How to add and switch keyboard layout on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Objective

The objective is to show how to add a new language keyboard layout on Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver Linux

Operating System and Software Versions

• Operating System: - Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver
• Software: - GNOME Shell 3.26.2 or higher

Requirements

There are no special requirements.

Conventions

• # - requires given linux commands to be executed with root privileges either directly as a root user or by use of sudo command
• $ - requires given linux commands to be executed as a regular non-privileged user

Other Versions of this Tutorial

Ubuntu 20.04 (Focal Fossa)

Instructions

Use Activities menu to locate Region & Language icon and open it:



Hit the + sign and locate your language. Click "other" if your language is not a part of the selected few. Alternatively use search:

Once you hit Add button your language will appear as part of Input Sources. Change the order by using UP and DOWN arrows. The top item will be set as default keyboard layout:



Keyboard selection icon should now be also visible on the top-right part of the Gnome panel. Use mouse to switch between your keyboard layouts. Alternatively, press CTRL+WIN+SPACE keyboard shortcut for a quick keyboard layout switch.