How to Make Bubbles Using the Number Pad & Alt

Hold down the Alt key when using Alt codes.

Create shapes on your keyboard by using a series of shortcuts known as Alt codes. These codes combine specific numbers with the Alt key on a PC to create items such as punctuation marks, bullet points, arrows and even circles that look like bubbles. Two types of bubbles are created with Alt codes and can be copied and pasted into documents online or on your word processor. There are a couple of methods of plugging in these codes, depending on if you have a separate number pad.

Instructions

1. Turn on your "Number Lock" function. On a computer with a number pad, just press the "Number Lock," or "Num Lock," option located on the upper right-hand corner of the keyboard. If you do not have a separate number pad, like most laptops, hold down the "Fn" key, located in the bottom left-hand corner, and press "Num Lock" on the right-hand side of your keyboard. Your "Number Lock" will turn on the secondary command numbers that are integrated with some of the primary letter and number keys on the right-hand side of your keyboard.

2. Hold down "Alt." Type the No. "9" using your number pad. Release the "Alt" key. This will give you a large circle shape that may represent a bubble. If you are using a keyboard without a separate number pad, hold down "Alt" and look for the "9" key as a secondary command on one of your letter or number keys. Release the "Alt" key so that a larger circle shape appears.

3. Hold down "Alt." Type the number "248" using your number pad or integrated number keys. Release the "Alt" key. This will give you a smaller circle shape that may represent a bubble.

4. Turn off your "Number Lock" key option if you have a laptop by following the same instructions you went through to turn it on.

5. Highlight the bubble shapes with your mouse. Hold "Ctrl" and press the letter "C" to copy the shapes. Paste the shapes by holding "Ctrl" and pressing the letter "V."

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use the numbers that run along the top of your keyboard. They won't work.

References

• The World of Stuff: Ultimate Cool Characters: Shapes and Shading
• The World of Stuff: Ultimate Cool Characters: Miscellaneous