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Ukelele free download for Mac

Ukelele

Version 3.5.12

Unicode keyboard-layout editor.

4.3
Based on 28 user ratesRead reviews & comments
Free
Absolutely Free

Ukelele overview

Ukelele is a Unicode keyboard layout editor for the XML-format keyboard layout files in OS X (".keylayout" files). It provides a graphical interface to the layout files with support for drag-and-drop character assignments, creation of dead keys, and assignment of multi-character strings.

Ukelele is not able to reassign modifier keys (Option, Shift, Command, Control, caps lock), or change the function of special keys (Return, arrow keys, function keys, etc). Rather, it is for creating keyboard layouts for different languages or other needs.

By the way, the name of this software is intentionally misspelled (try pronouncing it "You-KEY-lay-lay"). Call it an instance of 'artistic license'.

What’s new in version 3.5.12

Updated on Mar 04 2024

  • Dragging to an key with no output was disabled. This is fixed.
  • In the Preferences window, clicking Reset did not update the display to show the new value if the option of saving the XML as characters or code points was changed. This is now fixed.
  • There was an intermittent problem with the size of a window when Ukelele started up, often being a bit too small. At the expense of restoring windows exactly as they were, Ukelele now opens all keyboard windows at their ideal size, if they fit on the screen.
  • When duplicating a keyboard layout in a collection, the icon and intended language are also copied.
  • The list of keyboard types in the Keyboard Types dialog had a white background, even in Dark Mode, so the list was not readable. It now has the default background.
  • The intended language sheet no longer retains the search strings from when it was previously used.
  • Rearranged the pages in the manual so that page numbers in the footer match the page number within the PDF file, so the introduction starts on page 5 rather than page 1.

Information

License

Free

Size

54.2 MB

Downloads

112801

App requirements

  • Intel 64
  • Apple Silicon
  • macOS 10.14.6 or later
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0.0

