Symbols and Accents: How to Make Them.

Whether you have a Mac or a Windows PC, you might think you know all your computer’s secrets. After all, you use it daily, and modern technology is intuitive enough that even kids can figure it out. But some things take a bit of practice before they come naturally to your fingertips—like all of those keyboard shortcuts you’ve learned. Still, there are many more! Consider familiarizing yourself with these shortcut symbols on your keyboard if you use symbols often.

Each keyboard shortcut symbol is written as alt + X, where X is the variable number(s). To use the shortcut, turn on NumLock / Fn and make sure your cursor is flashing where you want the symbol to go. Press and hold the alt key, and then press numbers. The symbol will appear when you release the alt key. You don’t need to press the + key. And that’s it! Remember that if you’re on a laptop and don’t have the NumLock function, you’ll substitute “alt” for “Fn.”

Each keyboard symbol shortcut is written as opt + X (where X is the variable). To use the shortcut, ensure the cursor flashes where you want the symbol to go. Press and hold the opt key, then press the X key, which will either be a letter, number, or symbol. As above, you don’t need to press the + key.