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Spanish

Use this guide to find books, articles, databases, and other resources for research in 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 + \ = »