How to Make Accents on a Laptop

The light-blue numbers represent the numeric keypad used to make accent marks.

Some languages use accent marks over letters to show that the letter has a different pronunciation. On standard keyboards, you can create accent marks by entering specific combinations on the numeric keypads. Many laptops omit the stand-alone numeric keypad to save space, but there are still several ways you can create accent marks.

Instructions

Using the Function Keys

1. Enable the Number Lock on the keyboard. This varies by laptop and may require pressing a key marked "NumLock" or pressing a Function key.

2. Press and hold "Alt" and the "Function" (or "Fn") key on your laptop's keyboard.

3. Enter the numeric code (link in Resources) for the accented character you want to create, using the function-enabled numeric keypad on your laptop. Look at your keypad and note which letters also have numbers attached to them, usually in a light blue color. Those light-blue numbers represent the numeric keypad on your laptop.

4. Release the Alt and Function keys. The accented letter will appear.

Using the Character Map

1. Click "Start" and select "All Programs."

2. Click "Accessories" and select "System Tools."

3. Double-click "Character Map."

4. Double-click the accented character you want to use in the Character Map window to select it.

5. Click "Copy" to copy the character to your clipboard. Press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the accented character into your document.

References

• GCC Spanish: Making Accent Marks on a Computer

Resources

• Keyboard Help: International Accent Marks and Diacriticals