Additional Information
The most powerful desktop software for creating keyboard layouts
| Latest Version | Keyman Developer 16.0.146 |
| Requirements |
Windows 7/Windows 8/Windows 10/Windows 11 |
| Updated | March 13, 2024 |
| Author | SIL International |
| Category | Desktop Enhancements |
| License | Open Source |
| Language | English |
| Download | 193 |
Overview
Keyman Developer is a free comprehensive keyboard management utility that empowers all Windows PC users to take full control over virtual keyboard functions with tools that allow for seamless remapping of keys, creating new shortcuts and macros, language presets, and preparing virtual keyboard for deployment into a wide variety of hosted applications on PC and mobile platforms.
Built from the ground up to be as versatile as possible, this open-source utility can supercharge app development on all supported platforms, becoming a go-to source for all developer virtual keyboard needs.
This virtual keyboard management utility allows developers to unleash their creativity and reach their goals with two customization approaches – a full source code repository that can be manually tweaked as extensively as it is needed, and a fully-featured drag & drop editor where users are empowered to develop smart keyboard layouts without technical knowledge by simply using their mouse and the large built-in library of keyboard elements. The app provides everyone access to an impressively large catalog of Unicode 14.0 characters that have grown to the size of 144 thousand of letters and symbols, with a powerful search engine enabling anyone to quickly find and identify keyboard elements.
Keyman Developer can be used for the development of in-app keyboards on desktop PC apps, mobile devices, and even purpose-built commercial devices such as kiosks, vending machines, and anything else imaginable. Virtual keyboards can be as stylish or traditional as the user wants them to be, with full support for visual themes and detailed customization of character sizes, and special functions.
For example, touch keyboards intended for use on mobile devices can utilize the long-press feature to unlock faster access to uppercase/lowercase characters without the need for cumbersome Shift layers. Metadata about virtual keyboards can be even detected by 3rd party apps, such as Windows and Office which can associate virtual keyboard layouts with specific languages.
Seasoned developers can extract maximum advantage from the source code editing approach by taking advantage of advanced programming options, such as contextual coding rules, character stores, rule groups, deadkeys, two-layer types, and extensive debugging tools. In addition to native app support for Windows, iOS, and Android, Keyman Developer can be automatically ported to universally supported JavaScript form, and embedded into websites.
PROS
Built from the ground up to be as versatile as possible, this open-source utility can supercharge app development on all supported platforms, becoming a go-to source for all developer virtual keyboard needs.
This virtual keyboard management utility allows developers to unleash their creativity and reach their goals with two customization approaches – a full source code repository that can be manually tweaked as extensively as it is needed, and a fully-featured drag & drop editor where users are empowered to develop smart keyboard layouts without technical knowledge by simply using their mouse and the large built-in library of keyboard elements. The app provides everyone access to an impressively large catalog of Unicode 14.0 characters that have grown to the size of 144 thousand of letters and symbols, with a powerful search engine enabling anyone to quickly find and identify keyboard elements.
Keyman Developer can be used for the development of in-app keyboards on desktop PC apps, mobile devices, and even purpose-built commercial devices such as kiosks, vending machines, and anything else imaginable. Virtual keyboards can be as stylish or traditional as the user wants them to be, with full support for visual themes and detailed customization of character sizes, and special functions.
For example, touch keyboards intended for use on mobile devices can utilize the long-press feature to unlock faster access to uppercase/lowercase characters without the need for cumbersome Shift layers. Metadata about virtual keyboards can be even detected by 3rd party apps, such as Windows and Office which can associate virtual keyboard layouts with specific languages.
Seasoned developers can extract maximum advantage from the source code editing approach by taking advantage of advanced programming options, such as contextual coding rules, character stores, rule groups, deadkeys, two-layer types, and extensive debugging tools. In addition to native app support for Windows, iOS, and Android, Keyman Developer can be automatically ported to universally supported JavaScript form, and embedded into websites.
PROS
- Easy to use keyboard editor
- Supports over 1000 languages
- Comprehensive character map editor
- Integration with Microsoft Office
- Advanced font management tools
CONS
- Expensive for small businesses
- Limited online community support
Conclusion
Overall, Keyman Developer is a comprehensive and free keyboard management utility that provides extensive tools for remapping keys, creating new shortcuts and macros, language presets, and virtual keyboard deployment on various platforms. It offers two customization approaches, a full source code repository, and a drag & drop editor.
Although the app has advanced font management tools and integration with Microsoft Office, it can be expensive for small businesses, and its online community support is limited. Nonetheless, the app is 100% free and can be deployed on any modern Windows OS.
