How to Create Keyboard Special Characters in Windows
Windows has many alt-key shortcuts programmed into it you can use to type symbols and accented letters, no matter the application you’re using. There are two ways you can do it; for the first, you’ll need a keyboard with a full number pad on it, while for the second method, you’ll use the Windows character map.
Use the Number Pad to Create Keyboard Symbols
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 ™. Here’s a quick list of some of the more common accented letters and symbols. For more, refer to the ANSI character set page. To turn on the Character Map:
How to Create Special Characters in macOS
There are three different ways to type symbols or accented letters in macOS. You can use the Option key, long press letters on the keyboard, or use the Character Viewer.
Create Special Characters on Mac With the Option Key
This method uses the Keyboard Viewer, available from macOS Maverick and higher.
Create Mac Keyboard Symbols using the Long Press Method
Another way to create special characters on a Mac is to press and hold letters on the keyboard to bring up a selection of the more popular accented letters and symbols. This method works in most cases where there is a text box or text editor, but not all word processors. To type an accented letter, press Option+one of the orange letters, then the letter. E.g. Option + C, then C inserts ç. To use the long press method, press and hold the desired letter, then press the appropriate number to get the desired symbol or accented letter. For example, press and hold the letter E, then tap 3 to insert ê.
Access Special Symbols Or Smileys With the Character Viewer
Like the Character Map in Windows. macOS has a Character Viewer, which is mainly used for emojis, but can also be used for accented letters and other special characters. To turn on the Character Viewer:
Insert Letter Accents on Mac
The Character Viewer is where you go to insert character accents on letters, too. You’ll need to make a few tweaks to find the letters you want, but once you’ve done it a time or two, it will be easier.
How to Create Special Characters on Mobile Devices
It’s a little easier to type symbols and accented letters on mobile devices, as most operating systems have them built in to the keyboards by default.
On Android and iOS Devices
Just tap and hold any letter on your keyboard and a pop-up window appears with all the related symbols or accented letters you can choose from. Then, slide your finger over to the desired character and release.
On International Keyboards on Mobile Devices
Most mobile devices today let you install a variety of languages on your device, which is used initially for display purposes. But it’s also useful for enabling different language keyboards when doing any text entry on your device. To install an international (or third-party) keyboard on your Android (Pie 9.0):
How to Use Third-Party Keyboards to Type Special Characters
Once you’ve installed a third-party keyboard on your mobile device, then you can use it to type special characters and accents.
Using Third-Party Mobile Keyboards
Another way to type symbols and accented letters on your mobile device is to use a third-party keyboard. The steps users had to use in the past when operating systems made it difficult to support multiple languages in text without affecting the device’s display language. Here are a few mobile keyboards that are highly rated in their respective app stores:
Gboard (Android) and Gboard (iOS) SwiftKey (Android) Fleksy (Android) and Fleksy (iOS) TouchPal (Android only) Multiling O (Android only) Phraseboard, Symbols, and UniKeyboard (iOS only)
Bonus Methods for Microsoft Office and Google Docs
You can also use your keyboard to type special characters and accented letters in Microsoft Office on both Windows and macOS. Or using this slightly different procedure for Google Docs:
