How to Write in Another Language on Your Mac Computer

Download Article

Type in 2 or more languages on your Mac

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 28, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to change the language in which your keyboard types on your Mac.

Quick Steps

Go to System Settings… > Keyboard > Input Sources.
Click ➕, choose a language, and click Add.
Check the "Show Input menu in menu bar" toggle, click on the flag or language icon that appears, and choose the language you want to use with your keyboard.

Steps

Download Article

The Apple menu opens when you click the black apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.^{[1]
X
Research source}
It's in the sidebar menu on the left of the System Settings window. You might have to scroll down to find it.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
You'll see this on the right side of the window under the "Text Input" header with a list of current languages.
4
Click ➕ below the left pane of the dialog box. You'll find the plus sign icon below the left pane where your keyboard's current languages are displayed.
- Clicking this will allow you to add another language to your keyboard so you can easily switch to it.
5
Click on a language. They're listed alphabetically.
- Keyboard languages that have already been added are at the top of the list.
6
Click the desired keyboard/input style for the language. They're displayed in the right pane of the dialog box.
- An example of the keyboard layout will appear below the right pane when you click on an input source.
You'll be able to type in that language now, but you still have to switch your keyboard to that language. Follow the next steps to switch.
8
Toggle on Show Input menu in menu bar. Make sure the toggle next to "Show input menu in menu bar" is enabled (showing blue) so you can quickly switch your keyboard language. You'll see this option at the top of the Input Sources menu.
- When you're finished, click Done at the bottom right corner of the window.
Look for a symbol in the menu bar at the top of your Mac's screen. It should look like a flag or a rectangle containing a language symbol (such as US for American English). Click it to open a dropdown menu.
10
Click on the language you want to use with your keyboard. Follow the same steps whenever you want to change the language again.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Alternatively, press the Globe key to change your input language. If pressing it does nothing or something else, go to System Settings > Keyboard and make sure the Globe key is set to change your input source.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Where is the flag key mentioned above? I can't see it on my keyboard.

Community Answer

The flag key should be located in the top right corner, by the clock. If you haven't added any secondary keyboards and it's not there, open your Settings and go to Keyboard Preferences. From there add whichever keyboards you want and then change the active keyboard easily from the flag icon.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 28 Helpful 15
Question

Why doesn't 'command + space' work for me?

Community Answer

It might be conflicting with other apps that use the same shortcut, so you may want to change the shortcut by going to the Apple menu, into your System Preferences, and clicking on Keyboard. From there, you can click Shortcuts to change what that keyboard shortcut does.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 36 Helpful 33
Question

What is the difference between a Greek keyboard and Greek polytonic keyboard?

Community Answer

There are a few additional symbols on the Greek polytonic keyboard that were used in ancient Greece but aren't used nowadays. This option is pretty much solely for people who need to type an ancient Greek text.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 4