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How to insert a special character using either the “ALT” key or Character Codes methods.

Added by Rick Trader May 30, 2013

Have you ever seen a special character in a document and wondered how did the author do that? The secret is to use either the “ALT” key or typing the Character Code and immediately pressing ALT-X.

If using the “ALT” key method you must use your computer’s numeric keypad. The number keys across the top of the keyboard will not work. Use the following step to insert special characters:

Make certain the Num Lock key is activated.
Depress the “ALT” key.
While pressing the “ALT” key type the number for the below tables for the desired character.
Release the “ALT” key

If using the Character Code method, use the following step to insert the special character, use the following steps:

Type in the Character Code from the tables below.
Press ALT-X.

The tables below are only a scratch on the surface for all the characters that are available on the keyboard. Have fun and explore.

Shapes
Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code	Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code
☺	1	263A	‼	19	203C
☻	2	263B	¶	20	00B6
♥	3	2665	▬	22	25AC
♦	4	2666	↨	23
♣	5	2663	↑	24	2191
♠	6	2660	↓	25	2193
♂	11	2642	→	26	2192
♀	12	2640	←	27	2190
♪	13	266A	↔	29	2194
♫	14	266B	▲	30	25B2
☼	15	263C	▼	31	25BC
►	16	25BA	«	174	00AB
◄	17	25C4	»	175	00BB
↕	18	2195	°	248	00B0

Legal
Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code	Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code
§	21	00A7	®	0174	00AE
†	0134	2020	℅	8453	2105
‡	0135	2021	№	8470	2116
™	0153	2122	Ω	8486	2126
©	0169	00A9

Math
Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code	Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code
π		03C0	⅓	8531	2153
½	0171	00BD	⅔	8532	2154
¼	0172	00BC	⅛	8539	215B
±	0177	00B1	⅜	8540	215C
¾	0190	00BE	⅝	8541	215D
∞	236	221E	⅞	8542	215E
≡	240	2261	√	251	221A
≥	242	2265	∆	8710	2206
≤	243	2264	∑	8721	2211
≈	247	2248	≠	8800	2260

Money
Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code	Symbol	Alt+Code	Character Code
€	0128	20AC	₣	8355	20A3
¢	155	00A2	₤	8356	20A4
£	156	00A3	₧	8359	20A7
¥	157	00A4

Until next time, ride safe!

Rick Trader
Windows Server Instructor – Interface Technical Training
Phoenix, AZ

How to insert a special character using either the “ALT” key or Character Codes methods.