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Unicode

With a little help from your OS, practically any Unicode character can be input using your keyboard.

Caveats

There are some limitations to this feature. Because there is no "standard" method of Unicode input across all operating systems, each of them require their own setup process on both the host and in the firmware, which may involve installation of additional software. This also means Unicode input will not "just work" when the keyboard is plugged into another device.

Usage

The core Unicode API can be used purely programmatically. However, there are also additional subsystems which build on top of it and come with keycodes to make things easier. See below for more details.

Add the following to your keymap's rules.mk:

UNICODE_COMMON = yes

Basic Configuration

Add the following to your config.h:

Define	Default	Description
`UNICODE_KEY_MAC`	`KC_LEFT_ALT`	The key to hold when beginning a Unicode sequence with the macOS input mode
`UNICODE_KEY_LNX`	`LCTL(LSFT(KC_U))`	The key to tap when beginning a Unicode sequence with the Linux input mode
`UNICODE_KEY_WINC`	`KC_RIGHT_ALT`	The key to hold when beginning a Unicode sequence with the WinCompose input mode
`UNICODE_SELECTED_MODES`	`-1`	A comma separated list of input modes for cycling through
`UNICODE_CYCLE_PERSIST`	`true`	Whether to persist the current Unicode input mode to EEPROM
`UNICODE_TYPE_DELAY`	`10`	The amount of time to wait, in milliseconds, between Unicode sequence keystrokes

Audio Feedback

If you have the Audio feature enabled on your board, you can configure it to play sounds when the input mode is changed.

Add the following to your config.h:

Define	Default	Description
`UNICODE_SONG_MAC`	n/a	The song to play when the macOS input mode is selected
`UNICODE_SONG_LNX`	n/a	The song to play when the Linux input mode is selected
`UNICODE_SONG_BSD`	n/a	The song to play when the BSD input mode is selected
`UNICODE_SONG_WIN`	n/a	The song to play when the Windows input mode is selected
`UNICODE_SONG_WINC`	n/a	The song to play when the WinCompose input mode is selected

Input Subsystems

Each of these subsystems have their own pros and cons in terms of flexibility and ease of use. Choose the one that best fits your needs.

::::tabs

=== Basic

This is the easiest to use, albeit somewhat limited. It supports code points up to U+7FFF, which covers characters for most modern languages (including East Asian), as well as many symbols, but does not include emoji.

To enable Basic Unicode, add the following to your rules.mk:

UNICODE_ENABLE = yes

You can then add UC(c) keycodes to your keymap, where c is the code point of the desired character (in hexadecimal - the U+ prefix will not work). For example, UC(0x40B) will output Ћ, and UC(0x30C4) will output ツ.

=== Unicode Map

Unicode Map supports all possible code points (up to U+10FFFF). Here, the code points are stored in a separate mapping table (which may contain at most 16,384 entries), instead of directly in the keymap.

To enable Unicode Map, add the following to your rules.mk:

UNICODEMAP_ENABLE = yes

Then, you will need to create a mapping table in your keymap.c, and (optionally) an enum for naming the array indices, like so:

enum unicode_names {
    BANG,
    IRONY,
    SNEK
};

const uint32_t PROGMEM unicode_map[] = {
    [BANG]  = 0x203D,  // ‽
    [IRONY] = 0x2E2E,  // ⸮
    [SNEK]  = 0x1F40D, // 🐍
};

Finally, add UM(i) keycodes to your keymap, where i is an index into the unicode_map[] array. If you defined the enum above, you can use those names instead, for example UM(BANG) or UM(SNEK).

