How to Get Accents on Your Computer

The code for each character is listed below. Strike each bracketed group together. For example, the code for the character é is to strike OPTION and e at the same time, and then to strike e again. You will then see é appear on the screen. (Check "Key Caps" to determine if the font you are using has these characters.)

There are several ways to get accents on your PC:

Macros(i.e. you set up your own command on your keyboard to get accents): Each program will have a different means of setting up macros, so you must read your manual or ask someone who is familiar with your software.

ASCII codes: The ASCII codes tell your IBM-compatible computer which letter you want to appear. Each character, including those with diacritical marks, has an ASCII code. The ones that will interest you are three or four digit codes that you will enter while you hold down the ALT key. For example, the code for the character é is 130. So, you will hold down the key marked ALT. While still holding this key down you will type 130 (make sure that numbers lock is on and use the keypad to your right, not the number keys above the letters). You will then see é appear on your screen. ASCII codes work in both MSWord and WordPerfect.

ASCII codes: ALT +

The code for each character is listed below. Strike each bracketed group together. For example, the code for the character è is to strike CTRL and ` at the same time, and then to strike the letter. You will then see è appear on the screen.

WordPerfect:

Accent insertion. WordPerfect allows you to insert the character you want into your text. to use this feature, place the cursor where you want the character to appear. Press CTRL + W. This opens up the character selection. Choose the MULTINATIONAL character set. Scroll through and click on the character you want (WordPerfect places a little box around it). Choose INSERT and the character will appear on your screen. (By choosing INSERT, and not INSERT AND CLOSE, the character set box will remain open for your easy access.)

To get French accents in Windows 98 or Windows Me:

Set your keyboard for “English (United States) International” by going to Settings >Control Panel >Keyboard >Properties. From menu that appears click on “English (United States)” to highlight, then click on the down arrow that appears on the right of the menu. This gives you a choice of keyboard layouts. Choose “English (United States) International.” Click all the relevant OK’s and restart the computer.

Then the accents for French can easily be produced:

Grave: type ` (dead key) and then the vowel to get àèìòù
Circumflex: type SHIFT + ^ (dead key) and then the vowel to get âêîôû
Acute e: type right ALT + e to get ; type right ALT + SHIFT + e to get É
Cedilla: type right ALT + , (comma) to get ç; type right ALT + SHIFT + , to get Ç