Data entry is the process of digitizing data by entering it into a computer system for organization and management purposes. It is a person-based process and is "one of the important basic" tasks needed when no machine-readable version of the information is readily available for planned computer-based analysis or processing.

Data entry is used in offices, research settings, schools, and businesses where a lot of information needs to be organized and entered accurately for easier analysis. Inputting data entry requires accuracy and consistency so that errors are minimized. An example of a digitized tool used for data entry are spreadsheet tools such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. In short, data entry is the process of inputting data to keep it organized and make information usable within the digital system.

Sometimes, data entry can involve working with or creating "information about information [whose value] can be greater than the value of the information itself." It can also involve filling in required information which is then "data-entered" from what was written on the research document, such as the growth in available items in a category. This is a higher level of abstraction than metadata, "information about data".

Data entry is often done with a keyboard and at times also using a mouse, although a manually-fed scanner may be involved.

Historically, devices lacking any pre-processing capabilities were used.

Data entry using keypunches was related to the concept of batch processing – there was no immediate feedback.

Computer keyboards and online data-entry provide the ability to give feedback to the data entry clerk doing the work.

The addition of numeric keypads to computer keyboards introduced quicker and often also less error-prone entry of numeric data.