How to Type Double Quotation Marks on a French Keyboard
Question details
The user needs to know the correct keyboard shortcuts or methods to type standard double quotation marks or French guillemets on a French keyboard layout.
- Product
- Keyboard Input
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Typing text requiring double quotes or French guillemets using an AZERTY keyboard layout.
- Observed behavior
- Standard quotation mark keys are either difficult to locate or behave differently depending on the active French keyboard layout and operating system.
Verify whether you need standard straight quotation marks ("") or traditional French guillemets (« »), as they require entirely different key combinations on AZERTY keyboards.
Use Native Keyboard Shortcuts for AZERTY Layouts
The quickest way to type quotation marks is by using the default key combinations built into your operating system's AZERTY layout.
Press the '3' key on the top number row. On a standard French AZERTY layout, you do not need to hold the Shift key to output the quotation mark (").
Use Alt codes for traditional guillemets. Hold the 'Alt' key and type '0171' on your numeric keypad for the left quote («), or '0175' for the right quote (»).
Press the '3' key for standard double quotes ("). For French guillemets, press 'Option + 7' for the left quote («) and 'Option + Shift + 7' for the right quote (»).
Insert Quotation Marks via the Operating System Symbol Viewer
If shortcuts are not working, you can manually insert the desired quotation marks using your operating system's built-in character map.
Use the Insert Symbol Menu in Your Word Processor
Most word processors have a dedicated symbol menu that allows you to easily insert special characters like French guillemets without memorizing shortcuts.
Easily Format French Quotation Marks in WPS Writer
WPS Office provides a highly compatible and user-friendly word processor that makes typing in multiple languages effortless. You can rely on smart auto-format features to automatically convert straight quotes to French guillemets when typing in French, or easily access the Symbol menu to insert them manually.
- 1. Download and install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite from the official website and install it on your device.
- 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open a new or existing text document.
- 3. Enable Smart Quotes: Go to 'Menu' > 'Options' > 'AutoCorrect' and ensure that the option to replace straight quotes with smart quotes is checked.
- 4. Insert symbols manually: If you prefer manual insertion, simply click 'Insert' > 'Symbol' to quickly add French guillemets (« ») whenever needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my quotation marks look different when I type them in a document?
Word processors like WPS Writer and MS Word often feature a 'Smart Quotes' or 'AutoFormat' function that automatically converts straight quotation marks ("") into curly quotes (“ ”) or French guillemets (« ») based on the document's selected language settings.
How do I type a single quotation mark on a French AZERTY keyboard?
On a standard French AZERTY keyboard for Windows, the single quotation mark or apostrophe (') is typed by pressing the '4' key on the top number row.
Can I temporarily switch my keyboard layout back to QWERTY to type quotes?
Yes. On Windows, you can press 'Windows Key + Spacebar' or 'Alt + Shift' to quickly toggle between installed keyboard languages. On a Mac, you can switch layouts from the Input menu located in the top menu bar.
