How to Change the Keyboard to Spanish on a Mac Powerbook

PowerBooks are the older versions of Mac notebooks, but they can still be useful. Most PowerBooks run on Mac OS X, which can easily change the keyboard settings from one language to another. Mac OS X can even change your entire computer from English to another language. If you want to change your PowerBook keyboard to Spanish, that can be done without any need for added software or hardware. Mac OS X has a handy international languages setting installed on all Macs that allows each Mac to type in multiple languages.

Instructions

1. Go to "System Preferences" in the Apple menu on the upper left hand side of the screen. Open "System Preferences."

2. Select "International" from the Personal menu icons. Click on it, and a new window will open.

3. Select "Español" from the "Languages" menu. Drag Español to the top of the list. Click on the "Input Menu," and another new window will open.

4. Scroll down to Spanish and select which Spanish keyboard you would like to use, Spanish or Spanish ISO. Check the box next to to the setting you prefer. Close the "System Preferences" window.

5. Log out of your Mac, or restart it for the changes to take place.

6. Change the Flag icon from the American flag to the Spanish flag in the flag icon next to your Date and Time in the menu bar to type in Spanish on your Mac.

Tips & Warnings

• You will have to use special commands for special characters.

• Mac OS 9 cannot change language preferences without completely reinstalling software in a different language.

References

• University of Utah: Mac OS X Language Settings
• Apple: Mac 101: Set Your Preferences

Resources

• Study Spanish: Typing Spanish Accents