All of the Macs we manage are configured with English as the default language and keyboard layout. However, Mac OS X comes with nearly 50 languages and keyboard layouts and end-users can configure their own language input and keyboard layout settings by using the "System Preferences" application.

Here are some brief instructions for doing so:

After logging in to a Mac, click on the Apple Menu and choose the "System Preferences" item towards the top:

Once System Preferences opens, click on the "International" icon:

In the International panel, click on the "Input Menu" tab, as shown below. This is where you activate the secondary language(s) that you wish to use - simply check the box next to the desired language(s) to activate:

Click to enlarge

Once you've activated other languages, you will see a small American Flag icon appear along the menu bar, as shown below. To switch to the other languages you have enabled, choose the desired language from this menu. The "Open Inte you're in French keyboard mode. If you get unexpected results when typing, make sure you're using the correct keyboard layout.

The language/keyboard settings are reset to the defaults when a user logs out of a Mac, so subsequent users will always have English as the only active language when they log in.

If you have problems using this functionality of Mac OS X, please ask a consultant at the service counter for assistance.