How to add a language to the keyboard
You can customize your keyboard to type the characters of a wide variety of languages. You make these changes by selecting a new input locale. If, for example, you choose a French input locale your keyboard will be changed so that it contains the characters necessary to type in French. Your keyboard will be remapped so that it reflects the typical keyboard layout for typing in French. Note: this is not what you want to do if all you want is a word or phrase in a different langauge. If what you want is to type just a little using the characters in a different language look at how to insert special characters in the application you are using. Or click here for information on using "Character map".
You can also change a new keyboard layout to keep the same character set but assign the characters to different keys. For example you can choose to keep the English language characters but install the Dvorak keyboard. The Dvorak keyboard puts the characters in different locations. If you don't already know the effect of changing the keyboard layout, then don't change it.
You should note that changing the keyboard affects the characters you type, but it does not affect the default display format for such things as numbers, currency, date and time. For example if you change to a French keyboard applications such as Lotus Notes will still present dates in the default US English format, and Excel will still format currency as US dollars. To change the default display format to reflect geographic location see document 69041 — How to select formats according to location.
Install a new language to the keyboard in Windows 2000.
Install a different keyboard layout for a language that is already loaded on Windows 2000.
Switch from one keyboard to another on Windows 2000.
Install a new language or layout to the keyboard in Windows 2000
To add a language or new layout to the keyboard of your Windows 2000 machine, follow these steps:
Close all open programs (e.g. Word, Excel, Lotus Notes etc should all be closed before you begin.)
Select Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.
Double-click on the Regional Options icon to open it.
Click on the Input Locales tab.
Click on Add .... An Add Input Locale window will open.
In the
Input locale: box click on the down arrow
to open the list of language choices.
Scroll down the list to find your language choice, click on that choice.
Do not click in the "Keyboard layout/IME:" box unless you are intending to select a keyboard layout different from the default for the selected language. Selecting a different keyboard layout can cause unexpected results.
If your language choice is not available click back to the General tab. Select your language under "Language settings for the system". Click " Apply". If you get a prompt to insert a disk follow the instructions in Step 10.
Click OK.
Click Apply.
If an "Insert Disk" window opens then:
Click OK. A "Files needed" window will open.
In the " Copy files from:" box type p:\build\win2kfiles\i386
Click OK
Make sure the box next to Enable indicator on taskbar is checked.
Click OK to close the Keyboard Properties window.
Your keyboard should now be loaded with the character set for the chosen language.
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If you want a different keyboard layout for a language that is already loaded:
Select Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.
Double-click on the Regional Options icon to open it.
Click on the Input Locales tab.
Click on Properties...
An Input Locales Properties window will open.
In the Keyboard layout/IME: scroll through the available layouts. select the one you want and click on OK to close the window. Note: Be sure you understand the effect of the chosen layout before selecting it.
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To switch from one keyboard to another:
Click on the indicator in the system tray of the task bar, then click on the desired language.
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Using "Character map" in Windows 2000.
Click on the Start button, then select Programs
Select Accessories, then System Tools, and then click Character Map.
Scroll through the Fonts and S ubsets to find the character you want.
You can then copy and paste the characters you need from Character Map into your document.
Using "Character map" in Windows NT4.
Click on the Start button, then select Programs
Select Accessories, then click Character Map.
Scroll through the Fonts and S ubsets to find the character you want.
You can then copy and paste the characters you need from Character Map into your document.
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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2000
All rights reserved.
Created: db 08/30/1999
Revised: db 03/14/2000