How to type symbols and characters on Windows and macOS

Making the most of your keyboard involves more than just typing in letters and numbers. A vast array of symbols, accents, and special characters also lie hidden within, helping enhance your communication, whether you’re working on a Windows laptop or desktop or a Mac.

And if you’re looking for a guide on how to use them, you came to the right place. Read on.

How to type symbols on Windows laptops and desktops

Windows provides several methods for typing symbols and characters. One of the most common methods is using the Alt key codes.

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To use this method, hold down the Alt key and type in a specific numerical code on your numeric keypad. For example, typing Alt + 0176 will produce the degree symbol (°).

Another way to access symbols in Windows is by using the Character Map. This tool allows you to select and copy symbols directly to your clipboard. To open it, search for ‘Character Map’ in the Start menu, select your desired symbol, and copy it into your document.

Windows 10 and 11 also offer an Emoji & Symbols panel, which can be accessed by pressing the Windows key and period key. This panel includes a wide range of symbols, characters, and emojis.

Typing symbols on MacBooks and iMacs

On your MacBook or iMac, you can type in symbols and special characters using the Option key. For example, pressing ‘Option + 8’ will create a bullet point symbol, and Option + Shift + 2 will produce the euro symbol (€).

macOS also has a ‘Character Viewer,’ which can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Edit’ menu in most applications and selecting ‘Emoji & Symbols.’ Here, you can browse through various categories to find the symbol or character you need and insert it into your text with a click.

Another useful feature is the Keyboard Viewer, which displays an on-screen keyboard showing the symbols and characters you can type by pressing different key combinations. To enable it, go to System Preferences > Keyboard and check the option to show the keyboard and emoji viewers in the menu bar.

Additional tips and tricks

In addition to the methods mentioned above, there are other tricks you can employ. In Microsoft Word and Google Docs, you can insert special characters through their respective menus.

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Additionally, if you frequently use symbols from a particular language, you can change your keyboard layout in your operating system’s settings. This allows you to access those symbols directly from your keyboard without relying on additional tools.

Whether you are using Windows or macOS, typing symbols and special characters is a straightforward process with the right tools and shortcuts, but one that can make conversations infinitely more engaging. With these tips, you can easily add the perfect, personalised touch to your documents, emails, and presentations.