You can enter accented letters and symbols without switching keyboard languages: use your computer’s character picker for a one-off character, or learn a shortcut for accents you type often. The steps depend on your operating system and, in some cases, the app you’re typing in.
Windows: Use the symbols panel or Character Map
Open the symbols panel
While typing, press Windows key + period (.) to open the symbols panel. Microsoft says it includes punctuation, accented keys, and other symbols. Select a character to insert it where your cursor is.
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Browse and copy with Character Map
For a broader visual list, search Windows for Character Map. It lets you view characters available in installed fonts, select one, and copy it for pasting into another application. The available characters can vary by font.
Microsoft documents these Windows tools and keyboard options in its Windows keyboard tips and tricks and instructions for inserting ASCII or Unicode characters.
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Windows: Use a code when you know the character
Classic Alt codes need a numeric keypad
To use a classic Alt code, hold Alt and enter the code on the numeric keypad. Microsoft’s instructions describe four-digit codes entered with that keypad; the number row above the letters is not a substitute for this method.
Convert a Unicode value in Word
In Word and supported Microsoft applications, type a Unicode hexadecimal value and press Alt+X to convert it to the corresponding character. This is application-specific, not a shortcut that works in every Windows text field. Microsoft also documents Insert > Symbol in Word as an alternative, including for people without a separate numeric keypad. See Microsoft’s Word instructions for inserting ASCII or Unicode character codes.
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If you type accents frequently and want a selector, Microsoft’s optional PowerToys utility includes Quick Accent. It is an additional tool, not a requirement for using Windows’ built-in methods. Details are in Microsoft Learn’s Quick Accent documentation.
Mac: Use the accent menu, dead keys, or Character Viewer
Hold a letter for its accent menu
Press and hold a supported letter key, such as a, to display an accent menu. Choose the version you need from the menu. Apple notes that the menu is available for supported letters.
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Use an Option dead-key sequence
A dead key enters an accent first; the next keystroke supplies the base letter. For example, with the ABC layout, Apple’s sequence for ã is Option+N, then A.
Pick a symbol or add ABC – Extended
Character Viewer provides another built-in way to find and insert characters with accent marks and other symbols. If you regularly type Latin-script text in multiple languages, Apple suggests adding ABC – Extended as an input source. This gives you another input method to select when needed; it is not the same as changing keyboard language for every accented character. Apple explains these options in Enter characters with accent marks on Mac.
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Enter a Unicode value with Unicode Hex Input
For a known Unicode value, add Unicode Hex Input under Input Sources, select it, hold Option, and type the hexadecimal code. This input source accepts only four hexadecimal digits, so it cannot directly enter code points above U+FFFF. The Unicode Consortium describes the setup and limit in its FAQ on fonts and keyboards.
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ChromeOS: Hold a letter or use a listed key sequence
Choose from the accent menu
Hold the key for the base letter to open its accent menu. Use Tab or the right arrow to move into the menu, then the arrow keys to select a character. Press Enter, Space, continue typing, or press the displayed number key to insert the choice. Google cautions that accents are not available for every character.
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Use a modifier-key sequence
Google’s documented examples include AltGr+e for é, AltGr+n for ñ, and AltGr+, for ç. Google identifies the right Alt key as AltGr and also lists sequences such as Alt+e followed by the target letter. These examples depend on the physical keyboard and input settings described on Google’s Choose keyboard language and special characters page.
Turn off the accent menu if needed
If the accent menu is unwanted or unavailable for your setup, Google documents a control under Keyboard > Change input settings to turn accents and special characters off for the physical keyboard.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Character or symbol picker | Rare characters, visual selection, or when you do not know a code | You must open a panel and select the character |
| Learned shortcut or dead key | Accents you type often | Sequences vary by operating system and input source |
| Windows Alt code | Known characters when a numeric keypad is available | Requires a keypad and code; it is not the same as Unicode conversion |
| Unicode conversion in an application | A known Unicode value in a supported app such as Word | Does not work in every application |
| macOS Unicode Hex Input | Entering a known code point on a Mac | Requires adding and selecting the input source, and accepts only four hex digits |
For an occasional accent or symbol, start with the built-in picker for your device. If you use the same few accented letters repeatedly, learn the shortcut supported by your operating system and input source; avoid assuming a code or key combination will behave the same in every app.
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