How do I Type Spanish on a Regular Keyboard?

Change your computer settings to type in Spanish using a regular keyboard.

If you want to type in Spanish, you'll need to learn a few keyboard shortcuts and set your keyboard up in a way that enables you to use the accents that Spanish requires. After you've done this, you'll be able to use all of the Spanish letters and accents. Fortunately, the Spanish and English alphabet are similar, with Spanish only using three additional characters. This means that you can type in Spanish from a basic keyboard.

Instructions

1. Access the control panel on your computer by clicking the "Start" button in the lower-left corner of the screen and selecting "Control Panel."

2. Click on the "Regional and Language Options" button. This opens a new window.

3. Click the "Languages" tab, then the "Details" button if you're using Windows XP. If you're using Vista or Windows 7, click the "Change Keyboards" button.

4. Select the "Add" button. This will open up a new window.

5. Choose "United States International" from the new window. This will change the configuration of your keyboard, allowing you to type in accents with ease.

6. Click "OK," then "Apply." Your keyboard is now set up to type in Spanish, but you'll have to master some basic commands to type the accents.

7. Type in an accented letter by striking two keys: first the accent key, then the letter to which it corresponds.

   á = ' + a

   é = ' + e

   í = ' + i

   ó = ' + o

   ú = ' + u

   ñ = ~ + n

   ü = " + u

   Note that if you need to use quotation marks ("), you will need to press the quotation mark key, then the space bar for them to appear.

8. Type Spanish punctuation by holding down the "Alt" key and pressing the related punctuation key. For instance:

   Holding "Alt" and pressing "!" leads to ¡

   Holding "Alt" and pressing "?" leads to ¿

Tips & Warnings

• Change your keyboard back by going back into the settings and selecting "U.S. Standard" from the keyboard menu.

• Some keys will not work as they have before, notably punctuation marks, which now require that you press the space key before they'll appear.

References

• StudySpanish.com: Typing Spanish Accents