The Input Method Editor (IME) in Windows CE simplifies the process of providing input for users. In particular, IMEs are required for many Asian languages in order to input characters from the keyboard. These languages are often made up of thousands of distinct characters, which makes it impossible to show all of the characters on a single keyboard. To facilitate composition, the IME converts the keystrokes into the characters of the target language as a user types. Depending on the IME, these characters may be further converted. The IME in Windows CE that is localized for Japanese, for example, converts Roman keystrokes entered by a user to Kana or Hiragana. Then, an additional conversion changes characters to Kanji.
The IME can also present a list of alternatives—called the candidate list—in situations in which the composition is ambiguous. A Windows CE application uses the Input Method Manager (IMM) to communicate with the IME.