Input Method Editor (IME) is a program that allows computer users to enter complex characters and symbols (such as Japanese, Chinese, Tibetan and Korean characters), using a standard west keyboard.
After you have installed the IME, you just start your programs, select the language from the language bar, and you can type the language you choose, regardless of the language version of the program you are using. It´s specially usefull for users who need to input East Asian text across the language platforms of the operating system.
See also: keyboard layout.