How to use international keyboard on chromebook

Chromebooks are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability and ease of use. However, for those who frequently type in different languages or need to use special characters, the standard US keyboard layout on a Chromebook may not be sufficient. In this article, we will discuss how to use an international keyboard on a Chromebook, so you can type in different languages and access special characters with ease.

Changing the Keyboard Layout

The first step to using an international keyboard on your Chromebook is to change the keyboard layout. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Click on the gear icon to access the Settings menu.
3. In the Settings menu, click on “Advanced” at the bottom.
4. Under the “Languages and input” section, click on “Input method.”
5. Click on “Manage input methods.”
6. In the “Input methods” menu, click on the “Add” button.
7. Select the language and keyboard layout you want to add.
8. Click on “Add.”

You can now switch between keyboard layouts by clicking on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen and selecting the desired layout from the drop-down menu.

Using Special Characters

by Serhii Butenko (https://unsplash.com/@serejahh)

To access special characters on your international keyboard, you can use the “Alt” key. Hold down the “Alt” key and type the corresponding number code on the numeric keypad to insert the desired character. For example, to type the euro symbol (€), hold down “Alt” and type “0128” on the numeric keypad.

If your Chromebook does not have a numeric keypad, you can use the on-screen keyboard to access special characters. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the time in the bottom right corner of your screen.
2. Click on the keyboard icon to open the on-screen keyboard.
3. Click on the “Alt” key on the on-screen keyboard.
4. The numeric keypad will appear on the right side of the keyboard.
5. Click on the desired special character to insert it into your text.

Using International Keyboards in Different Applications

Some applications, such as Google Docs, have their own keyboard shortcuts for inserting special characters. For example, in Google Docs, you can insert special characters by pressing “Ctrl + Shift + u” and then typing the corresponding Unicode number for the character you want to insert.

Additionally, some applications may not support international keyboards. In this case, you can use a virtual keyboard extension, such as “Virtual Keyboard” by Google, to type in different languages and access special characters.

Conclusion

Using an international keyboard on your Chromebook is a simple process that can greatly improve your typing experience. By changing the keyboard layout and using the “Alt” key or on-screen keyboard, you can easily type in different languages and access special characters. Remember to switch back to the US keyboard layout when you are finished to avoid any confusion. Happy typing!