How to Type Windows Alt Codes and Special Characters on a Mac
Question details
Users switching from Windows to Mac need to find the macOS equivalent of numeric Alt codes to quickly insert special characters via the keyboard.
- Product
- macOS Keyboard Features
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Inserting special characters and symbols into text without relying on application-specific menus.
- Observed behavior
- Standard Windows numeric Alt codes (using a number pad) do not work natively on macOS, which uses an entirely different system for typing symbols.
Identify whether you are using a standard Apple keyboard or a third-party Windows keyboard, as the Option key on a Mac corresponds to the Alt key on a Windows keyboard.
Use Option Key Shortcuts
The most direct alternative to Windows Alt codes on a Mac is utilizing built-in Option key combinations to quickly type common special characters.
Instead of typing numeric codes, macOS relies on holding down the Option key (or Option + Shift) while pressing standard letter or number keys. This method is generally faster than Windows Alt codes once you memorize your most frequently used symbols.
Hold down the 'Option' key and press a corresponding letter or number. For example, press Option + G for the copyright symbol (©), Option + 2 for the trademark symbol (™), or Option + 8 for a bullet point (•).
To see all available Option key shortcuts, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input, enable 'Show Input menu in menu bar', click the input icon in your top menu bar, and select 'Show Keyboard Viewer'. Hold the Option key to see how the keys change.
Use the macOS Character Viewer
If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut for a specific symbol, the built-in Character Viewer acts as a universal menu for emojis and special characters.
Enable Unicode Hex Input
For advanced users who prefer typing specific hex codes similar to Windows Alt codes, macOS allows you to enable a dedicated Unicode Hex input mode.
Insert Special Characters Easily in WPS Office for Mac
If you frequently work with documents and need a faster way to insert special characters without memorizing Mac keyboard shortcuts, WPS Office provides a dedicated and user-friendly Symbol library directly within its interface.
- 1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer, Spreadsheets, or Presentation on your Mac and open the file you are working on.
- 2. Navigate to the Insert tab: Click on the 'Insert' tab located in the top ribbon menu to reveal various insertion tools.
- 3. Open the Symbol menu: Click the 'Symbol' button. A comprehensive dialog box will appear, allowing you to browse or select recently used special characters.
- 4. Insert into your text: Click on the desired character and select 'Insert' to instantly place it at your cursor's current location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't Windows numeric Alt codes work on my Mac?
macOS utilizes a completely different keyboard mapping architecture than Windows. Apple designed macOS to use the Option key in combination with standard alphanumeric keys for special characters, rendering the Windows number-pad Alt code system incompatible natively.
Where is the Alt key on a Mac keyboard?
On standard Mac keyboards, the 'Option' key serves as the equivalent to the Windows 'Alt' key. It is typically located next to the Command key on the bottom row of the keyboard. Many Mac keyboards label this key with both 'Option' and 'Alt'.
How do I type the degree symbol (°) on a Mac?
You can quickly type the degree symbol by pressing Option + Shift + 8. Alternatively, you can press Option + K to insert a smaller degree-like symbol.
Can I remap my Mac keyboard to use Windows Alt codes?
Natively, macOS does not support numeric Alt codes. However, you can use third-party keyboard customization software like Karabiner-Elements or text expansion apps like TextExpander to create custom macros that mimic the behavior of Windows Alt codes.
