HP Keyboard number pad not compatible with excel on Mac

[Kim2437]

Hi, I have just purchased this keyboard to use with my mac desktop. Number pad is restricting numbers in excel only.Can we fix this please

Have just updated to Tahoe 26.2

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Kim2437,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I know how annoying it feels when you finally pair your new HP keyboard… only to find the number pad refuses to type numbers in Excel, even though everything else works. It’s like the keys are there, waiting under your fingertips, but silently ignoring you. Good news, this is a very common Mac setting issue, and it can absolutely be fixed. Let’s get it sorted step‑by‑step.

1. Check “Mouse Keys”: the #1 cause (Excel-specific)

On macOS, when Mouse Keys is accidentally enabled, the number pad stops typing numbers and instead controls the mouse.

✔ Quick Way to Turn It Off

Press: Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) + F5

Then uncheck “Mouse Keys.”

✔ If that doesn’t appear, use full settings:

1. Go to System Settings
2. Choose Accessibility
3. Select Pointer Control
4. Click Alternate Control Methods
5. Turn Mouse Keys → OFF

This alone fixes the problem for most Mac + HP keyboard users.

2. Make Sure Num Lock is ON (some HP keyboards use Fn instead)

Most HP keyboards don’t have a traditional “Num Lock” light on macOS.

If your keyboard has a Num Lock key, press it once.

If not, try: Fn + Num Lock

or

Shift + Clear

(Used by macOS for numeric keypad toggles.)

3. Check Excel’s “Use System Separators”

Sometimes Excel reads the number pad as navigation keys instead of numbers.

Inside Excel:

1. Go to Excel → Preferences
2. Select Edit
3. Make sure Use system separators is turned ON

4. Reset the Keyboard Mapping in macOS

macOS sometimes incorrectly identifies Windows keyboards.

1. Go to System Settings
2. Choose Keyboard
3. Click Keyboard Shortcuts
4. Select Modifier Keys
5. Choose your HP Keyboard
6. Reset everything to Default

This forces macOS to re‑recognize the layout properly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat