Spanish

Keyboard Input

Searching for resources, typing essays, and creating presentations for Spanish are all much easier with Spanish language input enabled on your computer. I recommend you use the US-International keyboard layout. It keeps the layout of your keyboard the same, but changes the `, ~, ', and " keys to "dead keys", allowing you to add accents to letters. 

A variety of Spanish keyboard inputs exist for multiple countries, but be advised the keyboard layout changes to meet the needs of the region, especially in regards to punctuation.

Installing on a PC

Add US-International layout on PC:

• Open the start menu and select "Control Panel"
• Select "Change keyboards or other input methods" under the Clock, Language, and Region section
• In the new window, click on the button that says "Change keyboards..."
• Another window will open and show all currently installed keyboards. Click "Add..."
• Scroll down the list to English "(United States)" and click the + to extend the list if not already expanded
• Check the box next to "US" under the United States - International section of the list. Click "OK".
• United States - International should now show on the list of keyboards installed. Click "Apply" and then "OK".

Using the US-International keyboard: 

• To switch to the US-International keyboard layout, click on the keyboard next to the EN in your taskbar at the bottom right of the screen. You will see a list of English keyboards.
• Click on "United States - International" to activate the keyboard. 
• You will notice that your `, ~, ', and " keys no longer type immediately. These characters, when followed by an appropriate letter, will be added to that letter: ' + a = á, ~ + n = ñ, etc. 
  • If you want to use the symbols by themselves, just hit the spacebar 

Hot keys for special punctuation: 

• Right Alt + 1 = ¡
• Right Alt + / = ¿
• Right Alt + [ = «
• Right Alt + ] = »
• Right Alt + n = ñ

Installing on a Mac

Add US-International layout on Mac:

• Click on the apple in the top left corner and select "System Preferences"
• Select "Keyboard"
• Select "Input Sources" at the top
• You will see a list of keyboards that have already been installed. Click on the + at the bottom.
• In the new window, find English and click on it.
• In the right pane, scroll down and select "U.S. International - PC"
• Click "Add"

Using the US-International keyboard: 

• To switch to the US-International keyboard layout, click on the American flag next to the time on in the top right corner of your screen. 
• Click on "U.S. International - PC" in the list
• You will notice that your `. ~, ', and " keys no longer type immediately. These characters, when followed by an appropriate letter, will be added to that letter: ' + a = á, ~ + n = ñ
  • If you want to use the symbols by themselves, just hit the spacebar

Hot keys for special punctuation: 

• Option + 1 = ¡
• Option + Shift + / = ¿
• Option + \ = «
• Option + Shift + \ = »