Keyboards are integral parts of a computer and they come with many varied layouts. Generally, in a keyboard, a keypad with letters, numbers and alphanumeric characters exists. Apart from that, function keys and a cursor keypad also feature on a keyboard. The QWERTY keyboard and the AZERTY keyboard are widely used. The former is used more in the USA, and derives its name from the five consecutive letters that feature on the left corner of the keypad. The latter one has letters placed in consecutive order on the keypad. On this type of keyboard, with the language option on the computer, the user can change the keyboard language.

QWERTY / AZERTY Keyboards

Today's keyboards have different layouts. The most common one includes a keypad displaying letters, numbers and alphanumeric characters as well as function keys and sometimes a cursor keypad.

What is a QWERTY keyboard?

QWERTY keyboards are also known as Sholes keyboards and refer to the five consecutive letters on the upper left corner of the keypad. This type of keyboard bears the layout used for Latin languages and is the most common keyboard used in the United States.

What is an AZERTY keyboard?

An AZERTY keyboard is the most common type of keyboard used in France. The letters are also found in a consecutive sequence on the upper left corner of the keypad.

How to change your keyboard language

If you have a reversed keyboard, you can make use of the language option on your computer to change this option.

Step 1: Go to the Start button and open "Control Panel"
Step 2: Choose the option "Clock, Language and Region"
Step 3: Select "Regional and Language Options" and in the "Installed Services" section, click "Add"
Step 4: If your keyboard is set to "French" (AZERTY) change it to "English US/UK" and if your keyboard is set to an English language (QWERTY), change the language to "French" (AZERTY).
Step 5: In the "Keyboard" section, choose "QWERTY" or "AZERTY" and apply the changes by clicking "OK" This document entitled « QWERTY / AZERTY Keyboards » from Kioskea.net (en.kioskea.net) is made available under the Creative Commons license. You can copy, modify copies of this page, under the conditions stipulated by the licence, as this note appears clearly.