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ALT Key

ALT key codes are used to toggle symbols that are used in documents. To use the codes you MUST use the numeric keypad. On a laptop you must turn the numeric keypad on. In any windows computer press and hold the ALT key and then the number.

Letters with Accents

this list is organized by Accent type. To determine the appropriate numeric code, match the accent with the vowel. Search for individual 'By Language' pages to see how to handle other accents.

Example: To input the acute a á(0225), hold down the ALT key, type 0225 on the numeric keypad, then release the ALT key.

If you are having problems inputting these codes, please review the instructions for using the codes at the bottom of this Web page.

Additional Codes

Search for the Specific Language Pages for additional codes for accented characters. Note that codes may only work in Microsoft Office.

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Other Foreign Characters

These include special punctuation and unique consonant and vowel symbols.

Additional Codes

Search for Specific Language Page for additional codes for additional foreign language characters. Note that codes may only work in Microsoft Office.

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Currency Symbols

Math Symbols

Fractions

These codes produce fractions which are spaced on one line.

Superscript and Subscript

Check these references for other methods to implement superscript/subscript and extra fractions

• Superscript/Subscript in Microsoft Word
• Superscript/Subscript in HTML and CSS

Additional Math Codes

Search for the Unicode Math Chart for additional codes for Math symbols. Note that they only work in Microsoft Office and that you should use the non-Hex code. For instance an entry ∛ for the cube root symbol (∛) would corrspond to ALT+8731 in Word.

other Punctuation

These incude copyright symbols and special section marks.

Using the Codes

Windows assigns a numeric code to different accented letters, other foreign characters and special Mathematical symbols. For instance the code for lower case á is 0225, and the code for capital Á is 0193. The ALT key input is used to manually insert these letters and symbols by calling the numeric code assigned to them.

To use the codes:

1. Place your cursor in the location where you wish to insert a special character.
2. Activate the numeric key pad on the right of the keyboard by pressing Num Lock (upper right of keyboard). The Num Lock light on the keyboard will indicate that the numeric key pad is on.

NOTE: You must use the numeric key pad; if you use the number keys on the top of the keyboard, the characters will not appear. If you are on a laptop or computer without a separate numeric keypad one of the other methods is recommended.

1. While pressing down the ALT key, type the four-digit code on the numeric key pad at the right edge of the keyboard. The codes are "case sensitive." For instance, the code for lower-case á is ALT+0225, but capital Á is ALT+0193.

NOTE: If you have the International keyboard activated you will only be able to input codes with the ALT key on the left side of the keyboard.

1. Release the ALT key. The character will appear when the ALT key is released.

NOTE: You must include the initial zero in the code. For example to insert á (0225) you must type ALT+0225, NOT ALT+225.

• Keyboard Review
• Function Keys
• Blue Function Keys
• Escape Key Sequences
• Alt Key Sequencess

Insert Key

The Insert (INS) key is also a toggle Key. When toggled on, it is a Type-Over Key, which means that anything typed will TYPE OVER any other text. To insert text without erasing, make sure the INS key is off.

Function Keys

Some of the functions keys that are not so obvious are the Function Keys F1 to F12. These are standardized "Hotbuttons" that pretty well do the same things on every computer IF they all have the same operating system. If not, then the OS has Function Keys set up to the standards that the writers of the operating system set. But these can be changed.

Function Keys may perform different tasks depending on the software. It is also possible to re "map" different regular keys to do what YOU want them to do. By pressing CTRL + the key, or ALT + the key, or "Command Key" + a key different actions can happen. The usual functions, like saving a file, opening a file etc are generally found in the Function Keys F1 - F12, but you may want a certain key combination to pop open something specific or do a spectific task inside a program. Music, graphics, picture or media software all enable different functions to be programmed to the "Hot" keys. See the "Help" file for the program you are using about how to re-program "Hot" keys.

Blue Function Keys

When holding down the blue Fn button and pressing another button with Blue letters or icons, different actions to the Operating System are toggled on or off. In particular use during presentations is the blue Fn button plus the screen button to change the display from the LCD to Both to VGA or back to LCD again. When plugging the computer into a projector it is important to understand that the video signal defaults to the local machine and has to be told to show on the external device that is plugged into it. That is what the blue Fn button (or "Mirror" on a Mac) is for. Without using the toggle, nothing will display on the other screen.

Other blue Fn buttons control the sound, backlight brighness, contrast, numeric keypad or other laptop / notebook functions. Blue Fn keys also serve as switches to turn the Wireless card on or off. If there is trouble doing something on a laptop, the Blue Fn keys are the first place to look.

Escape Key

The Escape key on the top left is used for "Exit" on menus. It can de-select something that was selected by mistake and can be used in conjunction with other keys to do various tasks. Another purpose of the Escape Key is to change the code used in lettering to produce symbols,define functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reassign keys. These are called "Escape Sequences" and are defined by standards and rules so that all of them do the same things throughout the world.

Below is a list of Escape Sequences and how they are used:

(ANSI Escape Sequence Codes)

These sequences define functions that change display graphics, control cursor movement, and reassign keys.

ANSI escape sequence is a sequence of ASCII characters, the first two of which are the ASCII "Escape" character 27 (1Bh) and the left-bracket character " [ " (5Bh). The character or characters following the escape and left-bracket characters specify an alphanumeric code that controls a keyboard or display function.

ANSI escape sequences distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.

Information is also available on ansi-escape-sequences-vt-100.php. Search for VT100 / VT52 ANSI escape sequences.

IMPORTANT: Some of the values in the following table are not valid for all computers. Check your computer's documentation for values that are different.