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Introduction to German/Input

From Wikiversity

How to type German characters into the computer

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Windows

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(for these characters ensure that the num lock is on)

  • For ä, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 3, 2 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For Ä, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 4, 2 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For ö, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 4, 8 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For Ö, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 5, 3 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For ü, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 2, 9 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For Ü, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 5, 4 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
  • For ß, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 2, 2, 5 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.

Alternatively you can use the US-International keyboard layout.

  • For ä, hold down AltGr, and press Q.
  • For Ä, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press Q.
  • For ö, hold down AltGr, and press P.
  • For Ö, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press P.
  • For ü, hold down AltGr, and press Y.
  • For Ü, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press Y.
  • For ß, hold down AltGr, and press s
  • For ü, ö, and ä, hold down option-u, release, and type u, o, or a.
  • For ß type option-s.

GNU / Linux

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Set up a key on the keyboard as the compose key. In GNOME this can be found in via the System -> Preferences -> Keyboard utility, on the Layout Options tab. To type an a letter with an umlaut, press the compose key followed by " and then the desired letter. To type the letter ß, press the compose key followed by the s key twice.