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.
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How to add special characters on a Windows PC
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.
If you don't have a numpad,you can hold the Windows key and press period (.) to bring up the emoji keyboard.
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.
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How to enter special characters and symbols
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.
Using the number pad on a Windows computer lets you use the ANSI code for special characters and symbols. Press Alt + [the number code for the symbol or accented letter]. For example, Alt + 1 inserts ☺, while Alt + 0153 inserts the trademark ™.
Using the number pad on a Windows computer lets you use the ANSI code for special characters and symbols. Press Alt + [the number code for the symbol or accented letter]. For example, Alt + 1 inserts ☺, while Alt + 0153 inserts the trademark ™.
Press Shift + Control + ~, then the letter to add a tilde accent. You will find the tilde is the same key used to make the grave accent. Be sure to hold down the Shift key or you will end up with a grave accent instead. Release the keys, then select the desired letter.
Step 1: Open a messaging app of your choice and tap a text field to open your keyboard. Step 2: Select the Options button in the top-left and then choose Settings. Step 3: Select Emojis, stickers and GIFs. Step 4: Make sure Emoji stickers is turned on.
In Microsoft apps such as Notepad or Word, or in the Edge web browser, press Windows key + ; (semicolon) or Windows key +.(period) to open a window that will allow you to insert an emoji, kaomoji or special character.
Alt Codes – How to Type Special Characters and Keyboard Symbols on Windows Using the Alt Keys. In Windows, you can type any character you want by holding down the ALT key, typing a sequence of numbers, then releasing the ALT key.
ö = Hold down the Control and Shift keys and type a : (colon), release the keys, and type an o. Ö = Hold down the Control and Shift keys and type a : (colon), release the keys, hold down the Shift key and type an o.
One of the easiest ways of getting started with custom emojis is through the Gboard keyboard for Android (which may already be your default one, depending on the make and model of your phone). Gboard is also available for iOS, but you don't get the same custom emoji feature included.
To access it: Open a search box by hitting the Win-Q keys, and search for “character map.” You'll get a pop-up map showing a bunch of special characters for a specific font.
In your document, position the insertion point where you want the special character to appear. Press and hold down the ALT key while you type the four number Unicode value for the character.
Press “Ctrl" plus the apostrophe key and then the letter to insert an acute accent. Press “Ctrl" plus the grave accent key and then the letter to insert a grave accent. Press “Ctrl-Shift” and the caret (" ^ ") key and then the letter to insert a circumflex accent.
Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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