To type text in another language, you should install and enable a keyboard layout. While it is possible to type text in some languages without a keyboard layout, we do not recommend that you do it. Some ways that a keyboard layout can enhance your experience working in another language in Microsoft Office include the following:

Keyboard layouts are a Microsoft Windows feature, rather than a Microsoft Office feature, but instructions on installing them are provided below for your convenience.What do you want to do?

Install a keyboard layout in Windows Vista

  1. In Microsoft Windows Vista, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboards or other input methods.

    Note In Classic view, double-click Regional and Language Options, and then click the Keyboards and Languages tab.

  3. Under Keyboards and other input languages, click Change keyboards.
  4. Under Installed services, click Add.
  5. Click the plus symbol next to the language for which you want to install a keyboard layout, and then click the plus symbol next to Keyboard.
  6. Select the check box next to the keyboard layout that you want to install. When you have finished selecting keyboard layouts, click OK.
  7. If you want to enable or customize how you switch keyboard layouts using the Language bar, click the Language Bar tab, and then modify the options you want.

Install a keyboard layout in Windows XP

  1. In Microsoft Windows XP, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options, and then click Regional and Language Options.

    Note In Classic view, double-click Regional and Language Options.

  3. Click the Languages tab, and then under Text services and input languages, click Details.
  4. Under Installed services, click Add.
  5. In the Input language list, click the language for which you want to install a keyboard layout.

    I don't see the language I want to enable in the Input language list

    For languages such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean to appear, the East Asian languages must be installed. For languages that are read from right to left, or that require contextual shaping to appear, Complex Scripts must be installed. For more information, see .
  6. If the language that you select has more than one possible keyboard layout, select the Keyboard layout/IME check box, and then, in the list, click the layout that you want.
  7. If you want to be able to switch keyboard layouts by using the Language bar, under Preferences, click Language Bar, and then select the Show the Language bar on the desktop check box.

Get more information on keyboard layouts in Windows Help

The Windows Help system provides additional information and troubleshooting guidance on keyboard layouts.

  1. Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
  2. Type keyboard layouts in the Search field, and then press ENTER.
  3. Click a topic in the Suggested Topics list.

See also: