- Use the key Alt and the numeric keypad for typing special characters.
- Check out the list of Alt codes to insert math, currency, and other symbols.
- If you don't have a numeric keypad, use the character map or the on-screen keyboard.
- press Windows +. to access the emoji panel in Windows.
If you've ever wanted to type a special symbol and didn't know how, you've come to the right place. Windows offers multiple ways to insert special characters using key combinations, mainly through the key Alt and the numeric keypad.
In this article, we will explain to you step by step how to write all kinds of s symbols and special characters on your computer, including accents, umlauts, emojis, mathematical signs, currency symbols and many others. We will also teach you how to use the Windows character map and other alternative tools.
How to type special characters with the Alt key?
The easiest way to type special characters in Windows is by using the key Alt along with a combination of numbers on the numeric keypad. This method allows access to a wide variety of s symbols and characters.
Steps to type a special character with the Alt key:
- Hold down the key Alt.
- Enter the code for the desired symbol using the numeric keypad.
- Release the key Alt and the symbol will appear automatically.
For example, if you want to insert the s degree symbol (°), you just have to hold down the key Alt y escribir 0176 on the numeric keypad.
List of Alt codes for most used special characters
Below we leave you a list with some of the Most useful Alt codes that you can use in Windows:
Mathematical Symbols
- ± (More or less): Alt + 241
- √ (Square root): Alt + 251
- π (Pi): Alt + 227
- ∞ (Infinity): Alt + 236
Monetary symbols
- € (Euro): Alt + 0128
- $ (Dollar): Alt + 36
- £ (Pound Sterling): Alt + 156
- ¥ (Yen): Alt + 190
Punctuation marks and other characters
- © (Copyright): Alt + 0169
- ® (Registered): Alt + 0174
- ™ (Trademark): Alt + 0153
- (Reverse interrogation): Alt + 168
How to type special characters without the numeric keypad
If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, you can activate the on-screen keyboard Windows or use the character map:
Activate the on-screen keyboard:
- Press Windows+Ctrl+O to open the on-screen keyboard.
- Use the virtual keyboard to type Alt codes.
Use the character map:
- Press Windows + R and writes charmap.
- Select the desired symbol and copy it.
- Paste it into the document you need.
How to type emojis in Windows
Windows also allows you to write emojis easily. To open the emoji panel, just press the key combination Windows +. (point).
From this panel you can select any emoji and it will be inserted into the text automatically.
Typing special characters, symbols and emojis in Windows is easier than it seems. With the methods we have explained, you can add any symbol to your texts quickly and without having to copy and paste from the internet. The key Alt is a powerful tool that, together with the numeric keypad, allows you to access a large number of useful characters. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, you can use alternatives such as the character map or the on-screen keyboard.
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