Linux keyboard text symbols: Third and fourth level choosers

Remember, how Shift key works? Press down the key and start typing. If you were going to type something like:

akl;',./

With Shift held pressed, you'll type:

AKL:@~<>?

Which is a whole different set of symbols. But, because we see them on our keyboards, we don't think about that a lot. =) Well, I'll give you some information on how Linux systems interpret the Shift key.

With 3-d and 4-th level keys held, it might be even:

æĸł´^µ ·
Æ&Ł˝ˇ×÷˙

What Chooser keys are

Shift is called the second level input modifier key. Just like that, on Linux there are 3-d and 4-th level input chooser keys. You can hold them pressed to shift to typing of other text symbols, not present on your usual keyboard layout.

By default, third level chooser key is not defined, or is Alt Gr (right Alt key) in some rare installations. Fourth level is always the combination 3-d level chooser key and Shift key both held pressed.

Level Modifier Keys produced
1 None Lowercase letters, numbers, etc.
2 Shift Uppercase letters, symbols printed on keyboard, etc.
3 Define it Extra symbols not printed on the keyboard, some dead keys.
4 Third level chooser + Shift Even more symbols, more dead keys.

Dead keys are keys that aren't symbols themselves, but apply an accent (like umlaut) to the next letter you type.

Select the third level chooser key

You can define the third level chooser key in Keyboard layout options.

On GNOME

Keyboard layout: Compose and chooser keys on GNOME

I'm not so sure, but I think it goes this way:

  1. Get into System ➣ Preferences ➣ Keyboard ➣ Layouts.
  2. Open Layout Options.
  3. Expand Third level choosers menu. Here you can choose the preferred button.

On KDE/Plasma

Keyboard layout: Compose and chooser keys on KDE Plasma
KDE Plasma
  1. As in the image above: go to System Settings.
  2. Hardware section.
  3. Input Devices.
  4. Keyboard.
  5. On top select Advanced.
  6. Enable Configure keyboard options
  7. Select a desired Position of Compose key.
Older
Pick your chooser key in Keyboard layout options
  1. Start the System Settings or the KDE Control Center.
    • If in System Settings ➣ Regional & Language.
    • If in KDE Control Center ➣ Keyboard Layout.
  3. Choose your keyboard layout.
  4. In Xkb Options choose preferred third level chooser.

Keyboard layout view

As you can see only 1-st and 2-nd level symbols on your real keyboard keys - you should choose Layout View from the applet popup menu to see a diagram of your current keyboard layout.

In the Layout View window, press a key on your keyboard to highlight its representation.

If you have successfully defined the third level chooser - in the program you should see 4 characters on your keyboard keys.

  1. Bottom left for 1-st level.
  2. Top left - 2-nd.
  3. Bottom right - 3-d.
  4. Top right - 4-th.

Reference

  1. Third and fourth level choosers on help.Ubuntu.com.


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