A key-in device has a key-in section with a matrix array of keys. A key-actuated signal corresponding to a handwritten character input by the key-in section is input to an input pattern memory of a character recognition section, where an input pattern is formed and stored. The character recognition section has a standard pattern memory, having stored the standard pattern of a character to be recognized. A first feature detecting section extracts feature data from the input pattern in the input pattern memory. A first matching section detects a standard pattern coincident with the feature data extracted from the first standard pattern memory, and produces the character data input by the key-in section as a recognizable character.