Written by Abigail Abesamis Demarest
2021-06-25T21:43:06Z
- You can add special characters while typing on a computer using keyboard shortcuts or a special pop-up window.
- Both Windows and Mac computers have the same special characters, but have different ways of typing them.
- Windows users can use numeric codes to enter special characters, while Mac users can use a Character Viewer menu.
From degree signs to accents, there are dozens of special characters that can be added to your text on a computer. This even includes emoji, which are more popular than ever these days.
Here's how to type special characters on a PC and insert them on MacOS.
To type special characters in Windows, hold the Alt key, type the number code associated with the special character you want using the numpad that's located on the right side of your keyboard. The row of numbers above your letter keys won't work.
Advertisem*nt Advertisem*nt If you don't have a numpad,you can hold the Windows key and press period (.) to bring up the emoji keyboard. Advertisem*nt There are many special characters you can type using Alt codes, but here are some basic ones: Advertisem*nt Apple notes that if the character you want is specific to a particular language, there's a chance you'll need to change your keyboard to that language to see it as an option. 1. When typing a letter that requires an accent or another type of diacritical mark, simply hold down the key representing that letter. If the key has options for diacritical marks, an accent menu will pop up. 2. Click the desired character or type the corresponding number key that appears beneath the character you want. Advertisem*nt 1. Place the cursor where you want to add a special character or symbol. 2. Click Edit in the toolbar at the very top of your screen, and select Emoji & Symbols in the drop-down. Or, press Control + Command + Spacebar. 3. Locate the special character or symbol you want to use by scrolling or clicking the buttons at the bottom of the menu to jump to a specific category. You can also type in the search bar to narrow your search. Click the icon at the top right to see the expanded version of Character Viewer. 4. Click the character or symbol to insert it into your text. Abigail Abesamis Demarest is a contributing writer for Insider based in New York. She loves a good glazed donut and nerdy deep dives into the science of food and how it's made. How to add special characters on a Windows PC
A list of common special character codes
Alt Code Special Character Alt + 1 ☺ Alt + 2 ☻ Alt + 3 ♥ Alt + 4 ♦ Alt + 5 ♣ Alt + 6 ♠ Alt + 7 • Alt + 8 ◘ Alt + 9 ○ Alt + 10 ◙ Alt + 11 ♂ Alt + 12 ♀ Alt + 13 ♪ Alt + 14 ♫ Alt + 15 ☼ Alt + 16 ► Alt + 17 ◄ Alt + 18 ↕ Alt + 19 ‼ Alt + 20 ¶ Alt + 21 § Alt + 22 ▬ Alt + 23 ↨ Alt + 24 ↑ Alt + 25 ↓ Alt + 26 → Alt + 27 ← Alt + 28 ∟ Alt + 29 ↔ Alt + 30 ▲ Alt + 31 ▼ How to insert special characters on a Mac
How to add accents and other diacritical marks
How to enter special characters and symbols
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As an enthusiast with demonstrable knowledge in computer usage and keyboard shortcuts, I can provide valuable insights into the concepts discussed in the article you shared. My expertise extends to the efficient use of special characters on both Windows and Mac computers.
The article primarily covers the methods for typing special characters on a computer, with a focus on Windows and Mac operating systems. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed:
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Special Characters on Windows:
- Windows users can employ keyboard shortcuts involving the Alt key and numeric codes from the numpad (located on the right side of the keyboard).
- If a user doesn't have a numpad, an alternative method is to hold the Windows key and press the period (.) to bring up the emoji keyboard.
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List of Common Special Character Codes on Windows:
- The article provides a list of common special characters along with their corresponding Alt codes, such as ☺, ☻, ♥, ♦, ♣, ♠, and more.
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Special Characters on Mac:
- Mac users can access special characters through the Character Viewer menu.
- When typing a letter that requires an accent or diacritical mark, holding down the key reveals an accent menu from which users can select the desired character.
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Inserting Special Characters on Mac:
- Users can place the cursor where they want to add a special character, then access the Emoji & Symbols menu through the toolbar or by using the keyboard shortcut Control + Command + Spacebar.
- The Character Viewer allows users to locate and insert special characters or symbols by scrolling, searching, and clicking.
The article is authored by Abigail Abesamis Demarest, a contributing writer for Insider based in New York, known for her interests in food science and exploration.
If you have any specific questions or if there's a particular aspect you'd like more information on, feel free to ask!
