How to configure a Chromebook for Spanish and English

If you’re bilingual or learning Spanish, setting up your Chromebook to support both Spanish and English is a smart move. You’ll be able to type with accents, switch keyboard layouts, and use the device more naturally in both languages.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your Chromebook bilingual-ready.

1. Add Spanish as a Language

To begin, you’ll need to add Spanish to your Chromebook’s list of languages:

1. Click the clock in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
2. Tap the gear icon to open Settings.
3. Scroll down and click Advanced to expand more options.
4. Under Languages and inputs, select Languages.
5. Click Add languages, search for “Spanish,” and choose the version you prefer (e.g., Spain, Mexico, U.S.).
6. Hit Add.

You’ll now see Spanish in your list of languages.

2. Set Up Keyboard Input for Spanish

Adding the language doesn’t automatically give you the Spanish keyboard—this step sets that up:

1. Still in Languages, click Input methods.
2. Click Add input methods.
3. Choose a Spanish keyboard layout (e.g., “Spanish – Latin American” or “Spanish – Spain”).
4. Click Add.

Now you have both English and Spanish keyboards available.

3. Toggle Between Keyboards

Chromebooks make switching keyboards easy:

• Press Ctrl + Space to toggle between your keyboard layouts.
• Or, click the input icon (usually “US” or the language abbreviation) in the bottom-right tray to switch manually.

Tip: You can enable a keyboard shortcut viewer or on-screen keyboard if you’re still getting used to the layout.

4. Enable Spell Check for Both Languages

To write cleanly in both languages, turn on spell check for Spanish and English:

1. Go back to Settings > Advanced > Languages and inputs.
2. Select Spell check.
3. Toggle both English and Spanish to ON.

Chromebook will now check spelling in whichever language you’re typing in.

5. Bonus: Use Voice Typing in Both Languages

If you use voice typing in Google Docs or voice input anywhere else:

1. Click the time > Settings.
2. Go to Accessibility > Manage accessibility features.
3. Turn on Enable dictation (speak to type).
4. When using voice typing, switch the input language from the language menu before you speak.

Final Tips

• Practice switching between layouts so it becomes second nature.
• Use shortcuts like Alt + Shift (if enabled) or Ctrl + Space to quickly toggle input methods.
• Remember: Each user profile on a Chromebook can have its own language settings, so set it up for every account you use.

By setting up your Chromebook for both Spanish and English, you’ll write faster, avoid mistakes, and make your device work the way you think.

Need help choosing the right Spanish keyboard layout or fixing a specific input issue? Drop a comment below!