A serial printing device for an electronic calculating machine comprises a cylindrical type head movable with respect to the paper support and adapted to print numerical amounts and signs indicating the nature of the amounts in predetermined character positions of a row. The type head carries a plurality of digits and symbols disposed in two separate zones which are prearrangeable for printing by a shift mechanism connected to the type head by means of a differential. A character selector, connected to the type head through the differential is operable commonly for said digits and for said symbols, to select for printing a particular character in the zone of said two zones prearranged by said shift mechanism. The selector including a control unit, a plurality of electromagnetically actuated setting members and a rotating drum cooperating with said members as to be variably shifted. Programming means, responsive to the positions of the head with respect to the paper support control said shift mechanism for causing the type head to prearrange for printing, in each of said predetermined character positions of the row, the corresponding zone of numeric or symbolic characters.