Keyboard layout change in Ubuntu

May 11, 2006 [Tech]

I've had this problem a couple of times in my Ubuntu machine. I installed it with US keyboard layout, and then changed it to UK later (for my user). Even when I select the correct keyboard model (Generic 105-key (Intl) PC), and layout (United Kingdom International) some keys still act weirdly (e.g. pressing " does nothing, and if I press it twice I get a strange "-like symbol). I fixed it by running:

sudo xmodmap /usr/share/xmodmap/xmodmap.uk

Comments

Andre 2007-08-01

Thanks Andy! Lost my swedish ÅåÄäÖö, and found them here ;–)

Andy Balaam 2007-08-01

Great news Andre – wouldn’t want you to have to survive without them…

Vince 2008-01-15

Great! Works fine with a UK Keyboard stuck in French mode for historical reasons…

Nick Mann 2015-07-08

http://askubuntu.com/questions/434849/change-...
has an answer that worked for me

sudo apt-get install console-common
sudo dpkg-reconfigure console-data

Andy Balaam 2015-07-08

Thanks Nick.

Tony 2008-06-04

I have a Compaq Presario R3000 lap top. I can not seem to get the layout right no matter what. I purchased it in Canada. I guess the layout is the same as US. Non of my SHIFT characters are correct and i am missing @ from the keyboard entirely. Any suggestions?

Ozbo 2008-07-29

Thanks, this solved my problem when nothing else could. By the way I needed my slovenian configuration by changing last two letters into si. THANKS REALLLLY

arun 2008-11-01

thanx dude it ran

Peter 2008-12-15

I’d like to use ubuntu with at least 3 language layouts without having to write scripts if possible. Is there any option like in windows where you can change with alt-tab?

Andy Balaam 2008-12-15

Hi Peter, the "Keyboard Indicator" applet might help, but I’ve no idea really I’m afraid. You can install that by right-clicking on the Panel, choosing "Add to Panel…" and then clicking "Keyboard Indicator", then "Add". Good luck!

Peter 2008-12-16

Muchas gracias :) That’s what i’ve been looking for. If i find a hotkey for the function, i’ll post it here. thx again :)

Andy Balaam 2008-12-16

Glad to be of help :)

jess 2009-04-06

thanks andy!!:)got really scared for a min!!thank you sooo much

gowtham 2009-04-20

Hi andy and others, i have installed ubuntu in my DELL INSPIRON-1525, my keys are not working inside terminals.. Backspace is not functioning and many more strange symbols.. i have a layout of USA and DELL in my settings.. help me out.. thank you..

Chris 2009-06-06

Cheers mate, another problem solved ;)

Malgosia 2009-06-24

Thanks, that solved my problem of not having all this bountiful polish characters as well!

random guy 2009-08-17

Thank You very much !!!!!

chris lanz 2009-09-16

I was so glad to get your message about sudo xmodmap

Now at least I can do ‘ and ` and ~ and ^ but now " and @ are reversed. I’ll try some other layouts… .I guess I can learn to substitute shift-2 for shift-

I’m on a Dell Inspiron

chris lanz 2009-09-16

Actually, it seems I’ll have to run the sudo xmodmap every time I boot. Is there any way I can get it into a config.sys or autoexec.bat, to use a couple of ancient terms?

ulkas 2009-10-22

2chris lanz:
just put it into automatic sessions:
menu-system-preferences-sessions

miki 2010-01-26

andy balaam, yes!, this was a great help indeed, should be more widely known one, I am using Linux for 10 years and never got to it…Thanks! Croatian and Polish, with mandarin (zhujin), really good.

Pox 2007-03-18

the ¨¨ thing is caused by the International layout – pressing ‘ and then a will make á.

Michael 2007-04-21

thanks Andy :–) that solved a few issues

cheers Mate

Sean 2007-05-15

Thanks. This has been a big help!

Andy Balaam 2007-05-15

Glad to be of service!

Andreas Zieritz 2007-12-01

Seems to fix a problem i had on my Norwegian PC as well.
øøøææææÆÆÆ back again.