Text converter between different keyboard layouts

[MikronT]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

A new keyboard shortcut (something like Win+Shift) to switch between keyboard layouts like Win+Space does but WITH converting selected text to the chosen keyboard layout.

Scenario when this would be used?

When you have 2+ different keyboard layouts installed and need to switch between them very often, you can mistakenly start typing text on the wrong one.

For example, I have 3 keyboard layouts installed: for typing in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Chatting with friends in Ukrainian, searching for some info in Russian, and coding simultaneously require changing the layout every time I switch between these activities. I often forget about this and start typing with the wrong one selected producing something like Ghbdsn? zr cghfdb instead of Привіт, як справи? or мукн шьзщкефте ьуыыфпу instead of very important message. Sometimes you can write a very large piece of text on the wrong keyboard layout and then have to retype everything.

With a specific keyboard shortcut, you can select that text written on the wrong layout, hold down Win, and press Shift several times to convert the selected text. Example scenario:

Select мукн шьзщкефте ьуыыфпу -> hold down Win and press Shift once (conversion to Ukrainian happens) -> мукн шьзщкефте ьуііфпу still not the right one -> press Shift again (conversion to English happens) -> very important message finally the right one!

Additionally, the new shortcut can also send Win+Space to also display the system's built-in language switching dialog and change the layout to let the user continue typing with the right one selected.

Supporting information

No response

[crutkas]

this is actually a really neat idea. Testing i have different keyboards installed and i do this ALL THE TIME

[Yoksven]

I always wanted for this type of feature to exist somewhere. I really hope it gets implemented.

[AivenGor]

This is an amazing feature. The app that does this, Punto Switcher, was made in Russia once, sold to Yandex for 100k USD, and now it's quite frightening to continue using it.

There are some alternatives for:
Windows, Windows NT
Aml Maple
Arum Switcher
Caramba Switcher
dotSwitcher
EveryLang
Key Switcher
Keyboard Ninja
LangOver
Mahou
Orfo Switcher

Seems like all of these are maid by Russians or anonymous groups. Rooting for your implementation of this brilliant idea!

[VladWinner]

@MikronT Maybe you should try Mahou. https://github.com/BladeMight/Mahou/releases/tag/latest-commit

[mnymic]

Description of the new feature / enhancement

A new keyboard shortcut (something like Win+Shift) to switch between keyboard layouts like Win+Space does but WITH converting selected text to the chosen keyboard layout.

Scenario when this would be used?

When you have 2+ different keyboard layouts installed and need to switch between them very often, you can mistakenly start typing text on the wrong one.

For example, I have 3 keyboard layouts installed: for typing in Ukrainian, Russian, and English. Chatting with friends in Ukrainian, searching for some info in Russian, and coding simultaneously require changing the layout every time I switch between these activities. I often forget about this and start typing with the wrong one selected producing something like Ghbdsn? zr cghfdb instead of Привіт, як справи? or мукн шьзщкефте ьуыыфпу instead of very important message. Sometimes you can write a very large piece of text on the wrong keyboard layout and then have to retype everything.

With a specific keyboard shortcut, you can select that text written on the wrong layout, hold down Win, and press Shift several times to convert the selected text. Example scenario:

Select мукн шьзщкефте ьуыыфпу -> hold down Win and press Shift once (conversion to Ukrainian happens) -> мукн шьзщкефте ьуііфпу still not the right one -> press Shift again (conversion to English happens) -> very important message finally the right one!

Additionally, the new shortcut can also send Win+Space to also display the system's built-in language switching dialog and change the layout to let the user continue typing with the right one selected.

Supporting information

No response

@MikronT Thanks for putting your time and effort into such a detailed description.
As a long-time PowerToys user, I can't be more excited to have such a useful feature in the toolset.
Also, your user story looks like more than sufficient input for ChatGPT to generate a function or a script written in a programming language of choice.
(BTW, ChatGPT unavailable in UA last time I checked)
Haven't tried Co-pilot yet, but I have heard rather impressive reports on experimenting with it. :)

[kalikin-artem]

That would be a fantastic feature for all who uses more than one keyboard layout, looking forward to see it 👍

[VStepulo]

Is this feature already implemented?

[mnymic]

Not implemented yet, but the fact the issue is still open gives hope it will be someday.

[LowTechPotato]

wait it so much!

[toranih]

نامفهوم زبان فارسی

[toranih]

iraniزبان فارسی

[niroomechanic]

It would be so great if this could be implemented as soon as possible.