How to type Spanish accents

[Ben]

Typing Spanish accents is easy if you have a Spanish keyboard at your fingertips (though many Spaniards don't always bother :rolleyes:).

For other keyboards around the world, there is an explanation of different ways to get the accents here (http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm). (Don't worry though, if you leave a few off in this forum we won't mind :))

Firefox Users: Please note that the alt+number method for typing accents does not work with this forum when browsing with Firefox (it's a forum coding thing). We're very sorry about this!

[Alan]

Setting up your keyboard to international settings gives a much more natural feeling anyway. AltGr + a = á is much more natural than Alt + 0245. But, if you really want to use the Alt + numbers method, just type your post into Wordpad or something then copy and paste.

I'm using a United Kingdom extended keyboard setting, and the only problem I'm having at the moment is ¿ and ¡. Accents can be typed using AltGr and ` keys (Gàidhlig uses the grave accent). The tilde can be typed using AltGr+~ , THEN n.

Even better, if you're a Windows user, you can set your OWN keyboard layout to suit the languages that you type in. You can set special combinations to allow you to easily or more easily type certain characters. I don't use those curly brackets much, and what is that | key there for anyway? Get some use from them:

http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/tools/msklc.mspx
(http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/)
(http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/)

[Sin]

There's a neat little free utility here. It opens in a small window that's always on top; and it gives you, at hand, all the accented letters.

http://www.braser.com/pr_mk1.html

[Marina]

Just out of interest, in Unix or Linux one use | to execute one command over the result of another one (is called pipe) .

[Alan]

Yeah :) It's also used to create an OR operator in C/C++ as || :)

[timg]

Under Windows XP you can set your keyboard to have more than 1 layout. I have mine set to UK normally, but I can switch to Spanish layout with a (configurable) combination of keys. It remains as a QWERTY keyboard, but the punctuation keys change to allow you to type the accented characters, the ñ and the ¿¡ characters. Also, under Linux you can use setxkbmap to do the same thing (if you're using a graphical interface such as Gnome).

[Alan]

Thanks timg, I needed to do this on my Linux box.

[Ben]

And I thought I knew a lot about computers! Respect to the Linux users amongst you!

[disco]

Just when I thought I have mastered alt 160 á, 161 í, 162 ó, 163 ú etc, and 164 ñ you guys go and turn me into a techie. Now I have to re-learn and find out the simplest way to type, again.

I am new here, hi all.:)

[Ben]

Welcome!

[Mark]

I use a laptop much more often than a desktop, so the ALT keys are difficult to use. I recommend a program called AllChars, available at http://allchars.zwolnet.com

[pablo]

In case there are any Mac OS X users out there...

1) Type option-e, then any vowel to make an accented vowel. Type option-n, then any letter (normally n) to get a tilde over it.

- or if you want something a bit less cumbersome while typing -

2) In System Prefs, go to the International Pane. In the Input Menu, check the box by Spanish and/or Spanish ISO. You can now use a shortcut key or simply select the Spanish flag in your menu bar when you want to switch language settings. And if you want to see what the Spanish layout looks like, open the Keyboard Viewer. Or just type until they show up unexpectedly, which can be fun as well.

P.S. And if you want to really have fun, in the International Pane you can also select Spanish as your primary language by dragging it to the top of the list. Then your OS and Cocoa apps (like Text Edit) will have menus and dialog boxes in Spanish. Most importantly, your spell check will be in Spanish as well.

[cubix]

P.S. And if you want to really have fun, in the International Pane you can also select Spanish as your primary language by dragging it to the top of the list. Then your OS and Cocoa apps (like Text Edit) will have menus and dialog boxes in Spanish. Most importantly, your spell check will be in Spanish as well.
That's awesome, I find the option key to be very easy to make accents with, a lot easier than on XP(like everything(

[gary]

That's awesome, I find the option key to be very easy to make accents with, a lot easier than on XP(like everything(

Dont forget
Option (alt) + 1 to give you the inverted exclamation mark - ¡Hola!

and
Option (alt) + Shift + ? for the inverted question mark - ¿Que?

----once youve had a Mac youll never go back!

[Cat]

Sin,

http://www.braser.com/pr_mk1.html

Thanks for that link...what a fab little program sitting very neatly on screen and so easy to use for a "plug and play" girl. "Linux, Mac etc."...All this complex computer jargon brings me out in a rash! But I'm dead envious of all the techie knowledge displayed..........but I must conquer all things Spanish before moving on to the intricacies of the PC world! There just aren't enough hours in the day.......hey ho !

