HOW TO: Use the Language Bar in Windows XP (306993)

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the Language bar in Windows XP. The Language bar is a floating toolbar that appears on your desktop automatically when you add handwriting recognition, speech recognition, or an Input Method Editor (IME) as a method of inserting text.

You can use the Language bar to switch easily between tasks and perform tasks related to entering text. For example, if you are entering text with a handwriting input device, use the buttons on the Language bar to open the Writing Pad window, from which you can insert handwritten text into your document.

The buttons and options that are displayed on the Language bar depend on the text services you have installed, and on the program that is currently active. For example, Microsoft Word 2002 supports speech recognition, but Notepad does not. If both programs are running, the speech buttons are displayed when Word is active, but disappear when you make Notepad the active program. If you add a second language or keyboard layout, you can display the Language bar from the taskbar.

You can move the Language bar anywhere on your screen, minimize it to the taskbar, or make it nearly transparent. If you do not use it, you can close it. You should remove text services that you do not use becuase they require computer memory and can affect performance.

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To Show the Language Bar

To show the Language bar (using Classic view in Control Panel):

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Regional and Language Options.
2. On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
3. Under Preferences, click Language Bar.
4. Select the Show the Language bar on the desktop check box.

Notes:

• The Language bar is displayed automatically if you install a text service such as handwriting, speech, or an Input Method Editor (IME). However, if you close the Language bar, you can use this procedure to redisplay it.
• If you minimized the Language bar to the taskbar, click the Language icon on the taskbar, and then click Show the Language bar.
• After the Language bar is displayed, you can right-click it to display a shortcut menu. Use this menu to change settings for the Language bar, such as docking it on the taskbar or adding text labels.

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To Hide the Language Bar

To hide the Language bar, right-click the Language bar, and then use any of the following methods:

• Click Minimize to reduce the Language bar to an icon on the taskbar. This option removes the Language bar from your desktop but keeps it active and available.
• Click Close the Language bar to turn off the Language bar and remove it from your desktop.

Notes:

• To perform Language bar functions without having the Language bar on your desktop, right-click the Language bar, and then click Additional icons in taskbar. You can then minimize the Language bar and click the text service icons on the taskbar to perform actions.
• Closing the Language bar does not remove any text services. If you are not using a service, such as handwriting or speech recognition, you should remove it. Text services require computer memory and might affect performance.
• You can also minimize the Language bar by clicking Minimize on the Language bar.
• You cannot close the Language bar if you have installed an Input Method Editor (IME).

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To Turn Text Services On or Off

To turn text services on or off (using Classic view in Control Panel):

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Regional and Language Options.
2. On the Languages tab, under Text services and input languages, click Details.
3. Under Preferences, click Language Bar.
4. To turn text services off, select the Turn off advanced text services check box.
5. To turn text services on, clear the check box.
6. Click Yes if you are prompted to confirm your selection.

Notes:

• Use this procedure to turn off handwriting recognition, speech recognition, and some accessibility features temporarily. These services can affect performance, and if you are not using them with your current program, you can turn them off temporarily.
• If you are not using a text service at all, you should remove it.
• Turning off text services does not affect multiple languages or keyboards that you have added under Installed services in the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box.

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