This wikiHow teaches you how to type Indian characters on a Windows PC if your computer doesn't use Indian as its primary language. If you have a physical Indian keyboard, you just need to install the Indian language pack and keyboard layout. Otherwise, you can use the Indian onscreen keyboard from the Google Input Tools extension to type entries on the internet, or the built-in Windows onscreen keyboard to type text in non-internet applications (eg Microsoft Word).
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Google Input Tools on Chrome
Step 1. Visit on Google Chrome
If you have the Google Chrome browser, you can use the Google Input Tools extension to type Indian text on websites (eg Facebook, Gmail, and most other websites) via the on-screen keyboard.
You can download the Chrome browser for free from
Step 2. Use the typing area on the page for short assignments or work (optional)
If you're not going to be typing in Indian a lot, you don't need to install a browser extension. Instead, use the page you're accessing to type text, then copy and paste the text into the desired location. Here's how:
- Choose " Hindi ” from the menu in the upper-left corner of the typing area.
- Click the down arrow next to the keyboard icon above the typing area, then select “ INSCRIPT ”.
- Click or touch the letters on the on-screen keyboard to type text in Indian.
- Highlight the typed text and press Ctrl+C to copy it to your computer's clipboard.
- On the app or website where you need to paste text, right-click the typing field and select “ Paste ”.
- Read this method again to find out how to install the Google Input Tools extension for Chrome so you can easily open and use the Indian onscreen keyboard from any site.
Step 3. Scroll down and click Install the Chrome extension
It's in the lower-left corner of the typing field. The extension download page will open after that.
Step 4. Click Add to Chrome
It's a blue button in the top-right corner of the page.
Step 5. Click Add extension
You may be asked to sign in to your Google account before the extension is installed, depending on your browser settings.
Step 6. Click the Google Input Tools icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window and looks like a blue “A” above a gray keyboard. The menu will expand afterwards.
Step 7. Click Extension Options on the menu
A list of languages will be displayed.
Step 8. Move the Indian language to the right pane
Follow these steps to switch languages:
- Scroll left pane and select Indian language keyboard” INSCRIPT ”.
- Click the arrow between the two panes to move the keyboard to the right pane.
Step 9. Visit the desired website to type in the Indian language text
Now you can type in Indian on any site or page, including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, and other sites that accept text input.
Step 10. Click on the Google Input Tools letter “A” icon and select Hindi
The small menu will close and be replaced by a Google Input Tools icon with a small blue keyboard.
Step 11. Click the blue keyboard icon
It's in the upper-right corner of the Chrome window (previously occupied by the letter "A" icon).
Step 12. Select Show Keyboard
A keyboard with Indian characters will appear in the lower right corner of the browser window.
Step 13. Click or touch the button to type in Indian language
The characters you type will be displayed in the typing field.
To return to the computer's primary language, click the “ X ” in the upper right corner of the keyboard.
Method 2 of 2: Adding Indian Language Keyboard to Windows 10
Step 1. Open the Windows settings menu (“Settings”)
This menu is indicated by the gear icon in the lower left corner of the “Start” menu.
- If you want to use a physical Indian keyboard on a Windows computer, this method ensures that the correct characters are displayed on the screen.
- Even if you don't have a physical Indian keyboard, you can still follow this method using the Windows on-screen keyboard.
Step 2. Click Time & Language
This icon looks like a clock and a few different characters/letters.
Step 3. Click Language on the left pane
Step 4. Add Indian (“Hindi”) to the preferred languages list
If you already see Indian languages in the right pane under the " Preferred languages " section, you can move on to the next step. If not, follow these steps:
- Click the button " + Add a language ” above the computer's primary language.
- Search and select the Indian language (“ Hindi ”).
- Click " Next ” at the bottom of the window.
- If you don't want to make Indian your computer's primary language, uncheck the "Install language pack and set as my Windows display language" option at the top of the screen.
- Click " Install ” at the bottom of the window.
Step 5. Click the Indian language pack in the "Preferred languages" section
Several buttons will be displayed in the Indian language column.
Step 6. Click the Options button
Step 7. Click + Add a keyboard
It's under the " Keyboards " heading.
Step 8. Select INSCRIPT Indian language keyboard
If you wish to remove the keyboard, simply select the desired option from the " Keyboards " list and click “ Remove ”.
Step 9. Open the app which you want to use to type Indian text
You can use the Indian language keyboard in any application on Windows.
Step 10. Open the Windows on-screen keyboard
If you have a physical Indian keyboard, skip this step. Otherwise, you can use the computer's built-in onscreen keyboard. Follow these steps to display it:
- Open the Windows search bar by clicking the circle or magnifying glass icon on the left side of the “Start” menu.
- Type on-screen keyboard.
- Click " On-Screen Keyboard ” in the search results. The keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen in the computer's primary language.
Step 11. Click the primary language on the taskbar
If you use English as your primary language, click “ ENG ” on the taskbar, next to the clock. A list of keyboards installed on the computer will be displayed.
Step 12. Click the Indian language keyboard
The input language will be changed to Indian. The on-screen keyboard will also be changed to an Indian language keyboard (if you use the default Windows on-screen keyboard).
Step 13. Type in the text in Indian language
You can click or touch the buttons on the screen to enter Indian characters.
- You can quickly switch from one language to another on a Windows computer by pressing the Alt+⇧ Shift shortcut. Each time you use the shortcut, the input language (shown on the left side of the clock on the taskbar) changes.
- Click the button " X ” in the upper right corner of the screen to close the keyboard.
