If you are a windows user, you have two basic options: type in cryptic codes or set up your keyboard differently. Typing in cryptic codes is cumbersome and frustrating. Usually, setting up your keyboard is the best way to go. In order to set up your keyboard, you will have to re-configure your system, which it's very easy. Please read the following instructions found in www.studyspanish.com.
Window 95-98 and beyond
Windows Vista
The next thing to note is that the quotes (") key behaves the same way as the apostrophe key. You must first strike the quotes key and then strike the space bar in order to create the (") symbol. These two minor inconveniences are more than made up for by the ease with which you can now type the special characters.
To type the special characters, two keystrokes are required. To type the á, you need only strike the apostrophe key and then the letter a. The other characters are just as easy:
Mac Users
To get accents on the Mac, hold down the Option key, and while holding it down, type the letter e; then release those keys and type the letter that you want the accent to appear on:
Window 95-98 and beyond
- Close all of your programs.
- Shut your system down.
- Re-start your system.
- Open Control Panel. (Start - Settings - Control Panel)
- Double-click "Keyboard" icon.
- Click on "Language" tab.
- Click on "Properties" button.
- Choose "United States - International" from the menu.
- Click on "OK" button.
- You may be required to insert your Windows CD-ROM.
- When finished, shut down your system.
- Restart your system.
- Read the instructions for "Using the U.S. - International Keyboard" below.
- Log On
- Click the Start button
- Click on Control Panel
- Click Regional and Language Options - a new window will pop up
- Click the Languages tab
- Click on the Details button
- Click the Add button - a new window will pop up
- Select United States-International (keyboard layout menu)
- Click OK
- Click Apply
- Read the instructions for "Using the U.S. - International Keyboard" below.
Windows Vista
- Start-->Control Panel-->Clock, Language, Region-->Change Keyboards
- New Window: Click the Change Keyboards button
- New Window: Click the Add button
- Select United States-International keyboard
- Click OK
- From drop down menu (Default Input Language) select United States International
The next thing to note is that the quotes (") key behaves the same way as the apostrophe key. You must first strike the quotes key and then strike the space bar in order to create the (") symbol. These two minor inconveniences are more than made up for by the ease with which you can now type the special characters.
To type the special characters, two keystrokes are required. To type the á, you need only strike the apostrophe key and then the letter a. The other characters are just as easy:
- á = ' + a
- é = ' + e
- í = ' + i
- ó = ' + o
- ú = ' + u
- ñ = ~ + n
- ü = " + u
- ¡ = Alt (hold down) + !
- ¿ = Alt (hold down) + ?
- á = Alt + 0225
- é = Alt + 0233
- í = Alt + 0237
- ó = Alt + 0243
- ú = Alt + 0250
- ñ = Alt + 0241
- ü = Alt + 0252
- ¡ = Alt + 0161
- ¿ Alt + 0191
Mac Users
To get accents on the Mac, hold down the Option key, and while holding it down, type the letter e; then release those keys and type the letter that you want the accent to appear on:
- á = Opt + e, then a
- é = Opt + e, then e
- í = Opt + e, then i
- ó = Opt + e, then o
- ú = Opt + e, then u
- ñ = Opt + n, then n
- ü = Opt + u, then u
- ¡ = Opt + 1
- ¿ Opt + shift + ?