Understanding text services

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Understanding text services

Text services enable you to enter and edit text in a document. Keyboards are the most common text service, but speech dictation and digitized handwriting are becoming more popular as advances are made in speech and handwriting recognition.

You can install and add the text services you need. The options include:

  • Keyboard layouts. Keyboards are generally language-specific, and some languages provide multiple keyboard layout options. For example, in the United States, you can enter text with the standard keyboard, the Dvorak keyboard, or an International English keyboard.
  • Input Method Editors (IMEs). IMEs enable you to enter traditional East Asian language characters with a keyboard.
  • Speech recognition. You can enter text and, in some programs, issue commands by speaking into a microphone connected to your computer.
  • Handwriting recognition. You can use a handwriting input device or your mouse to enter text by writing it. The computer converts your handwritten words to typed text.

Windows sets a default language and keyboard layout for you when you install Windows, but you can enable other text services in Text Services in Control Panel.

Add only those text services you intend to use. Each text service requires computer memory and can affect performance.

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