[Andy E]

I'd like to recommend the UK International Keyboard available at the following link:

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/pef21/gb_intl/gb_intl.html

If you've ever used the US International Keyboard, it is similar to that with the use of dead keys and I believe it's superior to the UK-Extended Keyboard layout provided by Microsoft. A couple of examples of its ease of use follow:

To type: á you type ' + a
To type: ¿ you hold down the right-hand Alt key and hit the key with the ? on it (no need to use shift).

Andy.

[kyle]

----once youve had a Mac youll never go back!

and installed GNU/Linux on it, of course :-)

[gary]

and installed GNU/Linux on it, of course :-)

sorry - not for a gold pig!

macOS 10.4 does it for me and I get iCal, iWeb, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie HD, etc, etc, chucked in for the price.

Thats not to say the GNU/Liux Stuff isnt great but why buy a dog and bark yourself?

[kyle]

sorry - not for a gold pig!

macOS 10.4 does it for me and I get iCal, iWeb, iPhoto, iDVD, iMovie HD, etc, etc, chucked in for the price.

Thats not to say the GNU/Liux Stuff isnt great but why buy a dog and bark yourself?

I bought my first mac (a powerbook) a couple of years ago. Since I do value quality hardware and IBM had reciently sold Thinkpad to Lenovo I thought Apple would be worth a try. I actually tried OSX for a few weeks but I didn't feel confortable anyway, and I installed ubuntu on it (never tried that particular distro before) and never looked back.

Being a unix guy, mac is ok with all those graphicall apps, but the terminal (or an alternative such as http://iterm.sourceforge.net/ ) isn't up to standars IMHO. I also notice a speed increase when running GNU/Linux (although that might be my perception)

and of course, I'm just lazy to learn a new operating system ;D

[kyle]

and getting on topic, keyboard layout in GNU/Linux (at least on intel) is the sanest I've found; we can type almost any sign (or even guess them):

control + alt + c = ©
control + alt + o = Ø
control + alt + s = ß

and of course, we have good "dead keys" combinations (´ ` ^ ¨) and native keys (ñ, ç). The only thing I'm unsure is about the vowels and tildes (I don't write portugese!)

[gary]

and getting on topic, keyboard layout in GNU/Linux (at least on intel) is the sanest I've found; we can type almost any sign (or even guess them):

control + alt + c = ©
control + alt + o = Ø
control + alt + s = ß

and of course, we have good "dead keys" combinations (´ ` ^ ¨) and native keys (ñ, ç). The only thing I'm unsure is about the vowels and tildes (I don't write portugese!)
ç is alt + c on a mac

ñ - tilde on a mac is alt + n then release and type an n

éáíóú - accent type alt+e then release ant type the letter you want eith an accent

î - Circumflex is alt + u then release and type the letter

ü - Umlout is alt + u release and type the letter

ñ ç éáíóú îô œ ∑ ® † ¥ ü ö ø π å ß ∂ ƒ © ∆ ˚ ¬ Ω ≈ ç √ ∫ ~ µ
Œ „ ‰ Â Ê Á Ë È Ø ∏ Å Í Î Ï Ì Ó Ô  Ò Û Ù Ç ◊ ◊ı ˆ ˜ ¯ ˘

etc all standard on mac if you know there they are, Being a Mac guy in a PC world you have to be able to be a slider - the OS is the OS its the apps!

[gitanarosa]

Thank you SIN!! I find that little programme just brilliant!! I now have an icon on my destop that I just click and there it is! I am new here .. this is my first post and for YEARS I have struggled with a way to use accents, having given up in the past few months but now I have no excuse thanks to you!! :)
I am so excited about joining this site and have lots of reading up to do re all the great information here!! Finding an easy way to use accents etc was a truly wonderful start!! :)

[Ben]

Hello and welcome to the forums gitanarosa, look forward to seeing you in here!

[Brian]

Thank you SIN!! I find that little programme just brilliant!! I now have an icon on my destop that I just click and there it is! I am new here .. this is my first post and for YEARS I have struggled with a way to use accents, having given up in the past few months but now I have no excuse thanks to you!! :)
I am so excited about joining this site and have lots of reading up to do re all the great information here!! Finding an easy way to use accents etc was a truly wonderful start!! :)

Glad to have you here, gitanarosa. :)

[tad]

After failing to do the international keyboard thing I tried the allchars utility suggested by Mark -very good and no fiddly triple fingered key combinations.

[Culebronchris]

Away from the "my operating system is better than your operating system stuff" - I'm like the rest of the World and I use the things that Bill sells to me. Also my keyboard is too old or too English or something to have the Alt Gr key.

