Flow fails to detect text fields or inserts incorrectly on non-QWERTY keyboard layouts

Last updated: April 30, 2026

Available on: Mac, Windows

If Flow plays an error chime, shows "Click a textbox and use [shortcut] to paste," or inserts text incorrectly when you use a non-QWERTY keyboard layout (Dvorak, Colemak, or a non-Latin layout) — this guide will help you fix it. Most issues resolve in under 2 minutes.

Quick checks

  • Are you using a non-QWERTY layout? Check your menu bar — if you see Dvorak, Colemak, or a non-Latin script, this guide applies to you.

  • Did the issue start after switching layouts? If Flow worked before you changed keyboard layouts, that's almost certainly the cause.

  • Does paste work in other apps? Press Cmd+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V (Windows) in a text editor. If paste fails there too, the issue is system-wide, not Flow-specific.

How to fix this

Important: Avoid switching keyboard layouts while Flow is running. Flow captures the paste key once when its helper process starts and does not update when you change layouts mid-session. If the helper restarts (for example, after sleep/wake), it re-detects based on whatever layout is active at that moment.

Non-Latin layouts (Cyrillic, Arabic, CJK)

Follow these steps to dictate reliably while using a non-Latin keyboard layout:

  1. Switch to QWERTY in your menu bar before launching Flow.

  2. Keep QWERTY active while dictating and pasting.

  3. Switch back to your non-Latin layout only for typing — then return to QWERTY before your next dictation.

  4. Dictate a short phrase to confirm text inserts correctly. If text appears as expected, you're done. If the paste prompt or error chime returns, confirm QWERTY is active in your menu bar and try again.

Alternative Latin layouts (Dvorak, Colemak)

Follow these steps to use Flow with Dvorak, Colemak, or other alternative Latin layouts:

  1. Set your preferred layout before launching Flow.

  2. Keep that layout active for the entire session — the helper may restart and re-detect the layout.

  3. Dictate a short phrase to confirm text inserts correctly. If text appears as expected, you're done. If paste still fails, switch to QWERTY instead — some macOS apps handle Cmd-modified shortcuts by physical key position rather than character mapping.

Note: If Flow can't insert text into a focused field, it will often recover automatically by opening the Scratchpad window with your transcribed text — so you won't lose what you dictated. On Windows, if Flow detects that the wrong text was pasted, it will open the Scratchpad so you can copy the text and paste it manually with Ctrl+V.

FAQs

Why does this happen?

Flow detects which physical key produces "v" once when its helper process starts, based on your active keyboard layout. That key is then used for every Cmd+V (Mac) or Ctrl+V (Windows) paste during the session. If you switch layouts after the helper starts, the stored key may no longer match — so paste can fire the wrong combination, triggering formatting shortcuts, closing panels, or playing an error chime.

Do I need to stay on QWERTY after launching Flow?

It depends on your layout. For non-Latin layouts, switch back to QWERTY before each dictation. For alternative Latin layouts (Dvorak, Colemak), stay on that layout for the entire session — switching mid-session can cause issues.

Why does paste sometimes fail even after following these steps?

When Flow needs to re-focus your application before pasting (for example, if another app took focus during dictation), the recovery path uses a QWERTY paste key regardless of your layout. Normal pastes are layout-aware and work correctly on non-QWERTY layouts. Keeping QWERTY active minimizes issues with the recovery path.

What is the Scratchpad and how do I use it?

The Scratchpad is a small window that appears automatically when Flow can't paste your dictated text into a focused text field. It shows your transcribed text with a Copy button so you can copy the text to your clipboard and paste it where you need it. You can also edit the text directly in the Scratchpad before copying.

When the Scratchpad opens after a Polish paste failure, it also shows a before/after comparison so you can see what changes Polish made to your text. You can open the Scratchpad manually at any time using Option+S on Mac or Win+Alt+S on Windows.

Can I stop Polish from auto-pasting and use the Scratchpad instead?

Yes. In Polish Settings, turn off the Auto paste after polish toggle. When disabled, polished text will open in the Scratchpad with a before/after comparison instead of being automatically inserted into your active text field.

Will this be fixed permanently?

The team is working on a fix that detects the correct paste key dynamically. For now, the workarounds above resolve the issue for most users.

Still stuck?

Reach out to support if:

  • The issue persists after following all steps above.

  • You're using a layout not mentioned here and need help identifying the right workaround.

In the Flow desktop app, click the ? icon, then select Talk to support. Include your keyboard layout name, your OS version, and what you've already tried. Messages sent this way include diagnostic information that helps us resolve issues faster.