Enabling compose key to type unicode on Linux

Feb 20

TomLinux General Comments Off

The compose key may be used to type unicode characters easily on Linux systems…

All of these commands should be executed as a normal user, no root access required:

  1. Identify the key you want to use as your compose key, I use the ‘Windows’ key:
    • Run the application xev
    • Press the key you want to use as your compose key
    • Note down the keycode value (my Windows key identifies as keycode=133)
  2. Edit the file ~/.Xmodmap and insert the line
    keycode 133 = Multi_key
  3. Run xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap

Restart X and you will be able to use unicode:
<Compose key> + " + u = ü
<Compose key> + ' + e = é
<Compose key> + o + r = ®
<Compose key> + - + y = ¥
and many more…

(Tested and in current use on Debian Wheezy)

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