I tried the link to braser whatever and the message says the page has moved and I can't find anything by hunting around.

All chars did OK with the accented a etc but wouldn't work with the n tilde.

The zipped up job wouldn't load properly and not for the reasons given on the webpage. So I'm still stuck with alt+164 and the like.

Anything more?

[tad]

All chars did OK with the accented a etc but wouldn't work with the n tilde.

With my allchars for ñ its ctrl, shift and ~ together then n -are you shifting to get the ~?

[greytop]

....

I tried the link to braser whatever and the message says the page has moved and I can't find anything by hunting around.
...
I've got MoreKeys 1.2 still on my PC but had a look and they seem to have removed it from the Braser site as you say. Google still provides lots of links to it but they don't work. I have a Spanish keyboard so use it for £ signs!
I've got the files in a .zip but it's too big to upload. I'll try it as an attachment if you like to PM me with a mail address

[Realaficionada21]

[quote=Cat;965]Sin,

http://www.braser.com/pr_mk1.html

Thanks for that link...what a fab little program sitting very neatly on screen and so easy to use for a "plug and play" girl.

This link is no longer available. Can someone tell me the product/program name so I can search for it. I am having a really hard time with the accents on my laptop.

Thanks!

[greytop]

...
This link is no longer available. Can someone tell me the product/program name so I can search for it. I am having a really hard time with the accents on my laptop.
Thanks!
This thread (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1659&highlight=typing+accents) has useful info in it
In case you miss it, there is a link in one post to a blogspot (http://es-xchange.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-to-type-special-characters-in.html)with some very good stuff in it.
I have had another look for the Brasher "More Keys" software but they do not seem to be providing it any more.

[greytop]

Mozilla / english keyboard users may find this new add-on (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2335) useful.
It enables Microsoft Keyboard shortcuts for international characters.
Sorry I can't try it out as I have a Spanish keyboard.

[Hugo]

Typing Spanish accents is easy if you have a Spanish keyboard at your fingertips (though many Spaniards don't always bother :rolleyes:).

For other keyboards around the world, there is an explanation of different ways to get the accents here (http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm). (Don't worry though, if you leave a few off in this forum we won't mind :))

Firefox Users: Please note that the alt+number method for typing accents does not work with this forum when browsing with Firefox (it's a forum coding thing). We're very sorry about this!


Hola Ben
I have enclosed in an attachment my way of using accent I find it very usefull, I an 72 and taking a Open University course in spanish this year, I love your chats with your wife great for my listening practice. Thank Hughie (Hugo)

[gastephen]

Hola Ben
I have enclosed in an attachment my way of using accent I find it very usefull, I an 72 and taking a Open University course in spanish this year, I love your chats with your wife great for my listening practice. Thank Hughie (Hugo)

Hola Hugo

¡Suerte con tu carrera en la universidad abierta!

Saludos.

[Hugo]

Using accent keys on a standard keyboard in Word

From the top line of files select Insert
Click on Symbol
In the font box select ( normal text )
On the 6th row down you will find á click on á and then click on shortcut key the cursor will blink in press shortcut key Press f5 key now press assign á will now appear whenever in the future you press the f5 key .
Now do the same for each letter é f6 í f7 ó f8 ú f9 ñ f10 ¡ f11 and ¿ f12
You will find on the 7th row é í ó ú ñ
The ¡ is 4 rows down near the centre
And the ¿ is 5 rows down in the centre under the £ sign



Cut out this strip it is better on card and stick it with blue tack on the keyboard above the f keys starting at f5
The spacing allows for the bigger gap between f8 and f9
Each time you want a special key just press the appropriate f key
e/g á é í ó ú ñ ¡ ¿

Hugo

[MissLena]

[I checked both threads here on this subject and, to my surprise, did not see MicroSlop's own solution. Here it is...]

Microsoft's procedure for enabling accents in XP is given at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306560&sd=tech#2

I just now followed these instructions (took a couple minutes and a reboot) and now I type the accent I want [ ' ` ^ ~ ] and the character I want it on [a...u] and I get all this lovely stuff: á ç è ú ñ ã ....

and I hold down [right-alt] and type ?/ or 1! and get ¿¡

[¡woo-hoo!]

Very easy. Much easier than all the other goofy stuff mentioned... :rolleyes: [for XP users, that is] >:D

Because MicroSlop likes to change their links around periodically just to break stuff, and because you're unbelieveably lazy, I reproduce the instructions for you right here (see the link above for more characters and custom keys):

===================================
Adding the United States-International Keyboard Layout [ ¡¡¡ XP ONLY !!! ]

To add the United States-International keyboard layout, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2.Under Pick a category, click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options.

