How to use accent marks on a PC

Ever wonder how to use accent marks or other common Spanish language characters on your PC? There are several ways. This tutorial will explain how to use alt key combinations.

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Place the cursor

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Place the cursor where you want the symbol

Using the alt keys

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Locate an alt key on the keyboard. There are two.

Number lock

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Make sure the number lock is on

Character Code

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á alt + 0225 Á alt + 0193 ¡ alt + 0161é alt + 0233 É alt + 0201 ¿ alt + 0191

í alt + 0237 Í alt + 0205 ü alt + 0252ó alt + 0243 Ó alt + 0211 Ü alt + 0220ú alt + 0250 Ú alt + 0218ñ alt + 0241 Ñ alt + 0209

Find the four digit number for the character you want

Alt key and number

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Holding the alt key, type the four digit number for the character you want. You must use the number pad!

Character Appears

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When you release the alt key the character will appear

Variation if using a laptop

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Make sure the number lock is on

Laptop number pad

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With the number lock on, use the number padOn this laptop the numbers are light blue

Conclusion

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These key combinations will work in any program on a PC running Windows.

There are other ways.

If you will be typing in Spanish a lot, look into changing the keyboard settings. Click here for more explanation

For occasional use in Microsoft Office try the Insert, symbol method on the toolbar.

Word has a short cut for accents. Ctrl + ‘ then the letter

Credits

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Windows Alt Key Codes - Penn State Universityhttp://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html

Laptop number pad imagehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/declanjewell/517966692/

Other images from personal collection