Hello Anya, I would say that the most common translation for "to type" is "digitare": - He typed the number on his mobile phone to save it. - Digitò il numero sul suo cellulare per salvarlo. Notice that when we talk about "typing" on specific devices (cellphones, computers, etc.), "digitare" is always the most appropriate translation. However, when the device is not specified, we tend to translate it as "scrivere a macchina" o "battere a macchina": - I can't understand your handwriting. You'll have to type your essay. - Non capisco la tua scrittura a mano. Dovrai scrivere/battere a macchina il tuo saggio.

As previously said, the most appropriate translations for "to type" are "digitare" (for digits, e.g. "to type your PIN code" - "digitare il PIN") or "battere / scrivere a macchina" (if you still use a typing machine...) or "battere / scrivere al computer". However, as typing on a keyboard is becoming increasingly common, you can often just use "scrivere" without "al computer". Note that you don't say "battere" if you are typing on a smartphone. Moreover, "typing" as a profession is "dattilografia", while typing as an activity is "battitura". E.g. "a typing mistake" = "un errore di battitura". I hope this helps!

we use to say: "battere a macchina". I had this typed up, sir. L'ho fatta battere a macchina, signore.