To facilitate typing, the developers of IndoWord created proprietary keyboard layouts. The maps the unique phonetic and structural characteristics of the Tamil alphabet onto the standard QWERTY keyboard. How the IndoWord Tamil Layout Works
: Users can switch between Tamil and English modes using the Num Lock or Scroll Lock keys.
If you are looking to type in Tamil on modern devices, it is recommended to use standardized layouts rather than tracking down legacy IndoWord software. On Windows: Go to > Time & Language > Language & Region . Click Add a language and select Tamil . indoword tamil keyboard layout
The answer depends on your goal:
Developed primarily for the Tamil Nadu government’s IT initiatives and commercial data entry firms, Indoword (sometimes referred to as "Indoword Tamil Input Method") places vowels ( உயிர் எழுத்துகள் ) and consonants ( மெய் எழுத்துகள் ) in logical clusters. The layout is famous for its ability to handle like க் + க = க்க with single keystroke combinations, drastically improving typing speed. To facilitate typing, the developers of IndoWord created
: A standardized layout by the Department of Electronics, designed to be identical across all Indian languages. The Evolution and Compatibility
Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Add a language → Tamil. Then under “Tamil,” add keyboard → “Tamil InScript.” If you are looking to type in Tamil
Writing modern Tamil often requires the use of Grantha characters (such as ஜ, ஷ, ஸ, ஹ, and க்ஷ) to borrow words from Sanskrit or English. IndoWord maps these characters logically—often utilizing the Shift modifier key—allowing writers to type words like "ஜன்னல்" (window) or "வருஷம்" (year) without switching keyboard modes. IndoWord vs. Other Tamil Keyboard Layouts
: A government-standardized layout that uses a consonant-vowel pattern, designed specifically for efficient computer typing. Typewriter Layout
Unlike the layout, which is standardized by the Tamil Nadu government and follows a consonant-vowel pattern based on layout geography, phonetic-based layouts like Indoword or Anjal focus on how the word sounds. Key Features of the Indoword Approach: