Targus USB number keypad keystrokes flash and disappear in Excel

Yes — the behaviour you describe is very characteristic of a Targus USB numeric-keypad/Excel compatibility problem on a Mac, rather than a faulty keypad. There are reports of Targus keypads working normally in Notes and other applications while numbers briefly appear in Excel and then disappear. (Microsoft Learn)

For the PAUK10/PAUK10U, I would try this first:

1. Quit Excel.
2. Disconnect the Targus keypad.
3. On the keypad, press and hold the Num Lock key.
4. While continuing to hold Num Lock, plug the keypad directly into the Mac, rather than through a USB hub.
5. Keep holding Num Lock for about 3 seconds after the Num Lock light comes on, then release it.
6. Open Excel and test a number in a cell.

This particular procedure has been reported to resolve the exact symptom you are  seeing with the PAUK10U: numbers appear while the key is held and disappear when it is released. (MacRumors Forums)

One important point about the keyboard-type setup

The fact that macOS asked you to identify the keyboard when you first connected it is relevant. 

The PAUK10U documentation identifies it as a USB numeric keypad, and the older Targus documentation does not describe it as requiring a Mac-specific driver. (Targus US)

So I wouldn't start by installing drivers or changing Excel settings. The specific Num Lock initialization above is a much more targeted thing to try first.

If your PAUK10 has no Num Lock key, tell me what keys you see on the keypad (or upload a photo of it). 

There are slightly different Targus models, and the workaround depends on the exact layout.

Since your Targus keypad connects by USB, not Bluetooth, we can rule out Bluetooth settings.

The behaviour you are seeing, where a number appears while you hold the key down but disappears when you release it, has been reported with some Targus numeric keypads when used with Excel for Mac. 

On some Targus models, the Mac/PC setting can be important. (Microsoft Community)

A good first check is to open Notes and try the keypad there. 

If the numbers stay on the screen after you release the keys, the keypad is working with macOS and the problem is likely specific to Excel. 

If the same thing happens in Notes, check Num Lock if your keypad has it, and make sure Mouse Keys is turned off under System Settings >> Accessibility >> Pointer Control. 

Apple notes that Mouse Keys can affect how a numeric keypad works. Apple: If a numeric keypad doesn’t work on Mac

If your Targus has a Mac/PC switch, set it to Mac, unplug the keypad, and plug it back in. 

Some Targus models have this switch, but not all do.

As for the keyboard-type screen you saw when you first connected it, that is macOS's Keyboard Setup Assistant. 

It is asking which physical keyboard layout you have, ANSI, ISO, or JIS. 

It is not asking you to identify the keypad itself, so I would not change that setting again until we know which Targus model you have. Apple: Specify a keyboard type on Mac

The most useful thing you can give me now is the Targus model number printed on the underside of the keypad. 

With that, we can check whether your particular model has a Mac/PC switch, specific Num Lock behaviour, or a known Excel compatibility issue.

v-w-15 wrote:

Hey I was able to successfully connect by holding the num lock key while plugging in. I am still going through a hub because the pad is USB-A and I only have C ports. Thankyou for your assistance.

You are welcome

🦉-53