A character inputting method for a handy phone or similar terminal unit uses a
first and a second button capable of being pressed or shifted independently of
each other. The user of the terminal unit operates the first button and/or second
button to scroll characters appearing on a display either in the forward direction
or in the backward direction, selects desired one of the characters, and fixes
it. When the user presses the two buttons at the same time, the existing one of
the vertical and horizontal scroll directions is replaced with the other direction.
The user selects the desired character by the forward or backward scroll and then
shifts the first or the second button to fix the character. A device for practicing
the character inputting method is also disclosed.
