display


List of keys

Keys that are displayed vary depending on the input mode and other conditions.

Insert symbol or emoticon Inserts a symbol or emoticon
Switch character type Switches the type of characters to be entered
Move cursor Moves the cursor
Delete Deletes the character to the left of the cursor
Space Inserts a space
Line Break Inserts a line break
Copy or paste text Copies or pastes text
Switch keyboard Switches to the mini-size keyboard
Input mode Switches the input mode
Enter Confirms characters that have been typed but not entered / Exits the keyboard

Entering characters

Using predictive mode, you can enter the first few letters of the word, which will bring up a list of commonly used words that start with these letters. You can then use the directional buttons to select the word that you want. After you have finished entering text, select the "Enter" key to exit the keyboard.

Hints

  • You may not be able to use emoticons in some input modes.
  • The languages you can use for text entry are the supported system languages. For example, if the system language is set to French, you can enter text in French. You can set the system language by going to (Settings) > (System Settings) > [System Language].
  • You can clear the entire text entry field by pressing the Square + L1 buttons at the same time.

Using a connected keyboard

You can enter text using a USB keyboard or Bluetooth® keyboard (both sold separately). With the text entry screen displayed, if any key on the connected keyboard is pressed, the text entry screen will enable you to use the connected keyboard.

Hints

  • For details on connecting a Bluetooth® keyboard, see (Settings) > (Accessory Settings) > [Manage Bluetooth® Devices] in this guide.
  • You cannot use the predictive mode when using a connected keyboard.
  • You can enter a line break in the text entry field by pressing ALT + ENTER. You can only enter a line break when it is applicable, such as when writing a message under the (Friends) category.
  • You can clear the entire text entry field by pressing SHIFT + BACKSPACE at the same time.
  • You can paste text that has been copied by pressing Ctrl + V. The text that was copied last will be pasted.

Using the mini-size keyboard

If you select Switch keyboard from the full-size keyboard, it will switch to the mini-size keyboard. On the mini-size keyboard, multiple characters are assigned to a single key.

Mini-size keyboard screen. Labeled 1 through 7 starting from the top left.

(1)

Cursor

(2)

Text entry field

(3)

Displays predictive options

(4)

Displays characters that can be entered using the selected key.
Each time you press the Cross button, the character that can be entered changes. For example, to enter [L], select and press the Cross button six times. To enter [L5], select and press the Cross button, and after [L] has been entered use Move cursor right to move the cursor so that it is positioned after the [L]. Then select and press the Cross button seven times to enter [5].

(5)

Operation keys

(6)

Displays when predictive mode is on

(7)

Input mode display

Hint

You can also use the single tap text entry method. Use the "Options" key to switch the text entry method. When using single tap, words that can be created using combinations made from one letter (or number) on each selected key are displayed as predictive text entry options. For example, if you select the "DEF3" key, words beginning with d, e, f or 3 are listed in the predictive options window on the right side of the on-screen keyboard. If the symbol ">" is displayed, keep entering letters until predictive options are displayed.


List of keys

Keys that are displayed vary depending on the input mode and other conditions.

Symbol Inserts a symbol
Switch between upper and lower case Switches between upper and lower case
Line Break Inserts a line break
Move cursor Moves the cursor
Delete Deletes the character to the left of the cursor
Space Inserts a space
Copy or paste text Copies or pastes text
Switch keyboard Switches to the full-size keyboard
Options Displays the options menu
Input mode Switches the input mode
Enter Confirms characters that have been typed but not entered / Exits the keyboard

About the XMB™ menu > Using the keyboard