showing german/french virtual keyboard on desktop

L

Leo

How does one show the keyboard layout for a language in the Right hand upper
corner of a document? ( Of course, both the language and the keyboard have
been installed).
thanks
 
K

Klaus Linke

Hi Leo,

What OS?

In Windows XP, you'll find the on-screen keyboard under "Programs > Accessories
Accessibility", I think.
Click to expand...

But IMHO, it's not helpful to install different keyboard layouts for different
(Western) European languages.
It's simpler to define some custom keyboard shortcuts for the couple of special
characters you need.

Most likely, some sensible shortcut(s) already exist(s):
Select the character, open "Insert > Symbol": It'll show existing shortcuts (...
if several different shortcuts already exist, you can see all of them if you
click on "Keyboard shortcut...").

Or buy an International keyboard, and learn the existing AltGr shortcuts, which
then work in all programs, not just in Word.

Greetings,
Klaus
 
L

Leo

Klaus Linke said:
Hi Leo,

What OS?

In Windows XP, you'll find the on-screen keyboard under "Programs > Accessories

But IMHO, it's not helpful to install different keyboard layouts for different
(Western) European languages.
It's simpler to define some custom keyboard shortcuts for the couple of special
characters you need.

Most likely, some sensible shortcut(s) already exist(s):
Select the character, open "Insert > Symbol": It'll show existing shortcuts (...
if several different shortcuts already exist, you can see all of them if you
click on "Keyboard shortcut...").

Or buy an International keyboard, and learn the existing AltGr shortcuts, which
then work in all programs, not just in Word.

Greetings,
Klaus






Hi Klaus - VERY many thanks for both helpful tips. I had been battling for hours.... What is so frustrating is the knowledge that one had been there ( a long time ago) but - HOW??
Click to expand...
The problem with assigning a key sequence to the few special characters one
needs, is that , at least in my case, I use ( 4 ) foreign languages only
rarely - and then I have the same problem- remembering what key combination I
had chosen.... Your suggestion to go to "Insert" is brilliant & I'll
try it.
Thanks again and Regards
Leo
 
K

Klaus Linke

Hi Leo,

The Word help has topics on typing international characters with a list of
built-in shortcuts.
You'll find a similar list in Suzanne S. Barnhill's article
http://www.word.mvps.org/faqs/general/InsertSpecChars.htm

There's also a help topic on characters you can type with AltGr (or Ctrl+Alt if
AltGr isn't on your keyboard). You might be able to print those lists as a
"cheat sheet"...

Regards,
Klaus
 
Top