Google Japanese Input

February 5, 2013 10:56 PM

I have just started using Google Japanese Input on Windows 7. It works fine, but I would like to be able to switch input modes (i.e. between direct input, hiragana, katakana etc) using a shortcut key. Currently I have to click on the language bar to switch, which is a pain. I looked in the properties and can't see an option for shortcuts. I tried googling but can't seem to find an answer either.

Note that I don't need to switch "input langauge" as windows calls it: that would be switching between Google Japanese Input and Microsoft IME. It's switching between google's different input modes that is the problem. Any help is greatly appreciated.

posted by theyexpectresults to computers & internet (4 answers total)

I had never heard of this so I downloaded it and installed it. The keyboard shortcuts are the same as the ms ime I believe.

alt-shift to switch between the active language.

When in Japanese mode:
ctrl-caps lock to go to hiragana
alt-caps lock to go to katakana.
ctrl or alt and ` to toggle to and from romaji for whatever the current input mode is.
posted by GooseOnTheLoose at 3:57 AM on February 6 [1 favorite]

Thanks a lot. I forgot to mention that I have a japanese (physical) keyboard and maybe that was confusing me a bit, since I'd forgotten that I had to hold shift to get caps lock. I think I've got it now.
posted by theyexpectresults at 4:11 AM on February 6

And the backtick mark ` is kind of a pain to reach on this keyboard. I guess I'll just remap it.
posted by theyexpectresults at 4:14 AM on February 6

For romaji, try using alt and the katakana/hiragana/romaji key to the right of the space bar.

I haven't use the program, but it looks like you can customize it.
posted by derforsher at 11:42 AM on February 6