Mobile and Computer Letter with Symbol Tricks for common users

The standard computer keyboard has plenty of options for special symbols, including mathematical symbols, phonetic characters and foreign language letters. However, accessing your computer's vast symbol library isn't as obvious as typing basic alphabetic characters. To make symbols with your keyboard, you need to use the "Character Map" or enter "Alt Codes."

English: IBM Model M keyboard, Part no. 1391401 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: IBM Model M keyboard, Part no. 1391401 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Instructions

1. Click "Start," "All Programs," "Accessories," "System Tools."

2. Click "Character Map." A new window opens, showing the full range of symbols supported on your PC.

3. Click the symbol you want to insert. Click "Select," "Copy." You can paste this symbol into any program by holding "Ctrl + V."

4. Take note of the "Alt Code" in the right corner if you regularly use this symbol. Each unique symbol has an "Alt Code." When you press and hold the "Alt" key, type the code into your computer's numeric keypad. The symbol appears on screen.

The fonts included with your computer include far more symbols and letters than your keyboard can accommodate. If you have ever needed to use symbols such as those for foreign currencies, arrows or dingbats, you may have searched for websites containing those symbols and copied them into your documents. However, Windows offers methods you can use to access all the characters included with the system fonts. With a bit of creativity, you can even use those characters in some interesting new ways.

Character Map

The Windows Character Map application displays all the letters and symbols included with a font on a grid. Launch the Character Map from the "System Tools" Start menu folder and select a font from the drop-down menu at the top of the window. The grid in the main area of the window displays all that font's letters and symbols. Copy a symbol to the clipboard by double-clicking on it. Click the window in which you want to paste the symbol and then press "Ctrl-V" to paste it.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Many common symbols have keyboard shortcuts with which they are associated. You can execute a keyboard shortcut by holding the "Alt" key while typing a code on the numerical keypad and then releasing the "Alt" key to create the symbol. For example, the code "0128" creates the Euro currency symbol and "0169" creates the copyright symbol. Some laptop keyboards do not have numerical keypads. If your computer only has number keys on the top row, look for keys with blue numerals near the middle of the keyboard. You can generally activate these keys by holding the "Fn" key.

Emoticons

It is difficult to convey sarcasm or let a person know that you are joking when your communication is text based. Emoticons -- strings of symbols that represent smiley faces and other items -- convey emotion online. The most common emoticon is the smiley face, created with a colon and parenthesis :). Other common emoticons include the winking smiley ;) , the rose @>-->--- and the kiss :-*.

ASCII Art

You can use the symbols on your keyboard to create art in a text editor using symbols such as "|," "/" and "\" to draw lines. Some people have adapted this technique to create images that appear almost photo-realistic at a distance. You can also use online tools to convert your images to ASCII art and share the results via email or on Web forums.

Tips & Warnings

"Alt Codes" are convenient for repeated symbol use, but they work only on computers with a numeric keypad. If you do not have numeric keypad, the "Character Map" is your best option.