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diff --git a/docs/unicode_and_additional_language_support.md b/docs/unicode_and_additional_language_support.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..562dae4b5c --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/unicode_and_additional_language_support.md @@ -0,0 +1,54 @@ +## Unicode support + +There are three Unicode keymap definition method available in QMK: + +### UNICODE_ENABLE + +Supports Unicode input up to 0xFFFF. The keycode function is `UC(n)` in +keymap file, where *n* is a 4 digit hexadecimal. + +### UNICODEMAP_ENABLE + +Supports Unicode up to 0xFFFFFFFF. You need to maintain a separate mapping +table `const uint32_t PROGMEM unicode_map[] = {...}` in your keymap file. +The keycode function is `X(n)` where *n* is the array index of the mapping +table. + +### UCIS_ENABLE + +TBD + +Unicode input in QMK works by inputing a sequence of characters to the OS, +sort of like macro. Unfortunately, each OS has different ideas on how Unicode is inputted. + +This is the current list of Unicode input method in QMK: + +* UC_OSX: MacOS Unicode Hex Input support. Works only up to 0xFFFF. Disabled by default. To enable: go to System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Input Sources, and enable Unicode Hex. +* UC_LNX: Unicode input method under Linux. Works up to 0xFFFFF. Should work almost anywhere on ibus enabled distros. Without ibus, this works under GTK apps, but rarely anywhere else. +* UC_WIN: (not recommended) Windows built-in Unicode input. To enable: create registry key under `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Input Method\EnableHexNumpad` of type `REG_SZ` called `EnableHexNumpad`, set its value to 1, and reboot. This method is not recommended because of reliability and compatibility issue, use WinCompose method below instead. +* UC_WINC: Windows Unicode input using WinCompose. Requires [WinCompose](https://github.com/samhocevar/wincompose). Works reliably under many (all?) variations of Windows. + +## Additional language support + +In `quantum/keymap_extras/`, you'll see various language files - these work the same way as the alternative layout ones do. Most are defined by their two letter country/language code followed by an underscore and a 4-letter abbreviation of its name. `FR_UGRV` which will result in a `ù` when using a software-implemented AZERTY layout. It's currently difficult to send such characters in just the firmware. + +## International Characters on Windows + +[AutoHotkey](https://autohotkey.com) allows Windows users to create custom hotkeys among others. + +The method does not require Unicode support in the keyboard itself but depends instead of AutoHotkey running in the background. + +First you need to select a modifier combination that is not in use by any of your programs. +CtrlAltWin is not used very widely and should therefore be perfect for this. +There is a macro defined for a mod-tab combo `LCAG_T`. +Add this mod-tab combo to a key on your keyboard, e.g.: `LCAG_T(KC_TAB)`. +This makes the key behave like a tab key if pressed and released immediately but changes it to the modifier if used with another key. + +In the default script of AutoHotkey you can define custom hotkeys. + + <^<!<#a::Send, ä + <^<!<#<+a::Send, Ä + +The hotkeys above are for the combination CtrlAltGui and CtrlAltGuiShift plus the letter a. +AutoHotkey inserts the Text right of `Send, ` when this combination is pressed. + |