Choose keyboard language & special characters (2023)

You can use different keyboard languages, sometimes called input methods, on your Chromebook to:

• Change your typing language
• Use special characters, like accent marks or currency symbols

Set your keyboard languages

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. On the left panel, select Advanced Languages and inputs.
4. Under "Languages and inputs," select Inputs.
5. Under "Input methods," select Add input methods.
6. Select the keyboard languages you want to use Add.
7. "Enabled" is listed under the current keyboard.
8. To set a different keyboard language, use your cursor to point to and select another keyboard.

Switch between keyboard languages

If you add more than one keyboard language, you can switch between languages from the shelf, next to the time.

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. On the left panel, select Advanced Languages and inputs.
4. Under "Languages and inputs," select Inputs.
5. Turn on "Show input options in the shelf." Your current keyboard language code appears on the shelf, next to the time.
6. Select your keyboard language code.
7. In the "Input methods" box, select the language you want to switch to.

Tip: You can also switch your language by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Space until the language you want is selected. To switch back, press Ctrl + Space.

Add accent marks

The U.S. International keyboard has the following accent marks:

Use the following combinations to type specific international characters on the US International keyboard.

Important: The AltGr key is the Alt key on the right of the keyboard.

Add accent marks with your keyboard

You can use your physical keyboard to insert accents, also called diacritical marks, into text.

Use the accents menu

Important: Accents aren’t available for all characters.

To insert accents:

1. Hold down the key for the letter you want to add an accent to.
2. When the menu opens, press Tab or the right arrow to enter the menu.
3. Use the arrow keys to highlight the accent you want.
4. Press Enter, Space, or continue to type to insert the highlighted option.

Tip: When the menu opens, you can also type the number key of the mark you want, or you can click on it.

To turn off accents:

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. At the bottom, select Advanced Languages and inputs.
4. Select Inputs and keyboards English (US).
5. Under “Physical keyboard,” turn off accents and special characters.

Use modifier keys

You can also insert accents with the Alt key and a character.

Important: Accents aren’t available for all characters.

Tip: You can also create accents on a digital keyboard. Learn how to make diacritical marks on a digital keyboard.