Why do my Keyboard Symbols Change?

I have a US keyboard (the @ symbol is above the 2, rather than above the comma) and what comes out when I type combinations of keys randomly changes sometimes. Usually it will have been one way for however long (a couple of days/weeks), and will change one day when I turn on the computer and stay that way for a while. But yesterday it changed in the middle of writing a Word doc.

What happens is, sometimes I use these combinations:
SHIFT + 3 = £
ALT + 3 = #
SHIFT + 2 = @
ALT + 2 = €
ALT + SHIFT + 2 = ™

then, it'll change so that I have to use these combinations:
SHIFT + 3 = #
ALT + 3 = £
SHIFT + 2 = @
ALT + 2 = ™
ALT + SHIFT + 2 = €

Does anyone have an idea why it changes randomly, and how I can stop it? I never know what symbol's going to come up when I need a currency symbol, which I use about a hundred times each day at work (so it's kinda important!)

Shift-3=# is the US keyboard normal. Check in System prefs and make sure this button is checked. All I can think of.

cradom said:

Shift-3=# is the US keyboard normal. Check in System prefs and make sure this button is checked. All I can think of.

Click to expand...

My keyboard is printed with a £ above the 3...does that mean I have a pseudo UK/US keyboard?

I check in System prefs and the button is checked, but both British and U.S. are selected - could this affect my keyboard?

You have a UK keyboard.
Possibly. Make sure the language you use most is first in the list.
Also, and I just noticed this, do you use Spotlight shortcuts? Seems it's the same as the shortcut to change languages...command-space and command-shift-space. That 'might' have something to do with it.

cradom said:

You have a UK keyboard.
Possibly. Make sure the language you use most is first in the list.
Also, and I just noticed this, do you use Spotlight shortcuts? Seems it's the same as the shortcut to change languages...command-space and command-shift-space. That 'might' have something to do with it.

Click to expand...

That was exactly it - thank you! I pressed CMD + SPACE and it went back to normal. I've seen 'Spotlight' pop up in the corner of my screen, but didn't know what it was; I must have pressed it accidentally when I was typing the document.

Glad you got it figured out.

cradom said:

You have a UK keyboard.
Possibly. Make sure the language you use most is first in the list.
Also, and I just noticed this, do you use Spotlight shortcuts? Seems it's the same as the shortcut to change languages...command-space and command-shift-space. That 'might' have something to do with it.

Click to expand...

Nice going. I had never noticed this. I've been trying to give you a rep bump for this since yesterday but the button doesn't seem to be working.

Nice going. I had never noticed this. I've been trying to give you a rep bump for this since yesterday but the button doesn't seem to be working.

Click to expand...

That's because I already gave him rep for the post. You're too slow my friend!

I never knew this either until I really looked at the pref pane. Thanks guys!

chscag said:

That's because I already gave him rep for the post. You're too slow my friend!

Click to expand...

So I guess that means when I write a brilliant missive only one of my vast army of minions can give me rep for it. Here I was thinking they were falling down on the job.