How to Make an Accented "A" on a Mac

An accented "a" can be typed using a Mac keyboard shortcut.

You can type an "a" with an accent mark over it on a Mac computer using a basic keyboard shortcut. The shortcut causes the next letter you type to be marked with an accent. This is handy for typing in foreign languages, such as Spanish or French, where the accent mark is common.

Instructions

Grave Accent Mark

1. Click in the text document where you want to type the accented "a."

2. Press the Mac "Option" key on your keyboard. Press the accent mark key in the top left corner of the keyboard, right below the "Esc" key, at the same time.

3. Release the "Option" and accent mark keys.

4. Press the letter "a" on the keyboard to produce an "a" with a grave accent mark.

Acute Accent Mark

1. Hold down the "Option" key on the Mac keyboard. Press the "e" key at the same time.

2. Release both keys.

3. Press the "a" key to type an "a" with an acute accent mark.

References

• Penn State University: Accent Codes for the Macintosh
• Study Spanish: Typing Spanish Accents