Mastering the AZERTY Keyboard: A Guide for Typists

What is an Azerty keyboard?

The Azerty keyboard layout is mainly used in French-speaking countries like France and Belgium. The first six letters in the first row of the keyboard letter area are A, Z, E, R, T, and Y for this layout. The design of this layout is based on the Qwerty keyboard. The AZERTY keyboard reflects the historical legacy of usage habits and technological development in a specific language environment.

Key Features of the Azerty Layout

• Letter arrangement: the letters on the top row are arranged as A-Z-E-R-T-Y. That means the letters AQ and ZW on the azerty keyboard are interchangeable with the qwerty keyboard. And the letter M and :; key are interchangeable.
• Special Characters: AZERTY keyboards have special characters like accented vowels (é, è, à), which are commonly used in French. These characters are more accessible, often with dedicated keys.
• Punctuation and Symbols: Some punctuation marks and symbols are positioned differently on an AZERTY keyboard to align with French typing conventions. For example, the period (.) and number keys require the use of the Shift key, while the semicolon (;) and equal sign (=) are accessible without it.
• Functionality: In addition to accommodating the French language, AZERTY keyboards also support Belgian Dutch and are generally designed to work well for typing in multiple European languages.

In addition to the AZERTY keyboard, there are several other different keyboard layouts, such as the QWERTZ keyboard, which is widely used in countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The QWERTZ keyboard is similar to the AZERTY keyboard, but there are some differences in the order of letters in the letter area, such as the position of the "Z" and "Y" keys being swapped. The design and application of this layout also reflect the typing needs of people from different language and cultural backgrounds.

Azerty vs. Qwerty

Feature	Azerty	Qwerty
Origin	France	United States
Primary Usage	French-speaking countries	English-speaking countries
Top Row Letters	A-Z-E-R-T-Y	Q-W-E-R-T-Y
Special Characters	Direct access to accented letters (é, è, à)	Limited, requires Alt codes or special combinations
Punctuation	The period requires the Shift key, and the semicolon and other characters are directly accessible.	Period (.), comma (,), and other punctuation marks are accessible without using the Shift key.

1. Origin

The Qwerty eyboard was originally designed in the 19th century by Christopher Latham Sholes. This layout was originally designed to slow down typing and prevent the metal arms of early typewriters from getting stuck.

The Azerty keyboard was first proposed in 1907 as the "ZHJAYSCPG keyboard,"  but it was not until 1976 that Claude Marsan designed and arranged it into the Azerty layout that people are familiar with today.

2. Primary Usage

The Qwerty keyboard is widely used in English-speaking countries.

The Azerty keyboard is commonly used in France, Belgium, and some African countries with a French influence.

3. Top Row Letters

The top row of the Qwerty keyboard begins with Q-W-E-R-T-Y.

The top row of the Azerty keyboard begins with A-Z-E-R-T-Y.

4. Special Characters

The Qwerty keyboard is designed with English in mind, featuring easy access to commonly used English punctuation marks.

The Azerty keyboard has easy access to accented characters (é, è, à) and other symbols commonly used in French.

 5. Punctuation

For the QWERTY keyboard, Period (.), comma (,), and other punctuation marks are accessible without using the Shift key.

For the Azertyeyboard, the period requires the Shift key, and the semicolon and other characters are directly accessible.

Tips for Transitioning to AZERTY

If you're transitioning from a QWERTY keyboard to an AZERTY layout, you might find the process less seamless than expected. When transitioning to the AZERTY keyboard, you need to adapt to the new letter arrangement order, adjust your typing habits, and become familiar with special character input.

1. Get used to the arrangement of letters

The order of letters on the AZERTY keyboard is a little different from the QWERTY keyboard. You may hit the wrong key when typing because "A" and "Q" are in the same position on both keyboards, but "Z" and "W" are swapped. Practice more and get familiar with it and you will be able to get started!

2. Adjust your typing habits

When you first use the AZERTY keyboard, you may feel that your typing speed has slowed down because you haven't adjusted to the new layout. Don't rush, take your time, start with simple text, such as writing a shopping list or sending a short message to a friend, and then gradually try more difficult things, such as writing a report or taking meeting minutes.

3. Get familiar with special character input

The AZERTY keyboard is very friendly to special letters in French, such as "é", "à", and "ç". To enter these characters, you usually need to hold down the "Alt Gr" key (that is, the Alt key on the right) and press the corresponding letter key at the same time. For example, hold down "Alt Gr" and press "e" to type "é". Mastering this technique will make typing in French much faster.

4. Understand the use case

AZERTY keyboards are particularly suitable for typing in French and are very popular in the French-speaking regions of France and Belgium. If you live, work, or have business dealings with companies in these places, using an AZERTY keyboard is a good choice.

5. Consider personal needs

There may be some minor differences in AZERTY keyboards on the market, depending on the brand or the user's customization settings. When choosing a keyboard, it is best to find one that allows you to easily switch between language layouts, especially if you have to switch back and forth between English and French.

In short, switching to an AZERTY keyboard may take a little time and patience, but once you get used to it, you will find that your typing efficiency has greatly improved, especially when typing in French.

Best azerty Keyboards

Black on White 5075B Plus ISO FR Keyboard

Akko Black on White 5075B Plus is the Azerty keyboard, it is the best choice for French-speaking users who value both functionality and style. Also, you can find the pbt keycaps printed with the pattern of the Eiffel Tower, and the special keycaps with classic French colors add a unique charm to the entire keyboard.

This keyboard is in the gasket mounting style, proving a softer and quieter typing experience. And it supports Bluetooth 5.0, 2.4GHz wireless, and wired USB Type-C connections, making it a good choice for those who work across multiple devices. In addition, the hot-swappable switches and customizable RGB lighting add a level of personalization that can appeal to both casual users and keyboard enthusiasts. The durable build and thoughtful design ensure that this keyboard will serve you well in both work and play.

MOD 007B HE Black on White ISO

Akko MOD 007B HE Black on White ISO is the hall effect keyboard that includes azerty layout. This will be a remarkable choice for users who want the precision of Hall-effect magnetic switches combined with the AZERTY layout.

Hall effect switches offer unparalleled precision, faster response times, and an extended lifespan compared to traditional mechanical switches, making it ideal for high-performance tasks.Tailored for French-speaking users, the AZERTY layout is essential for typing in French and other languages that require this specific configuration, ensuring an efficient and comfortable typing experience.

Whether for work or play, this keyboard delivers an exceptional typing experience with the added benefits of long-lasting durability and easy customization.

Final

The AZERTY keyboard, as an optimized choice for French input, shows unique design and application advantages. It shows significant advantages in improving French input efficiency and reducing input errors. Although its global popularity is limited, in French-speaking countries, it is undoubtedly the tool of choice for inputting French. For users who need to input French frequently, being familiar with and mastering the use of the AZERTY keyboard will be an important step to improving work efficiency.