Entering Extended Characters

Entering Extended Characters

DOS and Windows allow you to create Extended Characters such as y-umlaut with the help of a numeric code. To enter any character from the IBM PC Extended Character (ECS), which is standard on DOS, hold down the Alt key while you enter the 3-digit decimal code. For example, Alt-152 is y-umlaut in ECS.

The situation in MS Windows is more complex. You can still use Alt plus a 3-digit ECS code as in DOS, but only if the character exists in the ANSI Character Set used by Windows. Windows then converts the character from the ECS code to the equivalent ANSI code. For example, y-umlaut is entered as Alt-152 but is translated to decimal 255. Or you can enter the ANSI code, but must convert it to 4-digits by preceding it with a 0 (zero). Thus Alt-0255 is also y-umlaut.

Be sure to use the Numeric Keypad when keying in an Alt-Number and remember to engage the Num Lock key.

To find the 4-digit Windows code for a character, use the Character Map applet of the Accessories drawer. Select some font, such as Arial, click on the character you want, then note the 4-digit code displayed at the bottom of the window.