Different formats for four types of research items were studied for ease of computer data entry. The types were: (1) numeric response items; (2) individual multiple choice items; (3) multiple choice items with the same response items; and (4) card column indicator placement. Each of the 13 experienced staff members of a major university's Data Entry office rated format examples for ease of entry, identified the most preferred example, and answered other questions regarding design preference. Findings indicate the preferred instrument format would include: dashes or blanks with no embedded periods (continuous lines) for numeric or dollar amounts; vertical listing of response options for individual multiple choice items with a blank beside each option to be checked and the card column indicators in the margin; columnar listings of numeric codes to be circled and response labels at column heads for multiple choice items with the same response options; and card column indicators placed in the right margin. Instrument design utilizing these preferred elements should be consistent in response format and in card column indicator placement. Format preference does not insure the fastest or most accurate entry, but should be one of several instrument design considerations. The questionnaire used for this study is appended. (BS)