# How do I get special characters in my messages? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [July 3, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-special-characters-in-my-messages/24457 "2000-07-03T18:31:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2000, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-special-characters-in-my-messages/24457/1 "2000-07-03T18:31:21Z")
I know about holding down [alt] and typing numbers while [numlock] is engaged, but I don’t have any idea about what the characters are. Is there a guide that says what numbers will give what symbols? I really need this for foreign words that might have an umlaut or two in them. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2000, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-special-characters-in-my-messages/24457/2 "2000-07-03T18:47:07Z")
I know you asked about using alt combinations, but another way to use special characters is to use the HTML codes. See the thread: [How to use HTML special characters](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=26771) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2000, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-special-characters-in-my-messages/24457/3 "2000-07-03T19:15:01Z")
The Windows accessory charmap will give you the codes, as well as letting you put special characters directly into the clipboard. Try start-programs-accessories-charmap or start-run-“charmap”