How to map the keys to the symbols on a keyboard on MacBook Air?

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Level 1

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How to map the keys to the symbols on a keyboard on MacBook Air?

I recently bought an M1 MacBook Air in Spain. The keyboard has the Spanish characters, like ñ. I have changed the keyboard preference to "Spanish" in System Preferences

But the problem is that many keys dont match the keyboard.

For example, the "(" is above the 8 and the ")" is above the 9 on the keyboard.

But I want to type those characters, I have to use different keys.

For example, if I want an open bracket like this "(", I have to press a Shift+9 even thought the key shows a close bracket like this ")"

The same is for many keys that are not mapped the same as the symbol on the keyboard.

I have tried many combinations in the System Preferences menu, but find none that work.

Help!

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.3

Posted on May 3, 2021 8:21 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

116,012 points

May 3, 2021 11:03 AM in response to RickH_Oxford

RickH_Oxford wrote: I have changed the keyboard preference to "Spanish" in System Preferences

That's your problem. Apple's keyboard requires the input source called "Spanish ISO". So if you add that one and remove "Spanish" everything should match.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/type-language-mac-input-sources-mchlp1406/11.0/mac/11.0

(Don't ask me why they have one called "Spanish" which does not match a keyboard anyone uses....)

There is another Apple keyboard which requires an input source called "Latin American," but I doubt you would have bought that in Spain.

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Answer 2

K Shaffer

Level 8

35,002 points

May 3, 2021 12:49 PM in response to RickH_Oxford

An option may be to try & see if you may order or buy an 'apple' keyboard. Maybe one

like a "desktop model" would use (such as iMac.) ~Or, one from mac-centric aftermarket

brands, either with wired or wireless connection.

One of those with regional language configuration and keys may be quite useful.

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Answer 3

RickH_Oxford Author

Level 1

8 points

May 3, 2021 2:29 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

Hi Tom, thank you so much. The problem is fixed!

I had been flipping between Spanish and British with no joy....and I never thought to scroll down and look for another keyboard called Spanish ISO.

Interestingly/Annoyingly ...the MacBook picked up Spanish when I set it up...but not Spanish ISO!

Thanks again!

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Answer 4

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

116,012 points

May 3, 2021 2:33 PM in response to RickH_Oxford

RickH_Oxford wrote:

Interestingly/Annoyingly ...the MacBook picked up Spanish when I set it up...but not Spanish ISO!

It happens to a lot of people. Apple should have gotten rid of "Spanish" long ago.

Same thing happens to the Swedes: You need to activate "Swedish Pro" to have the right one, "Swedish" is wrong.

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Answer 5

RickH_Oxford Author

Level 1

8 points

May 3, 2021 2:49 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

I didnt know that either! Thanks

Would you be interested in a complimentary subscription to my newsletter as a way of saying thank you? It's called Wiser! and is about the tech economy.

If you like it, let me know and we´ll get you signed up

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How to map the keys to the symbols on a keyboard on MacBook Air?

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