Keyboard apparatus, for example for a word processor comprises a standard alpha-numeric keyboard having an additional special key. On striking the spacer bar followed by a key corresponding to a letter and followed by the special key, the apparatus operates to print or to store for subsequent printing a predetermined complete word allocated to that particular letter. The words are predetermined according to their frequency of occurrence. For example, "v" may correspond to "very". If the striking of the letter key has not been immediately preceded by striking of the spacer bar, then the apparatus operates to print or to store for subsequent printing a predetermined word ending allocated to that particular letter. For example, "m" may correspond to "ment". The apparatus can also operate to incorporate capital letters where appropriate and to print or store for subsequent printing complete words in response to the non-alphabetic keys.