Linux set compose key. 04 Bionic Beaver? A Compose Key in Linux is a special key that allows users to enter a sequence of characters that produce special symbols or accented letters. Upvoting indicates when questions and answers are useful. Keyboards don’t have specific compose keys. Type text symbols with your keyboard. To produce a character, hold down the compose with the key in the meta column below then type the key in the combo column below to get the result. Aug 14, 2022 · The compose key sequences used by Gnome are derived from the X compose tables of XFree86 version 4. Sep 22, 2008 · The following instructions will configure a <compose> key, which will be mapped to the <right logo> key (on most keyboards this logo is the Windows logo). Feb 9, 2014 · 53 I had a Compose Key set to right Super (a. The procedure is good to enable a compose key in Xorg, but how to enable the compose key on a Wayland system ? Find out how to setup and use Compose Key shortcuts on Linux. Here’s how: Open the quick settings menu from the top right corner, for example, and select the settings gear icon (⚙). 0 with further modifications to provide a Gnome standard for all locales. em-dash — by pressing Compose then - - - ö by pressing Compose then : o Euro € by pressing Compose then C = (The Compose key fun Unleash the power of Linux's secret keyboard keys. 04 Gnome desktop. Jun 26, 2025 · SOLVED: Configuring Compose key Forum rules Before you post read how to get help. This quick tutorial is going to show you how to enable compose key to allow entering a wide variety of special characters in Ubuntu 18. Compose key Xfce keyboard layout settings window, featuring a compose-key option A compose key (sometimes called multi key) is a key on a computer keyboard that indicates that the following (usually 2 or more) keystrokes trigger the insertion of an alternate character, typically a precomposed character or a symbol. For a quick and easy reference of common and foundational sequences, download our compose key cheat sheet. This article has provided you a comprehensive guide to define your Compose Key across various environments, along with troubleshooting tips and common sequences to ease your workflow. Windows) key using Gnome keybindings. Where can I enable Compose Key? I can't find any option under System Settings > Keyboard. What's reputation and how do I get it? Instead, you can save this post to reference later. This is particularly handy for typing characters in languages other than English, as well as for inputting mathematical symbols, emoji, and other special glyphs. Jul 7, 2022 · Fortunately, Linux provides access to these through a compose key. 44 Now that Unity is gone, the usual way of setting a Compose Key (via Keyboard Preferences > Layout) no longer works (because in Ubuntu 18. In GNOME, you can use the Compose Key to type special characters from different languages and symbol sets, including those not available on your keyboard. Many people choose to use one of the "Windows" keys, or the "Menu" key, or one of the "Alt" keys. (For more information on GSettings keys, see Section 9. Plasma Workspace A compose key for Windows, free and open-source, created by Sam Hocevar. Does anyone know how I can set A compose key is a special key that allows you to press multiple keys in a row to get a special character. I also tried "setxdbmap -option compose:ralt", but there is no effect. E. Press the compose key you had set earlier followed by the sequence of characters shown in the left column and it will output the characters in the second column in Setting a system-wide Compose Key in Linux significantly enhances your typing efficiency when dealing with multiple languages, special characters, and symbols. To input these special characters, you can define one of the existing keys on your keyboard as a A compose key may be assigned to quickly produce certain characters from a keyboard. Instead, you can define one of the existing keys on your keyboard as a compose key. Does anyone know how I can set See Character Encodings in Linux. A compose key allows to easily write special characters such as é ž à ō û ø ☺ ¤ ∅ « ♯ ⸘ Ⓚ ㊷ ♪ ♬ using short and often very intuitive key combinations. Jun 9, 2025 · How to Enable and Set the “Compose” Key on Linux Gnome Time needed: 3 minutes To pick a Compose key for entering special characters under Linux using Gnome: Open the Settings app. It provides sequences covering mathematics, typography, music, arrows, diacritics, currency, and See Character Encodings in Linux. Go to the Keyboard category. ) Procedure 13. There's no compose key on your keyboard, at least not by default, but you can designate a key you're not otherwise using as your compose key. k. This may seem like an additional burden, but for frequent users, it will soon become muscle memory. 3. In the Type Special Characters section, click Compose Key. Sep 10, 2025 · A small clip showing the working of the compose key in GNOME. [1] Aug 1, 2012 · I would like to define a compose key on my system (Debian Sid "Wheezy"). On Linux, the Compose key is a great way to enter many symbols. May 11, 2025 · The following instructions will configure a compose key, which will be mapped to the right logo key (on most keyboards this logo is the Windows logo). How do we set a Compose Key in Ubuntu 18. This blog post will take you on a journey through Define a compose key Open the Activities overview and start typing Settings. Essential compose key codes Yes, you need to know the character code. Jun 6, 2014 · Key combinations for the Compose key, based on a default Ubuntu character setup. You can enter and view special characters from different languages and symbol sets, making it easy to work with diverse character sets in GNOME. The first step is to define a Compose key, also known as a Multi_key key. Tick the checkbox of the key that you want to set as the Compose key. After upgrading, I seem to have lost the Compose Key function. It provides a convenient way to generate a wide range of characters without having to remember complex keyboard shortcuts or search through character maps. They could be composed within various applications, including various text editors, shells or certain other packages. Personally, I use Right Ctrl. 6, “GSettings Keys Properties”. For instance, ö is obtained using o + ", and ♥ is obtained using < + 3. I had to set the compose key up myself, using System Settings → Keyboard. These could include a letter with an accent such as é; a letter with a diacritic such as ç; or various symbols and emojis such as ≥, ☺, etc. Click Keyboard in the sidebar to open the panel. Console Configuration Dec 29, 2024 · By default, the compose key is not set up in Ubuntu. Select the one you prefer. As an alternative to the Character Map tool, use Compose Key sequences can be the most effective way to type often used special characters. I would like to set it up on my Alt-Gr key (righ Jun 10, 2025 · In the world of Ubuntu, the Compose Key is a hidden gem that can significantly enhance your typing efficiency, especially when dealing with special characters, symbols, and accented letters. Apr 15, 2022 · Compose Key Cheat Sheet The compose key allows you to enter symbols not printed on the keys of your keyboard. On my keyboard, the “right-Alt” key is the compose key. Click on Settings. Sep 22, 2014 · I am trying to type accented characters from my US keyboard, but I cannot make the "compose key" working on my Mint 17 Cinnamon. gnome. Apr 29, 2023 · Many people define compose keys so that they can type international characters as well as the symbol for the Euro and Pound Stirling on a local keyboard. desktop. Topics in this forum are automatically closed 6 months after creation. WinCompose also supports Emoji input for 😁 👻 👍 💩 🎁 🌹 🐊. To enable the Compose key and configure a certain key on your keyboard as the Compose key, set the org. Contains a list of Compose Key sequences. However, this option no longer exists in Mint 17. I use the Alt key to the right of the spacebar on my desktop keyboard and the Menu key on my laptop. a. Close the dialog. I have no Xorg (and don't want any desktop environment). 04, Devices > Keyboard has no Layout tab). That way, the setting will be enabled by default for all users on your system. For example, to type the accented letter é, you can press compose then ' then e. So there is no default compose key on Ubuntu. input-sources. For example, if one were to choose the <AltGr Nov 28, 2012 · You'll need to complete a few actions and gain 15 reputation points before being able to upvote. g. Only in terminal. xkb-options GSettings key. I remember in earlier editions, I can set up my compose key in either "Regional Settings" or "Keyboard Shortcuts". Turn the switch on for the Compose Key. . l6 xh c7 8dmg3hv 31h m08r di brxspm rimyf 3tzm