Entering letters, characters, diacritics, and accents using an English keyboard

Article Id: 1374
October 18, 2024
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You can enter data in multiple languages by changing the language (the input language) you type and the keyboard layout. The following instructions apply to Microsoft Windows 10. If you are using a different operating system, try searching online for similar instructions. 
         
To change the language:

  1. Click Settings, then Time and language, and then Region and language.
  2. Select Add a language.
  3. Select the language you want to use from the list, and then choose which region's version you want to use. Your download will begin immediately.

To change the keyboard layout:

You can configure your keyboard to use different language and keyboard formats. You can add multiple keyboard layouts and switch between them when needed. Use the following steps to add a language, set a default language, and switch between keyboard layouts:

To add a keyboard language:

  1. Click the Start menu, and select Settings.
  2. Select Time and language.
  3. In the left column, click Region and language.
  4. Select Add a language.
  5. Choose the language you want to add, and select a country for the language.
    1.  To set a default keyboard layout:
  6. Click the Start menu, and select Settings.
  7. Select Time and language.
  8. In the left column, click Region and language.
  9. Under Languages, click the language you want as default, and click Set as default.
    1. To switch keyboard layouts:
  10. Click the language name in the lower right of your screen (default is ENG).
  11. Select the keyboard layout you want to use.

Tips

You will need to experiment with all of the keys on the keyboard, especially the different punctuation keys, to understand which keys correspond to which special characters in the foreign language.

  • For additional information about this feature, consult your Windows help files.
  • If you don't see the Language bar, right-click the taskbar, point to Toolbars, and then click Language bar.
  • Windows 8 Touch Keyboard will give you a visual representation of your Physical Keyboard that can make it easier to enter the correct characters and punctuation keys for the foreign language.
  • Some languages do not have fonts installed by default on Windows. If you do not have a font, the characters will often show up as squares. A font for language must be installed to display correctly in FamilySearch.

Troubleshooting tips

If the keyboard does not work from a particular Windows account, please check to see if Filter Keys is not enabled. The option is accessible from Start menu, then clicking Control Panel, then Accessibility Options.

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