What does inputted mean?
Inputted is the past tense and past participle of input, meaning that information, data, or instructions have been entered into a computer, document, or other system. Its most common use is technical: a user or program inputted a command, a user inputted data into a database, or an operator inputted information into a form. It can also mean contributing something to a wider process, as when someone inputted an opinion into a discussion or supplied resources to a project. The spelling is unusual because both t's are retained when -ed is added, but the form is recognized and widely used, particularly in North American English. Some formal style guides consider it less elegant than entered or recommend using input unchanged as the past form, while inputed remains an accepted variant. In everyday and technical prose, inputted is most natural when the completed act of entering information is relevant.
verb (past tense and past participle)Entered data, instructions, or other information into a computer or other system. More broadly, it means supplied or contributed something as part of a process or discussion.
- Entered data, instructions, or other information into a computer or other system.
- Supplied or contributed information, resources, or an opinion to a process or discussion.
"The analyst inputted the figures into the spreadsheet."
"Please input the access code in the designated field."
"Members inputted their suggestions during the public consultation."
Add -ed to input and both t's stay: inputted is a recognized verb form, not a spelling trap.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does inputted come from?
Input comes through Medieval Latin inputare, a verb meaning “put in,” formed from the Latin prefix in-, meaning “in,” and putare, meaning “place” or “put.” The modern English noun and verb developed from this Latin foundation, with the verb later becoming especially associated with entering information into machines and computer systems. Inputted is an inflected form of that English verb. Related English words such as impute and imputation ultimately involve the same Latin element putare, although their meanings concern attribution rather than data entry.
Related word forms
How inputted is actually used
The form is established in dictionaries, although some formal style guides prefer entered or the unmodified past form input. The alternative spelling inputed is also accepted, while inputting is the standard present participle.
Easily confused with inputted
Input is the base form, while inputted is its past tense and past participle.
Inputed is an accepted alternative spelling of the same past-tense form as inputted.