see also Open Office Writer for language students
Umlauts and accented characters can be typed in several ways. The best way for PC users is probably to install the German or International English keyboard software, and simply type the characters. No need to change your physical keyboard, just install the software determining which character appears when you press a particular key.
Other approaches are to use the Alt key, to copy and paste or use the two character equivalents.
Keyboard layout
This is the German (Germany) keyboard mapping.
In Windows systems, after installing the keyboard software, it's much easier to type German text.
Letters and numbers are the same as the English UK/US keyboard except that Y and Z are reversed. For the umlauts, ö is : ä is @ and [ is ü.
The second key from the right on the top row (=+) is a silent key. Press it and then a vowel for an acute or qrave accent, thus é is =e and è is +e.
For other keys, refer to the diagram.
picture © Tim Phillips shown by permission
Typing German characters with the Alt key
Make sure that number lock is on. In any application, hold down the Alt key and type the number from the table on the number pad. The character will appear when you release the Alt key.
ß Alt+225
ä Alt+132 Ä Alt+142
ö Alt+148 Ö Alt+153
ü Alt+129 Ü Alt+154
„ Alt+0132 ” Alt+0148
For more see accent marks [www.starr.net/is/type/altnum.htm]
Copy and paste from here
ß ä Ä ö Ö ü Ü „ ”
[in Word, do Edit>Paste Special>Unformatted text]
Two character equivalents
ß ss
ä ae Ä AE
ö oe Ö OE
ü ue Ü UE
Installing the German Keyboard software (Windows systems)
If you need more accented characters than the German ones, install the English International keyboard software. For help and a keyboard map see International Accent Marks [www.starr.net/is/type/intlchart.html]
To install the German keyboard software, go to Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Languages > Details
From this dialogue box:
- Click 'Add' and select German (Germany). Click OK.
- Click 'Language Bar'. If desired check 'Show the Language Bar on the Desktop'.
- Click 'Key Settings' and note what they are. Adjust if desired.
Click OK several times
You will now be able to select the German keyboard in any application, from the language bar or with key sequences according to your settings. You can change between keyboards at any time, even in mid word if you wish.
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