How computers store text

A number assigned to a letter or symbol so a computer can store and display it.

Part of: Investigating Issues in Technology — Module 7, 7-8 Digital Technologies: Representing data with binary — Module 13

Understanding How computers store text in Issues in Technology

What it does: A character code is the number that represents a letter. Character codes are ultimately stored as binary numbers. Every letter is turned into a number the computer can store. ASCII is an early standard for giving letters number codes. Unicode came after ASCII and expanded on it. Unicode was designed to support emoji and languages worldwide. ASCII was one of the earliest character coding systems. ASCII was one of the first standards for coding letters.

Common mistakes: Text isn't stored as pictures - it's turned into numbers and binary. Computers can and do store text using number codes.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Part 1 of 2) and word search (All modules).

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Each concept is reinforced from every angle — learned, then applied, then tested.

Learning

Duo

Do computers store text as numbers?

YesNo

Matches

Computers store letters as pictures

↓

Wrong - computers store letters as number codes

Applying

Meanings

Term

Character code

Meaning

A number assigned to a letter or symbol so a computer can store and display it.

Practice

Computers store text as numbers.

Testing

Gaps

Computers store text as

Check Answer

Spots

1Text is stored as pictures

2ASCII assigns numbers to letters

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Quick Questions

1. Do computers store text as numbers?

A. Yes ✓

B. No

Every letter is turned into a number the computer can store.

2. Does ASCII assign a number to each letter?

A. Yes ✓

B. No

ASCII is an early standard for giving letters number codes.

3. Is Unicode older than ASCII?

A. Yes

B. No ✓

Unicode came after ASCII and expanded on it.

4. Are character codes stored in binary?

A. Yes ✓

B. No

All character codes are ultimately stored as binary numbers.

5. Can Unicode represent emoji and many languages?

A. No

B. Yes ✓

Unicode was designed to support emoji and languages worldwide.

Match the Pairs

ASCII → An early text code that assigns each letter a number

Unicode → A text code that supports many languages and emoji

The number assigned to a letter → Character code

How character codes are stored inside a computer → Binary

Computers store letters as pictures → Wrong - computers store letters as number codes

Unicode can only represent English text → Wrong - Unicode supports many languages and emoji

Key Term

Character code

A number assigned to a letter or symbol so a computer can store and display it.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Computers store text as numbers

Hint: Type the word for what letters become inside a computer.

2. Each character gets an ASCII code

Hint: Type the name of the early text coding system.

3. Unicode can represent emoji too

Hint: Type the name of the text code that supports emoji and many languages.

4. These codes are stored in binary

Hint: Type the number system computers use to store data.

5. Every letter has its own unique number

Hint: Type the word for the code value assigned to each letter.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A Text is stored as pictures

B ASCII assigns numbers to letters

C These numbers are stored as binary

Line A — Text isn't stored as pictures - it's turned into numbers and binary.

Question 2

A Computers can't store text at all

B Each letter gets a code number

C Unicode supports many languages

Line A — Computers can and do store text using number codes.

Question 3

A ASCII assigns numbers to letters

B ASCII numbers are drawn as art

C These numbers become binary

Line B — ASCII numbers aren't drawn as art - they're stored as binary.

Question 4

A Each character has a code

B Codes are picked at random

C Unicode covers many languages

Line B — Codes follow a fixed standard - they aren't random.

Question 5

A Unicode can show emoji

B ASCII is an older text code

C Emoji can't be stored digitally

Line C — Emoji are stored digitally, using Unicode codes.

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