How to Enable the Onscreen Keyboard on a Mac

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Typing with an onscreen keyboard can come in handy at times, whether you have a physical disability or perhaps just a broken keyboard. Using an onscreen or virtual keyboard allows you to select all the regular keyboard options with a mouse cursor or other input device. This article will help you activate the onscreen keyboard on a Mac.

Steps

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    To do this, click the System Preferences icon in your Dock or Applications folder.
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    • If you're using an older version of the Mac software (Mountain Lion and earlier), it won't be called "Keyboard". Click on "Language & Text," instead.
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    If you already have an appropriate keyboard option in the list (e.g. U.S. or British), then proceed to the next step. If you don't, click + and scroll through the list to select the language you want. Then click Add .
    • Even keyboards from the same language but different regions can have different layouts, so make sure you're using the one you're familiar with.
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    It may be selected automatically or already, but if it isn't, check it.
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    It may look like a keyboard/symbol icon or it may show the flag of the language you've selected. Click on it and select Show Keyboard Viewer to view the onscreen keyboard.
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    You can type with the virtual keyboard in any location on your screen: just click within the desired text box/area and then click on the virtual keyboard, one key at a time, to type.
    • You can also move the virtual keyboard around as necessary to keep it out of the way. It will float on top of your other windows.
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  • Question
    I am unable to type the password for enabling the desktop screen on my Mac Pro as water seems to have seeped into the keyboard. Can I somehow access the virtual keyboard?
    Puffy2303
    Community Answer
    Unfortunately, there is no way to do this. The only way that I could think of was attaching a USB keyboard and then typing in the password, but that kind of defeats the purpose.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips

      • You can close, minimize, or resize the onscreen keyboard like any other window.
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      • To reopen the onscreen keyboard after you close it, return to the Input icon on the menu bar and select Show Keyboard Viewer again.
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      • To select multiple keys at a time, turn on Sticky Keys, which will keep the modifier keys (such as ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Cmd ) selected after you click them, until you manually deselect them.
        • To turn Sticky Keys on, open System Preferences. Click on Accessibility , select Keyboard , and check the box to Enable Sticky Keys .
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