How do you add special characters ?

[EdCooper]

I'm editing photos and putting text on them. They are for Spanish speakers, so I'd like to be able to put things like the little squiggle mark over an 'n.' I can do this when using Word, but I haven't a clue as to how to do it in Elements 6.

[dj_paige]

In Windows, there is the Character Map application which lets you choose the character you want visually and then paste it into any other program

On my computer, I find it at:
Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Character Map

[JulieM]

Alternatively, on a Windows system, you should be able to use the alt key with codes on this chart (http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/ascii.htm). (Scroll down to the second table and get the number from the 'dec' column). So, for the lower case n with the 'squiggly' accent, hold down alt and type 164. For upper case, hold down alt and type 165. You must use the numeric keyboard rather than the numbers above the alpha keys...

[dj_paige]

Alternatively, on a Windows system, you should be able to use the alt key with codes on this chart (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=373888). So, for the lower case n with the 'squiggly' accent, hold down alt and type 164. For upper case, hold down alt and type 165. You must use the numeric keyboard rather than the numbers above the alpha keys...

Your link is incorrect.

And if you are going to try this method, Num Lock has to be turned on

[JulieM]

Your link is incorrect.

And if you are going to try this method, Num Lock has to be turned on

Thank you for catching that. Link is corrected now...

[emkayess65]

These are all the codes you should need for Spanish.
Alt + numbers on the keypad and NumLock on

Alt+0209 = Ñ and Alt+0241 = ñ
Alt+0199 = Ç and Alt+0231 = ç
Alt+0161 = ¡ and Alt+0191 = ¿
Alt+0211 = Ó and Alt+0243 = ó
Alt+0193 = Á and Alt+0225 = á
Alt+0201 = É and Alt+0233 = é

mks

[JulieM]

These are all the codes you should need for Spanish.
Alt + numbers on the keypad and NumLock on

Alt+0209 = Ñ and Alt+0241 = ñ
Alt+0199 = Ç and Alt+0231 = ç
Alt+0161 = ¡ and Alt+0191 = ¿
Alt+0211 = Ó and Alt+0243 = ó
Alt+0193 = Á and Alt+0225 = á
Alt+0201 = É and Alt+0233 = é

mks

We use accents a lot here for French and use the three-digit codes I linked to. Now I'm curious why Windows would have a set of four-digit codes as well????

[photoshopsusieq]

Alt+0193 = Á and Alt+0225 = á
Alt+0201 = É and Alt+0233 = é
Alt+0205 = Í and Alt+0237 = í
Alt+0209 = Ñ and Alt+0241 = ñ
Alt+0211 = Ó and Alt+0243 = ó
Alt+0218 = Ú and Alt+0250 = ú
Alt+0161 = ¡ and Alt+0191 = ¿

I use the spanish alphabet all the time. Here is the set with the accented I and U. HTH!

[emkayess65]

Hi Susan,
thanks for giving the complete codes.
I goofed.

Julie,
I didn't know the 3 number codes still worked.
It was from the beginning of the Era - 80's-90's:D
The 4 number code is what you get in the Character map that is
part of MS Windows (XP) now.

[JulieM]

Julie,
I didn't know the 3 number codes still worked.
It was from the beginning of the Era - 80's-90's:D
The 4 number code is what you get in the Character map that is
part of MS Windows (XP) now.

Hmmm. Odd. I'm using Windows XP. I wonder if the 3-digit version is still used with computers for the Canadian market for some reason. Certainly both the 3 and 4 digit versions work on mine...

[emkayess65]

Just in case, if you should happen to be using a laptop...
That's a different story.
Since a laptop does not have a key pad...
Apparentlly the method varies by manufacturer or OS.

Some laptop keys have numbers printed on the sides/front of the keys.
You have to use a function key to activate those numbers.
The codes you use are the same.

Someone else who is familiar with laptops will have to provide the details.

mks

Julie,
maybe the 3 number code works on my XP too. Can't check because I don't have the list anymore. If you use the codes frequently enough it is easy to remember them.
So people probably would have been very unhappy if they had to relearn new codes.
Edit: 3 numbers works on my XP too.
mks

[JulieM]

On my laptop, I invoke the special character set by holding the blue Fn key then entering the numbers via number keys which are laid out like a numeric keypad but superimposed on the alpha keys. I think it's the letters u,i,o,j,k,l,m, and comma and period. In any case they are signified in blue.

I never noticed this until my kids who are in French immersion began using the laptop for schoolwork(!)

[Karin Sue]

Ed, if you have the phrase you want already in Word you should be able to just copy and paste into Elements and keep the special characters. You should be using the same font in both programs.