Use the on-screen keyboard

To type or handwrite text, or to add images to files, documents, and emails, you can use your Chromebook’s on-screen keyboard.

Tip: To type text with the on-screen keyboard, you can use one or multiple fingers just as you would with a hardware keyboard.

1. Sign in to your Chromebook.
2. At the bottom right, select the time.
3. Select Settings 👁 Image
    👁 and then
    Accessibility.
4. Under "Keyboard and text input," turn on On-screen keyboard.

If your Chromebook can be used as a tablet, the on-screen keyboard will automatically open when you flip the screen of your Chromebook over its hinge.

If your default on-screen keyboard is the US keyboard, you’ll need to switch to a different keyboard to type with accented letters:

1. Open your Chromebook's on-screen keyboard.
2. Select Settings 👁 Image
   . 
3. At the bottom, select Advanced. 
4. Select Languages and input.
5. Under "Input method," select Manage input methods.
6. Select a keyboard other than the US keyboard.
   • If you only see the US keyboard, you'll need to add another keyboard language before going to the next step.
7. At the bottom of the on-screen keyboard, select AltGr.
8. Select the accented letters you'd like to type.

Type text with your voice

Fix problems with voice typing 

If you speak, but text doesn't show up on the page, try these steps:

• If you use an external microphone: Make sure it's fully plugged in, not muted, and has up-to-date software.
• If you have other open programs on your Chromebook: Make sure none of them are using your microphone.
• If you have more than one microphone input: At the bottom right, select the time and select the icon next to the volume slider. Make sure the correct microphone input is checked.

1. When you type a key phrase, like "my name is" or "my address is," your suggested personal info will appear.
2. To add your personal info, select the suggestion that appears in the bar.

1. On the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings 👁 Image
     
3. On the left, select Advanced 👁 and then
    Languages and input. 
4. Select Suggestions. 
5. Select Manage personal information.
6. Choose an option:
   • To add your personal contact info, next to "Addresses," select Add.
   • To edit your personal contact info, select More 👁 Image
      👁 and then
      Edit.
7. In the box that appears, fill out your preferred info.

1. On the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings 👁 Image
   . 
3. On the left panel, select Advanced 👁 and then
    Languages and input. 
4. Select Suggestions.
5. Turn off Personal information suggestions.

To insert emoji into documents, emails, and chat sessions:

1. Open your Chromebook's on-screen keyboard.
2. At the bottom, select Emoji 👁 Image
   .
3. Select the emoji or graphic you want to insert.

1. Select any text box to show the on-screen keyboard.
2. Select Handwrite 👁 Image
   .
3. In the pad that appears, write text with your fingertip or touchscreen stylus.

You can enter words by sliding your finger from letter to letter.

1. Open your Chromebook's on-screen keyboard.
2. Select the location where you want to type.
3. Slide your finger across the letters of the word you want to type.
4. Lift your finger when you finish the word.
   • You don't need to select the space key. When you lift your finger, a space is added automatically.
   • Optional: To change a word, select the word to review other choices.

Gesture typing is turned on automatically. To turn it off:

1. At the bottom right, select the time 👁 and then
   Settings 👁 Image
   .
2. At the bottom, select Advanced 👁 and then
    Languages and input 👁 and then
   Inputs.
3. Under "Input method," next to your enabled keyboard, tap New tab 👁 Image
   .
4. Uncheck the box for Enable glide typing.

1. Open your Chromebook's on-screen keyboard.
2. Select the location where you want to paste.
3. Select Clipboard 👁 Image
   .
4. When the clipboard appears, tap the items you want to paste.
   • Optional: To delete an item from your clipboard, long press on the item to select it and then tap Delete 👁 Image
     .

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings 👁 Image
    👁 and then
    Accessibility. 
3. Under "Keyboard and text input," turn off On-screen keyboard.