Alt codes
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The term Alt codes is used to refer to a number of Unicode input methods that allow characters to be entered by typing a character's code point in concert with the Alt key.
Usage
- In Microsoft Windows, symbols and accented characters not found on the keyboard are inserted by holding down the Alt key and typing a number on the numeric keypad; see Windows Alt keycodes. Characters are stored on your computer as numbers; each letter or symbol is represented by a number. To make sure that text looks the same on all computers, there is a standard called Unicode that defines which numbers are mapped to which characters. Due to the number of alphabets in the world, Unicode defines tens of thousands of characters.
- A variant of alt codes are Alt-X codes; in WordPad and Microsoft Word 2002/2003 for Windows, the keystroke
Alt + xwill convert a hexadecimal number to the corresponding character; see Unicode input methods. - The Linux console supports Alt codes using the same method as with Windows.
Other input methods
- A variety of codepoint-based input methods that do not use the term alt codes are provided by various programs and environments; see Unicode input methods for a full list. Cardbox Software has created a [free utility that extends the alt codes system to non-microsoft applications].
- Entering characters with a utility like Quick Key [(download)] is much preferable to memorizing alt codes, although Quick Key also excels as an alt code reference. Proprietary alternatives include [PopChar] and [FrKeys].
- For heavy usage that justifies relearning key positions, a new Keyboard Layout is recommended.
Utilities
- Quick Key [(download)] (Open Source Keyboard Extension)
- [Unicode Input Utility] (Allows alt-codes on all programs)
- [Mophy Accents] (Simplifies typing accented characters)
- [PopChar Demo Version] (Similar to Quick Key)
- [FrKeys]
See also
Reference Charts
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