How to Add and Switch Keyboard Layouts and Input Sources in Ubuntu

Writing in multiple languages, typing specialized currency symbols (like the British Pound or Euro), or switching between QWERTY, AZERTY, and Dvorak layouts requires configuring multiple input sources in Ubuntu. While Ubuntu lets you choose a primary keyboard layout during initial operating system installation, adding secondary languages and mastering quick keyboard shortcuts lets you toggle between languages effortlessly mid-sentence.

Why Configure Multiple Keyboard Layouts?

Managing your input sources properly accelerates multilingual workflows:

• Multilingual Typing: Seamlessly type in French, German, Spanish, Arabic, or Hindi without reconfiguring system locale or restarting software.
• Accurate Special Characters: Match physical foreign keyboards purchased overseas with their correct software symbol maps.
• Top Bar Indicator: Ubuntu adds a handy language indicator tile (such as en, es, or fr) to your top status bar for instant visual verification.

How to Add a New Keyboard Layout in Ubuntu Settings

Adding new language layouts is managed through the Keyboard panel:

1. Click the Quick Settings menu in the top-right corner of the Ubuntu desktop and click the Settings gear icon.
2. In the left sidebar of the Settings window, click on Keyboard.
3. Locate the Input Sources section. You will see your currently active primary keyboard layout.
4. Click the + (Add) button beneath the input sources list.
5. A dialogue box titled Add an Input Source will appear.
6. Browse through the common language list or click the three vertical dots menu to search for specialized regional dialects and layouts.
7. Select your language (for example, English (UK) or Spanish), choose the exact layout variant, and click the green Add button.
8. The new layout will appear in your Input Sources list, and a small language code icon will immediately appear on your Ubuntu top bar.

How to Switch Between Keyboard Layouts Instantly

Ubuntu provides multiple intuitive ways to cycle through your active input sources:

• Keyboard Shortcut: Press Super (Windows Key) + Space to switch to the next input source. A small transparent pop-up switcher will appear on screen showing your selected layout. Pressing Shift + Super + Space cycles in reverse.
• Mouse Selection: Click the language code (e.g., EN) in the top-right corner of your top bar and click on any language in the dropdown list.

Per-Window vs Global Input Sources

In the same Settings > Keyboard menu, look at the options under Input Source Options:

• Use the same source for all windows: Changing languages affects every open app globally.
• Allow different sources for each window: Remembers your language selection per application—ideal if you write code in English in your terminal while drafting emails in French in your browser.