3.Under or pick a Control Panel icon, click Regional and Language Options.

The Regional and Language Options dialog box appears.

4.On the Languages tab, click Details.

The Text Services and Input Languages dialog box appears.

5.Under Installed services, click Add.

The Add Input language dialog box appears.6.In the Input language list, click the language that you want. For example, English (United States).

NOTE: When you use the United States-International keyboard layout, you should also use an English language setting.

7.In the Keyboard layout/IME list, click United States-International, and then click OK.

8.In the Select one of the installed input languages to use when you start your computer list, click Language name - United States-International (where Language name is the language that you selected in step 6), and then click OK.

9.In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, click OK.

Notice that the Language bar appears on the taskbar. When you position the mouse pointer over it, a ToolTip appears that describes the active keyboard layout. For example, United States-International.

10.Click the Language bar, and then click United States-International on the shortcut menu that appears.

The United States-International keyboard layout is selected.

===================================

[eldeano]

[I checked both threads here on this subject and, to my surprise, did not see MicroSlop's own solution. Here it is...]

Microsoft's procedure for enabling accents in XP is given at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306560&sd=tech#2

I just now followed these instructions (took a couple minutes and a reboot) and now I type the accent I want [ ' ` ^ ~ ] and the character I want it on [a...u] and I get all this lovely stuff: á ç è ú ñ ã ....

and I hold down [right-alt] and type ?/ or 1! and get ¿¡

[¡woo-hoo!]


Do MS do a UK-International Version?

[gastephen]

[I checked both threads here on this subject and, to my surprise, did not see MicroSlop's own solution. Here it is...]

Changing keyboard layouts in XP is included in this article (http://es-xchange.blogspot.com/2007/03/how-to-type-special-characters-in.html), which has been mentioned here before. It also shows maps of the layouts for Spanish, US International and UK keyboards.

Caveat: that article also contains a bunch of other goofy stuff ;)

PS: Certain international characters are available in the standard UK keyboard configuration.

[Retazo]

Hi

Forgive me if I have missed the answer to the question I am about to ask. I use Vista and as yet have been unable to type the relevant accents. I am not a great computer user. Can anyone explain how I can use accents or a site that I can access.

[eldeano]

Hi

Forgive me if I have missed the answer to the question I am about to ask. I use Vista and as yet have been unable to type the relevant accents. I am not a great computer user. Can anyone explain how I can use accents or a site that I can access.

I think that the link on post #37 of this thread can apply to Vista.

[Elvis]

:p It's all very well knowing how to type accents, the real problem is knowing when to use them.:p

[Perrault]

:p It's all very well knowing how to type accents, the real problem is knowing when to use them.:p

¡jijiji!

¡Tienes mucha razón!

[swaeraas]

Thank you very much pablo and Gary! In fact I have a MacBook that I'm very satisfied with, and I will try your suggestions at once! (but I am quite stupid in technical matters..)

[pabloscrito14]

Thanks for the Mac OS X tips, Pablo. I was aware of the keyboard mapping option, but didn't know about the option key method.

I've used the Dvorak layout for my English typing as it's supposed to be easier on the wrists. It's actually difficult for me to go back to a regular "QWERTY" layout now. I haven't found a Dvorak equivalent for Spanish, though, so I'll probably be using the option method.

[amjbrooks]

http://spanish.typeit.org/

Type on here and cut and paste :-)

[piperemirip3]

How do I do it on a laptop with ... wordpad or whatever if I want to then paste it into firefox? 'Cause the ALT method doesn't work (It may also be a WINDOWS VISTA thing, I'm not sure)

[Perro Callejero]

The ALT+ method only works with keyPADS, not the numbers in a row at the top of the keyboard. For laptops, most have some sort of "Num lock" key that you press, and then use the numbered keypad that share keys with some letters and hit num lock again to go back to typing.

[marie-chan]

Hi Guys... If you are using Vista or XP here's a trick.. go to-> control panel-> then-> Regional and Language Options ->Keyboards Languages->Change Keyboards(note: you're not really gonna change the keyboard you're just gonna add a new one) -> Add... (then select the language that you want to add..) then ok and apply..
the new language can be seen in your toolbar( in the right side) to switch between keyboards EN(english) ES (Spanish) just do this command: (left alt)+Shift then there you go. you can switch between keyboards.. it's like having two keyboards in one...

if you are confused about the characters in the new keyboard or dont know how to find them just do this.. go to-> control panel-> then-> Regional and Language Options ->Keyboards Languages->Change Keyboards(note: you're not really gonna change the keyboard you're just gonna add a new one) ->then select the spanish keyboard and then properties...

