Office Settings & Configuration

How to Type Hindi in Microsoft Word Using Windows Settings

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure their system to type Hindi text directly into Microsoft Word using native Windows keyboard options and compatible fonts.

How to Type Hindi in Microsoft Word Using Windows Keyboard Settings

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Creating or editing documents that require Hindi language input.
Observed behavior: The user must correctly install a Hindi keyboard layout in Windows and select an appropriate font in Word to display Devanagari script accurately.

Before you start

Ensure your Windows operating system is connected to the internet, as you will need to download the Hindi language pack from the Microsoft servers.

Solution 1Recommended

Install and Enable the Hindi Keyboard in Windows Settings

Add the Hindi language pack and keyboard layout to your Windows system, which allows you to type Hindi in any application including Microsoft Word.

Windows has built-in support for typing in hundreds of languages. By adding the Hindi language pack, you can easily toggle between your default language and Hindi using keyboard shortcuts.

Open Windows Language Settings

Click the Start menu, go to Settings, select 'Time & Language', and then click on 'Language' (or 'Language & region' in Windows 11).

Add the Hindi Language

Click the 'Add a language' button, type 'Hindi' in the search bar, select it from the list, and click 'Next' followed by 'Install'.

Select a Keyboard Layout

Once installed, click on the Hindi language options. Under Keyboards, you can add either the 'Hindi Traditional' or 'Hindi Devanagari' keyboard depending on your typing preference.

Switch the Keyboard Language

Open Microsoft Word. Press the Windows key + Spacebar simultaneously to toggle your active keyboard from English to Hindi.

Choose a Compatible Font

In the Word Home tab, change your document font to a Hindi-compatible option such as Mangal, Nirmala UI, or Arial Unicode MS before you begin typing.

Install and Enable the Hindi Keyboard in Windows Settings

Quick Language Switching: Look at the system tray in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar to verify which language is currently active (e.g., ENG for English, HIN for Hindi).

Multilingual Word Processing

Type Hindi Seamlessly in WPS Office

WPS Office fully supports Windows keyboard layouts and Unicode fonts, allowing you to easily type, edit, and format Hindi documents for free.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your Windows computer.
2. Switch Your System Language: Press Windows Key + Spacebar to change your active Windows keyboard to Hindi.
3. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and create a new blank document.
4. Select Font and Type: Choose a font like Nirmala UI or Mangal from the font dropdown, and begin typing your Hindi text effortlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsBuilt-in support for complex scripts and Devanagari fontsLightweight, fast, and free to useFamiliar user interface for quick adaptation

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Hindi text showing as square boxes in Word?

This happens when the currently selected font does not support the Devanagari script. To fix this, highlight the text and change the font to Mangal, Nirmala UI, or Arial Unicode MS.

How do I quickly switch back to typing in English?

You can quickly toggle between Hindi and English (or any other installed language) by pressing the Windows key + Spacebar on your keyboard, or by clicking the language indicator in your Windows taskbar.

Can I type Hindi phonetically using an English keyboard?

Yes, you can install the 'Hindi Phonetic' keyboard from the Windows Language options. This allows you to type words using English letters (e.g., typing 'namaste') and Windows will automatically transliterate them into Hindi script.

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