Lower and Upper Case Pairs

Some writing systems have lowercase and uppercase variants of each character, such as å and Å. To make inputting these characters easier, you can use the UP(i, j) keycode in your keymap, where i and j are the mapping table indices of the lowercase and uppercase characters, respectively. If you're holding down Shift or have Caps Lock turned on when you press the key, the uppercase character will be inserted; otherwise, the lowercase character will be inserted.

const uint32_t PROGMEM unicode_map[] = {
    [AE_LOWER] = 0x00E6,  // æ
    [AE_UPPER] = 0x00C6,  // Æ
};

This is most useful when creating a keymap for an international layout with special characters. Instead of having to put the lower and upper case versions of a character on separate keys, you can have them both on the same key. This helps blend Unicode keys in with regular keycodes.

Due to keycode size constraints, i and j can each only refer to one of the first 128 characters in your unicode_map. In other words, 0 ≤ i ≤ 127 and 0 ≤ j ≤ 127.

=== UCIS

As with Unicode Map, the UCIS method also supports all possible code points, and requires the use of a mapping table. However, it works much differently - Unicode characters are input by replacing a typed mnemonic.

To enable UCIS, add the following to your keymap's rules.mk:

UCIS_ENABLE = yes

Then, create a mapping table in your keymap.c:

const ucis_symbol_t ucis_symbol_table[] = UCIS_TABLE(
    UCIS_SYM("poop", 0x1F4A9),                // 💩
    UCIS_SYM("rofl", 0x1F923),                // 🤣
    UCIS_SYM("ukr", 0x1F1FA, 0x1F1E6),        // 🇺🇦
    UCIS_SYM("look", 0x0CA0, 0x005F, 0x0CA0)  // ಠ_ಠ
);

By default, each table entry may be up to three code points long. This can be changed by adding #define UCIS_MAX_CODE_POINTS n to your keymap's config.h.

To invoke UCIS input, the ucis_start() function must first be called (for example, in a custom "Unicode" keycode). Then, type the mnemonic for the mapping table entry (such as "rofl"), and hit Space or Enter. The "rofl" text will be backspaced and the emoji inserted.

::::

Input Modes

Unicode input works by typing a sequence of characters, similar to a macro. However, since this sequence depends on your OS, you will need to prepare both your host machine and QMK to recognise and send the correct Unicode input sequences respectively.

To set the list of enabled input modes, add the UNICODE_SELECTED_MODES define to your keymap's config.h, for example:

#define UNICODE_SELECTED_MODES UNICODE_MODE_LINUX
// or
#define UNICODE_SELECTED_MODES UNICODE_MODE_MACOS, UNICODE_MODE_WINCOMPOSE

These modes can then be cycled through using the UC_NEXT and UC_PREV keycodes. You can also switch to any input mode, even if it is not specified in UNICODE_SELECTED_MODES, using their respective keycodes.

If your keyboard has working EEPROM, it will remember the last used input mode and continue using it on the next power up. This can be disabled by defining UNICODE_CYCLE_PERSIST to false.

:::::tabs

==== macOS

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_MACOS

macOS has built-in support for Unicode input as its own input source. It supports all possible code points by way of surrogate pairs for code points above U+FFFF.

To enable, go to System Preferences → Keyboard → Input Sources, then add Unicode Hex Input to the list (under Other), and activate it from the input dropdown in the menu bar. Note that this may disable some Option-based shortcuts such as Option+Left and Option+Right.

==== Linux (IBus)

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_LINUX

For Linux distros with IBus, Unicode input is enabled by default, supports all possible code points, and works almost anywhere. Without IBus, it works under GTK apps, but rarely anywhere else.

Users who would like support in non-GTK apps without IBus may need to resort to a more indirect method, such as creating a custom keyboard layout.

==== Windows (WinCompose)

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_WINCOMPOSE

This mode requires a third-party tool called WinCompose. It supports all possible code points, and is the recommended input mode for Windows.

To enable, install the latest release from GitHub. Once installed, it will automatically run on startup. This works reliably under all versions of Windows supported by WinCompose.

