Create TeX/Math/APL Keyboard Layout

By Xah Lee. Date: 2011-03-04. Last updated: 2022-11-01.

This page shows you how to create a keyboard layout for inputting Math Symbols ∑ ∫ π² ∞ , Emoji 😄, or APL Symbols, for {Windows, Mac OS X, Linux}.

For example, you can create APL (programming language) keyboard layout, or for LaTeX/XeTeX, or simply as a system to type math symbols in plain text.

APL Keyboard Layout

APL keyboard layout dGHkf — APL keyboard layout. [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:APL-keybd.svg]

Unicode Characters

You'll need to copy paste Unicode characters when configuring your keyboard. Here's references.

Unicode Font

You'll need font to display math symbols.

Create Your Own Math Layout

For Mac OS X, see: macOS: Create Custom Keyboard Layout
[Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator 2017-03-12 By Microsoft. Search the web. The links changes often. ]

Using Emacs

If you are using emacs, you don't need to setup a keyboard layout. There are many ways to setup emacs to insert any unicode character set.

Insert Unicode by key sequence. Emacs: Set Key to Insert Math Symbols, Emoji
Insert Unicode by abbrev. Emacs: Abbrev Mode by Lisp Code
Insert Unicode by abbrev and a conversion key. Emacs: Xah Math Input Mode (xah-math-input.el)

APL Keyboards