How to Type French Accent Marks in Microsoft Word

Use the "CTRL" key on your keyboard to insert French accent marks.

French is a Latin-based language, and it uses the same keyboard layout as English in Microsoft Word. Some French words require accent marks like the acute, grave and cedilla, and you have to press certain key combinations to place those marks in your text. The keyboard shortcuts for accent marks are the same in Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Type the acute accent, a diagonal slash angled up and to the right that appears above the letter, by holding down the "CRTL" key while you type the apostrophe key. Let go of those keys, and then type the letter on which you want to place the acute accent.

2. Type the grave accent, a diagonal slash that angles above and to the left of the letter, using the "CRTL" and grave keys. On most keyboards, the grave key is to the left of the numeral "1" key near the top of the keyboard. Hold down the "CTRL" key and press the grave accent key. Release those keys, then type the letter you want to place an accent on.

3. Type the circumflex accent, which appears above the numeral "6" key, by holding down the "CTRL" and "SHIFT" keys while you press the "6" key. Let go of those keys and strike the letter that you want to take the accent:

4. Type the cedilla, the letter "C" with a squiggle beneath it, by holding down the "CTRL" key while you strike the comma key. Release those keys and type a "c." Press "SHIFT" and "C" for an uppercase cedilla.

5. Type the dieresis, two dots that appear above a letter, by holding down the "CTRL" and "SHIFT" keys while pressing the colon key. Let go of those keys and type the letter you want to have the dieresis over.

References

• Office.com: Keyboard Shortcuts for International Characters