The shortcut for an accented letter depends on your device. Windows, Mac, Chromebook and phones all do it differently. Choose your device and the character you need, and the generator shows the exact keys to press, so you can type it directly from then on.
How to use the shortcut generator
- Choose your device or operating system from the [device menu].
- Choose the character you want to type.
- Follow the steps shown. Watch whether keys are pressed together (held at the same time) or in sequence (press, release, then the next key).
- Try the shortcut once in any text field to confirm it works on your setup.
Common problems and limitations
Alt codes don’t work on my laptop. Windows Alt codes need the numbers on a numeric keypad, not the row across the top of the keyboard. Many laptops don’t have a numeric keypad. On Windows 10 and 11, try the symbol panel instead (Windows key + period, then the Ω tab).
The Mac shortcut gives me the wrong character or nothing at all. Release Option before pressing the second key. Also check that your input source is set to U.S. or ABC in System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources, because other layouts move these shortcuts.
The shortcut works in one app but not another. Some programs have their own shortcuts. Microsoft Word, for example, has accent shortcuts that only work inside Word, and some apps take over certain key combinations for other commands.
Uppercase versions use different steps. For example, É is Alt + 0201 on Windows, and on Mac you hold Shift on the final key. Choose the capital letter in the generator if you need it.
Related guides
- Alt Codes Not Working
- Keyboard Not Typing Accents
- How to Type é on Mac and Windows
- How to Type Special Characters on Windows
