The Dzongkha keyboard layout is a simple way of inputting Dzongkha or Tibetan script Unicode text. The layout was jointly specified by the Dzongkha Development Commission (DDC) and the Department of Information Technology (DIT) in Bhutan. Keyboard definitions supporting this layout are available for Windows, Linux and Macintosh computers.

PDF file with diagram of Dzongkha Keyboard Layout

Dzongkha Keyboard for Windows

Windows XP:

  • Download and extract the files in the zip archive to a temporary folder making sure "Use folder names" is selected.
  • In Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder where you extracted the files.
  • Double click on the installer file kbd_Dz.msi to install.

Once installed, the keyboard must be assigned to one of the languages supported by Windows XP.

  • Go to the Control Panel from the Start Menu
  • Choose "Regional and Language Options"
  • Choose the Languages Tab
  • Click on the "Details" button under Text Services & Input Languages
  • Under the Settings Tab click the "Add" button
  • Under "Input Language" choose an unused language (e.g. "Icelandic" or "Konkani")
  • Then under Keyboard Layout/IME choose "Dzongkha" and click OK.

The Dzongkha input method (keyboard) is now assigned to that language and it will appear as "Icelandic" or "Konkani" (or whichever language you selected) in your taskbar. If the language bar does not appear, go to the Control Panel and choose Regional and Language Options. Under the Languages Tab, click the "Details" button within Text Services & Input Languages. Under the Settings tab, click on the "Language Bar" button and then click the box next to "Show the Language Bar on the desktop".

Note: This Dzongkha keyboard was created with, and may be modified, using Microsoft's Keyboard Layout Creator (MSKLC) - the MSKLC source file (kbd_Dz.klc) is contained in the zip archive.

Dzongkha Keyboard layout for Mac OSX