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BeastOfCaerbannog
Asked: 2020-10-24 03:54:00 +0800 CST

Why is the compose key (AltGr) disabled by default?

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The compose key (usually AltGr) is used to make it easier to insert alternate characters and symbols using easy to remember character sequences. Here is a useful list with the available characters and symbols.

This key is disabled by default in Ubuntu and can be enabled as shown here: How can I enable Compose key?

But why is this key disabled by default in the first place?

keyboard-layout shortcut-keys

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer
    1. The compose key is the key you define for the purpose and not necessarily AltGr (Right Alt).
    2. Many keyboard layouts use AltGr by default as a modifier to access 3rd and 4th level symbols included in the layout, and in those cases it's not suitable to define AltGr as a compose key.

    I assume it's not enabled by default because there is no obvious key which would be suitable in all use cases. The key you define as a compose key stops working in its original way.

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