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  • Comments

  • User Ratings

muhammadimamrafi
muhammadimamrafi
May 24 2021
3.5.2
0.0
May 24 2021
0.0
Version: 3.5.2
i have an issue. my (physical) keyboard have 'menu / application' key (it's only for windows keyboard layout). can i switch to modifier key ?
Atalantia
Atalantia
Oct 10 2020
3.4.2
2.0
Oct 10 2020
2.0
Version: 3.4.2
Save as... doesn't work. I deleted one saved file and wanted to resave it as a bundle.... I was lost and 1 h work to. Crap GUI programming here.
richardkaufmann1
richardkaufmann1
Nov 19 2019
3.4b3
5.0
Nov 19 2019
5.0
Version: 3.4b3
It's a wonderful little app helping enormously to customize the keyboard mainly for layouts with uncommon diacritics. Thanks a lot!
Aargl
Aargl
Jan 19 2019
3.3
5.0
Jan 19 2019
5.0
Version: 3.3
I've discovered Ukelele only a few months ago and I use it exclusively for replacing the coma by a dot, on French numeric keypads. I've been doing this on every Mac I've owned for 20 years or so with Keyboard Maestro and the likes, with some side effects (delay). Thanks Ukelele! :-)
csheremecom8874
csheremecom8874
May 10 2018
3.2.7
4.0
May 10 2018
4.0
Version: 3.2.7
How can I map a key to insert a thinspace [ ] ? I teried dragging 2008 from Unicode on Show Symbols, but it doesn't work…
lars-fornarve
lars-fornarve
Oct 14 2017
3.2.7
3.0
Oct 14 2017
3.0
Version: 3.2.7
Nice program, but right now unusable, since it tells me "The document xx couldn't be saved. You don't have permission." I have an iMac 27" with High Sierra OS and don't understand why I don't have permission to my own, private computer. Could anyone help? I really need a keyboard layout editor!
William-Walles
William-Walles
Aug 12 2016
3.0.5
5.0
Aug 12 2016
5.0
Version: 3.0.5
Very useful tool for creating custom keyboard layouts. I was looking for such kind of software as I often use special symbols and now my work is pretty faster as I do not need to search every single symbol somewhere. Hats off for the developer and million thanks!
Bioxy
Bioxy
May 30 2016
3.0.3
5.0
May 30 2016
5.0
Version: 3.0.3
(See comment below)
Bioxy
Bioxy
May 30 2016
3.0.3
5.0
May 30 2016
5.0
Version: 3.0.3
I'm a heavy "vi" user, and Ukelele provides the simplest, lightest-weight way I know for moving the frequently used Esc key to its rightful position (where grave accent is located on non-UNIX keyboards). Oh, the conniptions and money I used to go through with other "solutions", just for that simple key swap! (With Mac OS X's built-in keyboard modifier keys facility, all of my vi woes were resolved.)
Guest
Guest
Oct 21 2015
3.0.0
0.0
Oct 21 2015
0.0
Version: 3.0.0
What a great update, thank you so much for keeping this unique program up-to-date and accessible!
macsavy
macsavy
Nov 25 2014
2.2.8
4.0
Nov 25 2014
4.0
Version: 2.2.8
Does anyone know how to remap a regular key to a SHIFT key? I inadvertently bought a pre-owned 2011 Macbook Pro (2.53Ghz i5, OS 10.8.5, 4Gb RAM) with an EU/UK keyboard. It works great otherwise, but I cannot manage typing as fast and accurately as usual with a left SHIFT key so tiny--especially since dislocating my left little finger. I downloaded Ukelele and remapped the "capital A with the accent" key into an additional RETURN key, solving the problem with the minuscule EU RETURN key and so many mistypes of it. I've even tried looking up the unicode for the shift key, but it literally will type the U+ etc. numbers, and NOT turn it into a shift key. It says in the manual that "we don't modify modifier keys" or something like that. But I don't want to modify IT, I just want to make another key into a shift key the same way I did with the return key. Also, but not as important, is there any way I can add a key without having to start from scratch with a blank keyboard? On the EU keyboard there's an eject key next to F12. I want to make it into the so sensible DELETE FORWARD key. I'm wanted to attach a screenshot of my modified keyboard but there's no option here I can see. I used the Ukelele Dvorak layout to start with, I believe. (I've used the Dvorak layout for over 20 years now and never get carpal tunnel or tendinitis anymore.) Any help (esp. from the Dev--I will send you $--seriously!) would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.
hanns1730
hanns1730
Aug 4 2014
2.2.8
0.5
Aug 4 2014
0.5
Version: 2.2.8
did anyone manage to fix the problem with the mac OS 10.5.8 that appears when you click on file>new from current input source? Its sad I was looking forward to this :(
Cattus-Thraex
Cattus-Thraex
May 31 2012
2.2
5.0
May 31 2012
5.0
Version: 2.2
