Easy to type! Did you know that the iPad's on-screen keyboard can be split?

How do you input characters when using the Pad? You can type comfortably using an external keyboard, but if you want to quickly type characters on the spot, the on-screen keyboard is convenient. An on-screen keyboard that appears at the bottom of the screen when you tap a place where you can enter characters. This article will show you how to use it.

What are the recommended keyboard settings for the iPad? How to move or divide the on-screen keyboard

On-screen keyboard that allows you to enter characters on the screen. If you make it too small, it will be difficult to enter characters, but if you make it too large, it may overlap with the part you want to see, which may be inconvenient. In such a case, it is convenient to split the keyboard or move it.

The on-screen keyboard is a function of iPadOS, so basically it can be used with any model of iPad, but there are some functions that are restricted on some models.

It's not just fixed at the bottom! The iPad's on-screen keyboard can be split and moved

The iPad's on-screen keyboard can be split and displayed, and its position can be moved.

To split, first go to Settings -> General -> Keyboard and make sure "Split Keyboard" is turned on. Then press and hold the keyboard icon at the bottom right of the on-screen keyboard and select "Split" (left image). Then, a keyboard divided into left and right appears (right image). With a split keyboard, the keyboard occupies less screen area, making it easier to hold the iPad with both hands and type with your thumbs.

If you move your finger while touching the keyboard icon, you can move the entire divided keyboard up and down. It's convenient because you can move the keyboard to a position where it's easier to type.

You can also press and hold the keyboard icon and select "Combine" or "Pin and Unsplit" (left image) to return to the original landscape keyboard (right image).

Note that the iPad Pro and Air cannot have a split keyboard

The split keyboard is only available for iPad models with a home button. The current models that have a home button are the iPad and iPad mini. The iPad Pro and iPad Air, which cannot split the on-screen keyboard, are compatible with the convenient external keyboard case "Magic Keyboard", so choose an external keyboard.

I want my iPad keyboard back! How to unsplit

To change the split keyboard back to a landscape keyboard, press and hold the keyboard icon and select "Join" as described above. Also, if you select "Combine and unpin", you can place the landscape keyboard at the bottom of the screen as it was before.

Not only can you split and change the position! Floating iPad keyboard is useful

The iPad's on-screen keyboard also has a mode called floating.

Long press the keyboard icon and select "Floating" (left image). Then, a floating keyboard with a small size appears. The floating keyboard can be moved to any position by dragging the handle at the bottom of the keyboard (right image).

The floating keyboard is the minimum size and can be placed in any position, so it's convenient when you don't want to hide the screen with the keyboard or when you want to move it out of the way. Floating keyboards are available on all iPad models.

I can't get it back!? How to restore the iPad's floating keyboard

If you want to restore the floating keyboard, follow the steps below.

Pinch out the keyboard part with two fingers (left image). Conversely, you can easily change to a floating keyboard by pinching in with your fingers on the landscape keyboard (right image).

What should I do if my iPad's on-screen keyboard does not appear?

If an external keyboard such as Bluetooth is connected to the iPad, the on-screen keyboard will not appear even if you tap a place where characters can be entered. Disconnect your external keyboard. If an external keyboard is not connected, restarting may improve the situation.

More convenient text input! I want to make the iPad's keyboard the same as the iPhone's

The iPad's on-screen keyboard is easier to use if you split it or move it, but the QWERTY layout (*the standard keyboard layout) There are times when it is inconvenient to leave it as it is and enter romaji. So from here, I will explain how to change to flick input in the same way as the iPhone.

The same flick input as iPhone is possible with the iPad keyboard

Actually, flick input is also possible with the iPad keyboard. This is possible by combining the floating keyboard described above with kana input.

Add a keyboard for kana input. Launch the "Settings" app, go to "General" → "Keyboard" → "Add new keyboard" and tap "Japanese" (left image). Next, check "Kana input" and tap "Done" (right image).

Flick input is recommended for Japanese input on the iPad keyboard

Flick input is also possible by floating the on-screen keyboard and selecting kana input.

For example, if you place the floating keyboard in the lower right corner and flick input with the thumb of your right hand holding the iPad, you can input Japanese just like you would on an iPhone. It requires fewer keystrokes than romaji input, and is very comfortable, so I recommend it.

To switch to kana input, press and hold the keyboard switch icon (globe icon) and tap "Japanese Kana".

[Reference] Dramatic change in input efficiency!? How to change the settings of the iPad's software keyboard

JIS array? US layout? Best Keyboard Recommendations for iPad

You may see the terms “JIS layout (Japanese layout)” and “US layout” for external keyboards for iPads and Macs. What are the differences between these? And which one is better for iPad?

Is there a difference between the JIS (Japanese layout) and US keyboard layouts for the iPad?

The JIS layout is a Japanese keyboard layout standardized by JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards). On the other hand, the US layout will be the English layout.

In the case of a physical keyboard, if it is a QWERTY layout, there is no difference between the JIS layout and the US layout of the alphabetic keys. Even people who are accustomed to the JIS layout can use the US layout keyboard without problems as long as they enter romaji.

However, regarding symbols, there are some differences in arrangement. Also, the size of the enter key and the presence or absence of keys for switching input languages ​​such as "half-width/full-width" and "alphanumeric" are different.

When typing Japanese Romaji on an iPad, both keyboards are the same

Therefore, there is no big difference between the JIS layout and the US layout for Romaji input. Once you get used to it, you can use both equally well.

If you are thinking about switching to Japanese, we recommend using the JIS layout for the iPad keyboard

The major difference between the JIS layout and the US layout is the presence or absence of the "kana" and "alphanumeric" keys. . You can use these keys to switch between Japanese and English input modes, so unless you have a special reason, we recommend using a JIS layout keyboard.

Is it possible to input Japanese on an iPad with an external US layout keyboard?

There are no "kana" and "alphanumeric" keys on an external keyboard with a US layout. Therefore, when you want to switch the input mode, let's switch the input mode with Ctrl + space.

If you use an external keyboard, the on-screen keyboard will not be displayed on the screen, but if you are using an external keyboard such as a genuine Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard, you can still use the on-screen keyboard. Therefore, you can switch the input mode even on the iPad screen.

[Reference] Switch keyboard when using external keyboard on iPad (Apple)

As convenient as a laptop! 5 cases with a keyboard that dramatically improve the usability of the iPad

Text input on the iPad can be made easier by splitting and moving without using an external keyboard. You can also use the same flick input as on the iPhone, so if you feel that inputting characters is troublesome, please give it a try.

*Data is based on research by the editorial department as of early June 2021. *Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the content. * Please use and operate the product at your own risk. *Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. in the United States.

Sentence / Cat Reset