Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Gmail Hebrew, Arabic

Gmail is now available in two new interface languages, Arabic and Hebrew, Google reports. You can also change the text direction while composing messages. [Thanks Hermon.]


How do I change the text direction while composing a message?

If your Gmail interface language is set to Arabic or Hebrew, you'll be able to select either Left to Right or Right to Left directionality when composing a message. A message can contain any combination of right-to-left and left-to-right paragraphs. By default, Gmail starts composing a message with the Right to Left button active in Hebrew and Arabic interfaces.

To change the text direction:

At the beginning of a message or new paragraph:

1. Click the Left to Right button in the formatting bar of the compose window. The cursor will move to the left side of the compose pane.

Of an existing paragraph:

1. Highlight the paragraph to edit
2. Click the Left to Right button in the formatting bar of the Compose window

The recipient of your email will need to have Right to Left support in their email client in order to properly read your email. If their email client doesn't support Right to Left, invite them to create a Gmail account!