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How to Type Accented Characters on Windows (à, è, È)

Olivia Miller Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know the correct methods for typing accented letters (such as à, è, and È) on a standard Windows computer.

How to Type Accented Characters on Windows

Product: Windows OS
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Typing in foreign languages or inserting specific accented symbols into text documents.
Observed behavior: Requires a streamlined way to insert grave, acute, and other accents without needing to memorize complex Alt-key numeric codes.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to your Windows Settings to add new keyboard layouts, and an active internet connection if you plan to download Windows PowerToys.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the United States-International Keyboard Layout

This built-in Windows feature allows you to type accented characters effortlessly using a combination of punctuation marks and letter keys.

The US-International keyboard layout uses 'dead keys' (like the grave accent, apostrophe, or quotation mark) to apply accents to the letter you type immediately afterward.

Open Language Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to 'Time & language', then select 'Language & region'.

Add the Keyboard Layout

Under your preferred language (e.g., English), click the three dots and select 'Language options'. Click 'Add a keyboard' and select 'United States-International'.

Switch to the International Keyboard

Press the Windows key + Spacebar to cycle through your installed keyboards until the US-International layout is selected.

Type an Accented Character

To type a grave accent (è), press the grave accent key (`) located under the Esc key, followed by the letter 'e'. To type an acute accent (á), press the apostrophe key ('), followed by the letter 'a'.

Use the United States-International Keyboard Layout

Typing Regular Punctuation: Because the punctuation keys are now acting as 'dead keys' for accents, if you want to type a standalone apostrophe or quotation mark, you must press the punctuation key followed immediately by the Spacebar.

Solution 2

Use Windows PowerToys Quick Accent

Windows PowerToys provides a Quick Accent utility that allows you to type accented characters by simply holding down a letter key, similar to how typing works on smartphones.

Insert Accented Characters Directly in WPS Office

If you are typing a document and prefer not to alter your Windows system keyboard settings, WPS Office provides a simple built-in Symbol library to effortlessly insert accented characters into your text.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document where you need to type accented characters.
2. Navigate to the Insert Tab: Click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
3. Open the Symbol Library: Click the 'Symbol' button, then choose 'More Symbols' from the dropdown menu to open the character map.
4. Select and Insert: Locate the accented character you need, click on it, and hit the 'Insert' button to place it directly into your text.

Access a comprehensive built-in Symbol library without changing your Windows keyboard layout.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats, ensuring your accented characters render perfectly on any device.Lightweight, free-to-use Office alternative tailored for multilingual document formatting and editing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I type an uppercase accented character like È?

If you are using the US-International keyboard layout, press the accent key (like the grave accent ` key), then hold down the Shift key and press the letter (e.g., Shift + E) to type a capital È.

Can I use Alt numeric codes instead of changing my keyboard?

Yes. If your keyboard has a dedicated numeric keypad, you can hold down the Alt key and type a specific numeric code (e.g., Alt + 0232 for è or Alt + 0233 for é). Make sure Num Lock is turned on.

Why is my apostrophe not showing up immediately when I type?

If you have switched to the US-International layout, the apostrophe key acts as a 'dead key' waiting to see if you are going to type a vowel next for an accent. To type a normal apostrophe, press the apostrophe key followed by the Spacebar.

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