==== Windows (HexNumpad)

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_WINDOWS

::: warning This input mode is not the "Alt code" system. Alt codes are not Unicode; they instead follow the Windows-1252 character set. :::

This is Windows' built-in hex numpad Unicode input mode. It only supports code points up to U+FFFF, and is not recommended due to reliability and compatibility issues.

To enable, run the following as an administrator, then reboot:

reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Input Method" -v EnableHexNumpad -t REG_SZ -d 1

==== Emacs

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_EMACS

Emacs supports code point input with the insert-char command.

==== BSD

Mode Name: UNICODE_MODE_BSD

Not currently implemented. If you're a BSD user and want to contribute support for this input mode, please feel free!

:::::

Keycodes

Key	Aliases	Description
`UC(c)`		Send Unicode code point `c`, up to `0x7FFF`
`UM(i)`		Send Unicode code point at index `i` in `unicode_map`
`UP(i, j)`		Send Unicode code point at index `i`, or `j` if Shift/Caps is on
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_NEXT`	`UC_NEXT`	Cycle through selected input modes
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_PREVIOUS`	`UC_PREV`	Cycle through selected input modes in reverse
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_MACOS`	`UC_MAC`	Switch to macOS input
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_LINUX`	`UC_LINX`	Switch to Linux input
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_WINDOWS`	`UC_WIN`	Switch to Windows input
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_BSD`	`UC_BSD`	Switch to BSD input (not implemented)
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_WINCOMPOSE`	`UC_WINC`	Switch to Windows input using WinCompose
`QK_UNICODE_MODE_EMACS`	`UC_EMAC`	Switch to emacs (`C-x-8 RET`)

API

`uint8_t get_unicode_input_mode(void)`

Get the current Unicode input mode.

Return Value

The currently active Unicode input mode.

`void set_unicode_input_mode(uint8_t mode)`

Set the Unicode input mode.

Arguments

uint8_t mode
The input mode to set.

`void unicode_input_mode_step(void)`

Change to the next Unicode input mode.

`void unicode_input_mode_step_reverse(void)`

Change to the previous Unicode input mode.

`void unicode_input_mode_set_user(uint8_t input_mode)`

User-level callback, invoked when the input mode is changed.

Arguments

uint8_t input_mode
The new input mode.

`void unicode_input_mode_set_kb(uint8_t input_mode)`

Keyboard-level callback, invoked when the input mode is changed.

Arguments

uint8_t input_mode
The new input mode.

`void unicode_input_start(void)`

Begin the Unicode input sequence. The exact behavior depends on the currently selected input mode:

macOS: Hold UNICODE_KEY_MAC
Linux: Tap UNICODE_KEY_LNX
WinCompose: Tap UNICODE_KEY_WINC, then U
HexNumpad: Hold Left Alt, then tap Numpad +
Emacs: Tap Ctrl+X, then 8, then Enter

This function is weakly defined, and can be overridden in user code.

`void unicode_input_finish(void)`

Complete the Unicode input sequence. The exact behavior depends on the currently selected input mode:

macOS: Release UNICODE_KEY_MAC
Linux: Tap Space
WinCompose: Tap Enter
HexNumpad: Release Left Alt
Emacs: Tap Enter

This function is weakly defined, and can be overridden in user code.

`void unicode_input_cancel(void)`

Cancel the Unicode input sequence. The exact behavior depends on the currently selected input mode:

macOS: Release UNICODE_KEY_MAC
Linux: Tap Escape
WinCompose: Tap Escape
HexNumpad: Release Left Alt
Emacs: Tap Ctrl+G

This function is weakly defined, and can be overridden in user code.

`void register_unicode(uint32_t code_point)`

Input a single Unicode character. A surrogate pair will be sent if required by the input mode.

Arguments

uint32_t code_point
The code point of the character to send.

`void send_unicode_string(const char *str)`

Send a string containing Unicode characters.

Arguments

const char *str
The string to send.

`uint8_t unicodemap_index(uint16_t keycode)`

Get the index into the unicode_map array for the given keycode, respecting shift state for pair keycodes.