here's a video session that i've recorded... a video guide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc59XJ_mHfU

hope this can help;D

[Flanny]

Cómo escribir acentos de españoles en ventanas.
Cómo cambiar teclado a españoles en ventanas.

http://www.conversationexchange.com/...d-language.php (http://www.conversationexchange.com/resources/keyboard-language.php)

una imagen teclado de español.

http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/spa...s/kspanish.gif (http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/spanish/images/kspanish.gif)

Cómo cambiar teclado a españoles en "mac".

http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/inter...ds/mackey.html (http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/international/keyboards/mackey.html)

En "Linux" simplemente cambria el idioma en la entrada. Si necesaria, instale el idioma del CD de instalación.

[Cortez]

Hi Guys... If you are using Vista or XP here's a trick.. go to-> control panel-> then-> Regional and Language Options ->Keyboards Languages->Change Keyboards(note: you're not really gonna change the keyboard you're just gonna add a new one) -> Add... (then select the language that you want to add..) then ok and apply..
the new language can be seen in your toolbar( in the right side) to switch between keyboards EN(english) ES (Spanish) just do this command: (left alt)+Shift then there you go. you can switch between keyboards.. it's like having two keyboards in one...

I've done this but I've left it so it says EN in the language bar. Whilst it says EN I can press Alt Gr + e i o u a and get the accented versions but Alt Gr + n does not give me ñ. Any ideas why?

Also, I'd like to be able to press Alt Gr + ! and ? to get the upside down versions but that doesn't work either. Can it be done?

[Retazo]

I've done this but I've left it so it says EN in the language bar. Whilst it says EN I can press Alt Gr + e i o u a and get the accented versions but Alt Gr + n does not give me ñ. Any ideas why?

Also, I'd like to be able to press Alt Gr + ! and ? to get the upside down versions but that doesn't work either. Can it be done?

Cortez

I to have a similar problem to you with the exception I don't see the the EN at the top right hand side of the tool bar. But everything else is as you say. I have vista and have asked previously how I can obtain the accents over the letter and so far this is the closest I have come. :blush: I am not great with tech things so it could well be me. At least I now get some accents thanks to Marie-Chan help.

Can anyone else offer any further help? :(

Thanks

R

[luvmesmbdk]

OK, none of this is working for me. I'm on windows xp. What am I doing wrong?

[knita]

Dont forget
Option (alt) + 1 to give you the inverted exclamation mark - ¡Hola!

and
Option (alt) + Shift + ? for the inverted question mark - ¿Que?

----once youve had a Mac youll never go back!

Couldn't agree with you more!
A new convert

[Peg]

Thanks for unraveling the mystery!! This really helps!!:p

[SunSurfHome]

For any Ubuntu users that don't feel like searching through the Ubuntu and Linux forums, here is how I set up a Spanish keyboard in Jaunty Jackelope:



Click System/Preferences/Keyboard
Click Layouts tab
Click the Add button and follow the menus. (You may also wish to go ahead and print out a copy of the keyboard layout while you're at it.)
Right click on your panel of choice (the bar at the top or the bar at the bottom if your a n00b and have a regular sort of installation) and select "Add to Panel" from the pop-up menu.
Add the Keyboard Indicator.


You should now be able to click the keyboard indicator to alternate between keyboards. ¡Sí! ;D

Quick note: the [ key followed by a letter places an accent over the letter.

SSH

[sean_walsh01]

Cortez

I to have a similar problem to you with the exception I don't see the the EN at the top right hand side of the tool bar. But everything else is as you say. I have vista and have asked previously how I can obtain the accents over the letter and so far this is the closest I have come. :blush: I am not great with tech things so it could well be me. At least I now get some accents thanks to Marie-Chan help.

Can anyone else offer any further help? :(

Thanks

R


Cortez and Retazo - I seem to have similar problem with my windows vista laptop. Having changed the keyboard options I am able to:


get accents above letters by holding down Alt Gr with the letter
get upside down question marks and exclamation marks by holding down Alt Gr and Shift with ? or !
but to get the tilda on n, I can only seem to do it in a capital version: by holding down ctrl, shift, ~, and then pressing n
I think I will just take amjbrooks advice and copy and paste from that site

Sean

[Eiprilis]

Hola! I'm still having some problems with spanish alphabet on my pc. I've followed all rules listed above. Still,I can't write spanish accents.

Por ejemplo: Como esta'is?

missing question mark in the bigining and I've just tried to type spanish wole with combination '+i. Smth isn't going right..