How to Type Accents and Special Characters in Windows 11 (é, ñ, ü, ©, £)

You need to type an accented letter or a special symbol — é, ñ, ü, ©, £ — and your keyboard has no key for it.

Why: A standard keyboard only prints the characters on its keys, but Windows has several built-in ways to insert anything else. Start with the fastest and pick whichever fits your situation.

Fix 1: Emoji and symbols panel (works almost everywhere)

1. Click where you want the character, then press Win + . (period). The emoji panel opens.
2. Click the symbols category (the Ω/& icon) to see accented letters, currency, punctuation and math symbols.
3. Click a character to insert it. The panel stays open so you can add more.

This is the easiest method and works in most apps without changing any settings.

Fix 2: Alt codes on the number pad

If you know the code and have a numeric keypad:

1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
2. Hold Alt, type the four-digit code on the number pad, then release Alt. Examples:
   • Alt + 0169 = © (copyright)
   • Alt + 0163 = £ (British pound)
   • Alt + 0151 = — (em dash)
3. The code must be typed on the dedicated number pad, not the top number row.

Fix 3: Accent shortcuts in Word and Outlook

In Microsoft Word or Outlook, hold the modifier, release, then type the letter:

• Ctrl + ’ (apostrophe), then the letter → á é í ó ú (acute)
• Ctrl + ` (grave accent), then the letter → à è ì ò ù
• Ctrl + Shift + ~ (tilde), then the letter → ã ñ õ
• Ctrl + Shift + : (colon), then the letter → ä ë ï ö ü
• Ctrl + , (comma), then c → ç

These work inside Office apps; for other programs use Fix 1.

Fix 4: Touch keyboard (press and hold for accents)

Great on a touchscreen, but it also works with a mouse:

1. Right-click the taskbar > Taskbar settings and turn on the Touch keyboard button, then click it to open the on-screen keyboard.
2. Press and hold a letter (or click and hold with the mouse) to reveal its accented versions.
3. Slide to the character you want and release to insert it. Click the &123 / symbols key for currency and punctuation.

FAQ

Can I type accents directly with a normal keyboard? Yes — add the United States-International layout (Settings > Time & language > Language & region > [language] > Language options > Add a keyboard), then type ' then a vowel to get á. Note it uses “dead keys,” so ' waits for the next letter.

Where’s the old Character Map? Still here: press Start, type Character Map, open it, find the symbol, Select and Copy, then paste.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Windows keyboard tips and tricks, Microsoft Support — Keyboard shortcuts for international characters