Arguments

uint16_t keycode
The Unicode Map keycode to get the index of.

Return Value

An index into the unicode_map array.

`uint32_t unicodemap_get_code_point(uint8_t index)`

Get the code point for the given index in the unicode_map array.

Arguments

uint8_t index
The index into the unicode_map array.

Return Value

A Unicode code point value.

`void register_unicodemap(uint8_t index)`

Send the code point for the given index in the unicode_map array.

Arguments

uint8_t index
The index into the unicode_map array.

`void ucis_start(void)`

Begin the input sequence.

`bool ucis_active(void)`

Whether UCIS is currently active.

Return Value

true if UCIS is active.

`uint8_t ucis_count(void)`

Get the number of characters in the input sequence buffer.

Return Value

The current input sequence buffer length.

`bool ucis_add(uint16_t keycode)`

Add the given keycode to the input sequence buffer.

Arguments

uint16_t keycode
The keycode to add. Must be between KC_A and KC_Z, or KC_1 and KC_0.

Return Value

true if the keycode was added.

`bool ucis_remove_last(void)`

Remove the last character from the input sequence buffer.

Return Value

true if the sequence was not empty.

`void ucis_finish(void)`

Mark the input sequence as complete, and attempt to match.

`void ucis_cancel(void)`

Cancel the input sequence.

`void register_ucis(void)`

Send the code point(s) for the given UCIS index.

Arguments

uint8_t index
The index into the UCIS symbol table.

16 KiB Raw Blame History

Unicode

Caveats

Usage

Basic Configuration

Audio Feedback

Input Subsystems

Lower and Upper Case Pairs

Input Modes

Keycodes

API

uint8_t get_unicode_input_mode(void)

Return Value

void set_unicode_input_mode(uint8_t mode)

Arguments

void unicode_input_mode_step(void)

void unicode_input_mode_step_reverse(void)

void unicode_input_mode_set_user(uint8_t input_mode)

Arguments

void unicode_input_mode_set_kb(uint8_t input_mode)

Arguments

void unicode_input_start(void)

void unicode_input_finish(void)

void unicode_input_cancel(void)

void register_unicode(uint32_t code_point)

Arguments

void send_unicode_string(const char *str)

Arguments

uint8_t unicodemap_index(uint16_t keycode)

Arguments

Return Value

uint32_t unicodemap_get_code_point(uint8_t index)

Arguments

Return Value

void register_unicodemap(uint8_t index)

Arguments

void ucis_start(void)

bool ucis_active(void)

Return Value

uint8_t ucis_count(void)

Return Value

bool ucis_add(uint16_t keycode)

Arguments

Return Value

bool ucis_remove_last(void)

Return Value

void ucis_finish(void)

void ucis_cancel(void)

void register_ucis(void)

Arguments

16 KiB

Raw Blame History

`uint8_t get_unicode_input_mode(void)`

`void set_unicode_input_mode(uint8_t mode)`

`void unicode_input_mode_step(void)`

`void unicode_input_mode_step_reverse(void)`

`void unicode_input_mode_set_user(uint8_t input_mode)`

`void unicode_input_mode_set_kb(uint8_t input_mode)`

`void unicode_input_start(void)`

`void unicode_input_finish(void)`

`void unicode_input_cancel(void)`

`void register_unicode(uint32_t code_point)`

`void send_unicode_string(const char *str)`

`uint8_t unicodemap_index(uint16_t keycode)`

`uint32_t unicodemap_get_code_point(uint8_t index)`

`void register_unicodemap(uint8_t index)`

`void ucis_start(void)`

`bool ucis_active(void)`

`uint8_t ucis_count(void)`

`bool ucis_add(uint16_t keycode)`

`bool ucis_remove_last(void)`

`void ucis_finish(void)`

`void ucis_cancel(void)`

`void register_ucis(void)`