A must for all those, who wish to create their own keyboard layouts. Some of my keylayouts were created with Alex Eulenberg’s site, then refined with UKELELE, others created directly with UKELELE. John Brownie deserves all our respect for his work. It is a lot easier to use this app as compared to its Windows equivalent (something like MSKLC or so).
Lolita
Lolita
Feb 2 2012
2.1.8
0.0
Feb 2 2012
0.0
Version: 2.1.8
Is this a kernel extension?
CPa
CPa
Jan 6 2012
2.1.8
3.5
Jan 6 2012
3.5
Version: 2.1.8
Snow Leopard / Mac mini, Logitech illuminated keyboard Ukelele v.2.1.8 When I select Preferences, Themes Ukelele crash width crash file available in my Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/
Kamuela
Kamuela
Dec 29 2010
2.1.4
5.0
Dec 29 2010
5.0
Version: 2.1.4
Great app, even though I'm not much to tinker with keyboard layouts. one thing though.. shouldn't it be UKULELE? and not UKELELE? BTW Ukulele translates into: Jumping Flea. Which is what the Hawaiians thought it sounded like when played.
Cattus-Thraex
Cattus-Thraex
Nov 13 2010
2.1.1
5.0
Nov 13 2010
5.0
Version: 2.1.1
UKELELE is one of those small Mac OS gems, which make me use Mac OS, not Windows or Linux. I have no preconceived ideas, but—when working with linguistc text, dialectal texts or other similar stuff—some applications in Mac OS simply can do what you want, unlike similar Windows or Linux apps. When this achieved, the next step is to have an easy-to-use keylayout editor, as the existing, default keylayout are not sufficient in many instances. With this in view, perhaps Apple may do more in this respect. Note that, out of the basic Apple applications, only TextEdit can easily handle combined diacritical marks. Pages cannot do that.
Cattus-Thraex
Cattus-Thraex
Jul 26 2010
2.0
5.0
Jul 26 2010
5.0
Version: 2.0
UKELELE is that piece of a wonderful application, which makes work easier and faster. All those needing to write special texts (in the field of linguistics, dialectology and other specialized fields) will need UKELELE in order to creater their custom keyboard layouts. Meanwhile, it has grown up as a mature application, of professional level. Congratulations to John Brownie for his constant work.
John-Brownie
John-Brownie
Feb 9 2010
2.0b4
0.0
Feb 9 2010
0.0
Version: 2.0b4
I believe that most of the problems with beta versions of version 2.0 have been solved, though there are still some minor issues to work on. Hopefully just about everything is working correctly now.
John-Brownie
John-Brownie
Feb 9 2010
2.0b4
0.0
Feb 9 2010
0.0
Version: 2.0b4
I believe that most of the problems with beta versions of version 2.0 have been solved, though there are still some minor issues to work on. Hopefully just about everything is working correctly now.
Atalantia
Atalantia
Oct 10 2020
2.0
Oct 10 2020
2.0
Version: null
vieuxcon696
vieuxcon696
Apr 20 2020
5.0
Apr 20 2020
5.0
Version: null
richardkaufmann1
richardkaufmann1
Nov 19 2019
5.0
Nov 19 2019
5.0
Version: null
Aargl
Aargl
Jan 19 2019
5.0
Jan 19 2019
5.0
Version: null
csheremecom8874
csheremecom8874
May 10 2018
4.0
May 10 2018
4.0
Version: null
lars-fornarve
lars-fornarve
Oct 14 2017
3.0
Oct 14 2017
3.0
Version: null
William-Walles
William-Walles
Aug 12 2016
5.0
Aug 12 2016
5.0
Version: null
Bioxy
Bioxy
May 30 2016
5.0
May 30 2016
5.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Oct 21 2015
5.0
Oct 21 2015
5.0
Version: null
macsavy
macsavy
Nov 25 2014
4.0
Nov 25 2014
4.0
Version: null
hanns1730
hanns1730
Aug 4 2014
0.5
Aug 4 2014
0.5
Version: null
anonymous-crocodile-3658
Mar 12 2014
5.0
Version: null
Widber
Widber
Jan 10 2014
5.0
Jan 10 2014
5.0
Version: null
Andrew8042
Andrew8042
Oct 4 2013
5.0
Oct 4 2013
5.0
Version: null
Runty
Runty
May 17 2013
5.0
May 17 2013
5.0
Version: null
Flip-Flap-Flop!
Flip-Flap-Flop!
May 7 2013
5.0
May 7 2013
5.0
Version: null
Cattus-Thraex
Cattus-Thraex
May 31 2012
5.0
May 31 2012
5.0
Version: null
CPa
CPa
Jan 6 2012
3.5
Jan 6 2012
3.5
Version: null
Kamuela
Kamuela
Dec 29 2010
5.0
Dec 29 2010
5.0
Version: null
Spagh
Spagh
Dec 6 2010
3.0
Dec 6 2010
3.0
Version: null
Nontroppo
Nontroppo
Jan 16 2010
5.0
Jan 16 2010
5.0
Version: null
Hal0thane
Hal0thane
Aug 1 2008
5.0
Aug 1 2008
5.0
Version: null
anonymous-snipe-293
anonymous-snipe-293
Jul 18 2007
5.0
Jul 18 2007
5.0
Version: null
Qaitakalnin
Qaitakalnin
May 10 2006
4.5
May 10 2006
4.5
Version: null
Yoxi
Yoxi
Dec 22 2005
5.0
Dec 22 2005
5.0
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Apr 19 2005
4.5
Apr 19 2005
4.5
Version: null
Guest
Guest
Jan 8 2005
4.5
Jan 8 2005
4.5
Version: null
Lordlothar250
Lordlothar250
Jul 19 2004
2.3
Jul 19 2004
2.3
Version: null
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