How to Type an Umlaut in Microsoft Word

First you need to understand what an umlaut is. An umlaut is an accent mark used in the German language to change or emphasize how a specific word needs to be spoken or read. The accent mark itself is denoted by a horizontal colon symbol. It is placed above a vowel in order to change the sound to properly address the past, present or future tense of a verb. In Microsoft Word, you have the ability to insert an umlaut, but you don't have to change your keyboard to European standards to do it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open up Microsoft Word.

2. Use the keystrokes "Ctrl+Shift+:" to denote that you want an umlaut, and then press the vowel. This will place a lower-case umlauted vowel letter like ä, ë, ï, ö or ü.

3. Use the keystrokes "Ctrl+Shift+:", but hold down the "Shift" key to denote the umlaut in a capital letter. This will place a capital vowel like Ä, Ë, Ï, -- or Ü.

Tips & Warnings

• Use spell check to make sure you have written what you needed correctly. Unfortunately, when writing in German Microsoft Word will not catch if the umlauts are used in a grammatically correct nature.

Resources

• Information on the Umlaut