Changing the Computer Input Keyboard Language: Apple/Mac

Updated: November 19, 2024

You may also visit: Mac User Guide: Write in another language on Mac

  1. Adding other input languages
  2. Switching between languages
  3. Guide to switching languages while using Respondus Lockdown Browser

Adding other input languages

  1. Go to Settings
    A screenshot of System Settings app icon on a Apple/Mac computer.
  2. Go to Keyboard
    A screenshot of Keyboard Button in the System Settings app on a Apple/Mac computer.
  3. In the Text Edit area, go to Edit to add or remove languages
    Edit area in the Text Edit area in the keyboard section of the System Settings app.
  4. Within the Input Sources area, you may add/remove languages and make other choices regarding the behavior of your computer.

To add a language, click the small plus sign “+” in the bottom left.

Input Sources Area of the Settings App with the plus sign button circled in the bottom left.

Example: Add Japanese as a language to your computer

After clicking the + sign, you may select one or more languages to add. Notice the display shows you keyboard layout for the chosen language:

Language Selection Screen Pop Up after clicking + at the bottom left of Input Sources Area of the Settings App

Switching between languages

Your system has several ways to switch input languages.

Use keyboard shortcuts:

  • Press Control-Space bar to select the last input source you used
  • Press Control-Option-Space bar to select the next input source in the Input menu.
  • To view all your input sources, press and hold the Control key, then press the Space bar. Continue pressing the Space bar until the input source you want to switch to is selected

From the Menu Bar

  • Click the language abbreviation to see a menu of available languages
    Screenshot of Language Dropdown activated by a click on Select Language Button on Menu Bar

Note: After adding some languages with non-Western characters, your Input Sources Menu may give you an addition option of switching between languages by pressing the CAPS LOCK key twice:

Screenshot of All input Sources Screen in Settings, with the Caps Lock Key Option Switch Circled

Guide to switching languages while using Respondus Lockdown Browser in Canvas

Canvas “Classic Quizzes“

  1. Open the Lockdown Browser application
  2. Log into Canvas with an English language keyboard
  3. Navigate to your quiz and begin.
  4. You may switch languages by using the keyboard shortcuts outlined above in the previous section of this document.

Canvas “New Quizzes“

“New” quizzes will open the lockdown browser automatically. You may first open the Lockdown Browser application or open canvas through your normal web browser

  1. With the Lockdown Browser application open, log into Canvas with an English language keyboard.
  2. Navigate to your quiz and begin.
  3. You may switch languages by using the keyboard shortcuts outlined above in the previous section of this document.