External keyboard has different language than computer, how can I use external keyboard as default?

Question

External keyboard has different language than computer, how can I use external keyboard as default?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Aug 14, 2011 4:29 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

124,244 points

Aug 14, 2011 6:17 AM in response to fionafromlexington

You should go to system preferences/language & text/input sources and have only the box checked for the layout of your external keyboard if that is the only one you want to use. If you must have more boxes checked because you need to use both keyboards, you can easily switch between them via Apple/command + space. I don't know of any way to set one of them as default.

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 15, 2011 12:02 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Great, thanks. Very helpful. Now that I have done the first step you described, I do not seem to have all the functions as I used to -- for example the "at sign" used for emails no longer functions with the alt key. Any ideas?

The second part you mention about switching between the two languages, I was uncertain what you meant. If I am using the foreign lanuage external keyboard now (Swedish) and want to use the main keyboard in English, how do I do that? I have checked both English and Swedish under input sources. (What is the difference between Swedish and Swedish Pro or US and US extended)?

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

124,244 points

Aug 15, 2011 2:55 AM in response to fionafromlexington

You should go back to system prefs/language & text/input sources and also check the box for Keyboard Viewer, plus the box for Show Input Menu in Menu Bar.

By selecting Keyboard Viewer in the "flag" menu at the top right of the screen, you can easily see which key does what for any layout you have active. You can also use that menu to switch between Swedish and US when you switch hardware keyboards.

US Extended lets you type a wider range of diacritic marks using the alt key. Swedish Pro has @ at alt + 2 while Swedish has it at alt + ' (there may be other differences).

Reply