How to Change the Keyboard Layout in OS X

The Mac OS X operating system includes keyboard layouts for any language for which it offers support. By changing the keyboard layout in OS X, you change what characters OS X produces when you type the keys on your keyboard. There are keyboards available for different languages and also different US keyboard layouts such as Dvorak.

Instructions

1. Click on the “Apple” menu and select “System Preferences.”

2. Click the “Language & Text” icon in the “System Preferences.” If you are using Mac OS X 10.5, click “International.”

3. Click the “Input Sources” tab. In 10.5, this is the “Input Menu.”

4. Find the desired keyboard layout in the menu on the left side of the screen. Place a checkmark in the box next to the layout.

5. Place a checkmark in the box next to “Show input menu in menu bar.”

6. Click the “Input Menu” icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Highlight the keyboard layout you want to use. The new keyboard layout activates in OS X. You have the option of returning to the previous keyboard layout using the “Input Menu” at any time.

References

• Apple: Mac OS X 10.5 Help - About Keyboard Layouts

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish