We could use xmodmap to remap keys in ubuntu.
First, generate the current keycode map:
xmodmap -pke > .Xmodmap
Then open the .Xmodmap file, find the key you want to remap. In my case, the PageUp key is too close to the left arrow key and the PageDown key is too close to the right arrow key. Many times when I want to press the left arrow key, I pressed the PageUp key by accident. And I barely use the PageUp and PageDown key, so I want to remap the PageUp to LeftArrow and PageDown to RightArrow.
Once you open the .Xmodmap file, you will see a list of keycode and their functions, for example:
keycode 38 = a A a A
And it is easy to find the keycode for the LeftArrow and RightArrow keys:
keycode 83 = KP_Left KP_4 KP_Left KP_4
keycode 85 = KP_Right KP_6 KP_Right KP_6
But I don't know the keycode for the PageUp and PageDown key, so I need to find that first.
To detect what the keycode is for specific key, use command:
$ xev -event keyboard
In my system, when I press PageUp, it shows 112:
So we can find that in the .Xmodmap file:
keycode 112 = Prior NoSymbol Prior
keycode 117 = Next NoSymbol Next
Now to remap those keys, we just need to change them to the Left and Right arrow:
keycode 112 = KP_Left KP_4 KP_Left KP_4
keycode 117 = KP_Right KP_6 KP_Right KP_6
Now save the file, and activate the key map:
$ xmodmap .Xmodmap
Now if you press the "PageUp" key, it will work like the LeftArrow key.
But this change will only work in this login session. After you reboot the system, the keyboard will be reset to the default keys. To make it work on every reboot, we need to set an command to the "Startup Application":
$ xmodmap .Xmodmap
$ xkbcomp $DISPLAY $HOME/.xkbmap
Now open "Startup Application":
Click Add, set name to "Remap Keys", and the command to:
xkbcomp /home/user/.xkbmap ":0"
Make sure you replace the user above to your username. Then reboot your system, the remap should work on next boot.
Top comments (14)
$ xkbcomp /home/user/.xkbmap ":0"
Error: Cannot open display ":0"
Exiting
Gave up on terminal. Unsure what the command ":0" is supposed to do. I read this article- linuxuprising.com/2020/12/remap-ke...
Then I installed input-mapper- github.com/sezanzeb/input-remapper
Got this funky UK keyboard on a Starbook laptop with a narrow left hand shift key where there is an extra ">" less than key which I changed to be an additional left shift key. Now I can type at a normal speed again.
Running- Pop!_OS 21.10 x86_64 on a Starbook-mk-v
Thanks for the efforts. Couldn't get it to work for me.
Pop OS use display ":1"
Thanks for this
Nice, you can also use the xdotool/AutoKey combo which I've been using for many years and have been planning a tutorial for it.
Actually it'll be for window management as well with wmctrl.
I'll also be doing one on AutoHotkey in Windows.
Just loved your tutorial!
Saved my day. Had keys that had stopped working.
Hello, I can get to remap colon and semicolon keys to same key?
yes you can
When I done the steps from that tutorial my Ubuntu didn't booting. I had to change the modifications that I made via the safe mode boot.
Well i do it this way:
Assigned hyphen, to another key. Only this. Now, normal key press prints hyphen + when I shift press that key, I get underscore too.
Right now _ - I just typed using those keys.
Better to try and test, before making them permanent.
Can I change Ctrl + C to Alt? And how can I do that?
Thanks.
million dollar's article, man !
I'm having trouble setting it as a startup aplication. I am able to succesfully edit .Xmodmap but I cant make xkbcomp /home/user/.xkbmap ":0" work.
I just have only one thing to say: Thank you so much!