Typing the Euro Symbol on Ubuntu: A Quick Guide

The Euro symbol (€) is essential for anyone working with European currencies or text in European languages. While it might not be immediately obvious how to type this symbol on an Ubuntu system, there are straightforward methods available. This guide will walk you through two primary techniques to effortlessly input the Euro symbol on your Ubuntu machine.

Method 1: Utilizing the Compose Key

The Compose Key method provides a versatile way to type a variety of special characters, including the Euro symbol. It involves pressing a designated “Compose” key followed by a sequence of other keys that represent the desired symbol.

Setting up the Compose Key (Ubuntu 13.10 and later):

1. Navigate to your system settings. You can usually find this by clicking the settings icon in the system menu.
2. Open the “Keyboard” settings. Look for options like “Keyboard” or “Text Entry” within the system settings menu.
3. Select the “Typing” tab or section. This section manages keyboard-related settings.
4. Locate “Compose Key”. Click on the “Compose Key” option, which is likely set to “disabled” by default.
5. Choose your Compose Key. From the dropdown menu, select your preferred key to act as the Compose Key. “Right-Alt” is a popular and convenient choice for many users.

Setting up the Compose Key (Earlier Ubuntu Versions):

1. Access “Keyboard Layout”. Go to “System Settings” and then “Keyboard Layout”.
2. Open “Options”. Click on the “Options” button within the Keyboard Layout settings.
3. Expand “Compose Key Position”. Find and click on “Compose Key Position” to reveal the list of available keys.
4. Select your Compose Key. Choose your desired key from the list to function as the Compose Key.

Once you have set up the Compose Key, typing the Euro symbol is simple:

Press and release your chosen Compose Key, then press c followed by =. Alternatively, you can press Compose Key, then e followed by =. The order of c or e and = does not matter; both sequences will produce the € symbol.

Alt text: Screenshot of the Ubuntu Keyboard Typing settings window, highlighting the “Compose Key” option set to “Right Alt”. This illustrates where users can configure the Compose Key for typing special characters like the Euro symbol.

Method 2: Employing the Alternative Characters Key

The Alternative Characters Key method offers another approach to typing special characters, including the Euro symbol, using a two-key sequence. This method might require a bit more initial setup but can be efficient once configured.

Setting up the Alternative Characters Key:

1. Configure “Alternative Characters Key”. In the same “Shortcuts >> Typing” section mentioned earlier (or “Typing” tab in Keyboard settings), find “Alternative Characters Key”. Choose a key from the dropdown list. Ensure you select a different key than the one you chose for the Compose Key if you are using both methods.

2. Install dconf-editor. Open a terminal window and type the command: sudo apt-get install dconf-editor and press Enter. Enter your password if prompted and press Enter again to install the dconf-editor tool.

3. Launch dconf-editor. Type dconf-editor in the terminal or search for it in your applications menu and run it.

4. Navigate to input-sources settings. In dconf-editor, go to the path: org >> gnome >> desktop >> input-sources.

5. Modify xkb-options. Locate the xkb-options setting. Double-click on it to edit.

6. Add Euro symbol option. In the “Custom value” field, add one of the following strings, enclosed in single quotes: 'eurosign:e', 'eurosign:2', 'eurosign:4', or 'eurosign:5'. These options assign the Euro symbol to different keys when used with the Alternative Characters Key.

   • If there are existing options already listed, separate the new string with a comma. For example, if you have set a compose key to Right-Alt and want to use the menu key as the alternative character key with the Euro symbol on the ‘4’ key, your setting might look like: ['eurosign:4','lv3:menu_switch','compose:ralt']

7. Apply changes. Press Enter to save the changes in dconf-editor.

Now, to type the Euro symbol:

Press and hold your chosen Alternative Characters Key and then press the number key corresponding to your chosen eurosign option (e.g., 4 if you used 'eurosign:4'). This key combination will produce the € symbol.

Conclusion

Typing the Euro symbol on Ubuntu is readily achievable using either the Compose Key or the Alternative Characters Key methods. The Compose Key offers a broader range of special character inputs, while the Alternative Characters Key provides a more direct two-key sequence for specific symbols. Experiment with both methods to determine which best suits your workflow and allows you to efficiently type the Euro symbol whenever you need it.