There are a variety of special characters and symbols you can access using Windows shortcuts. In particular, there’s a technique known as “Alt codes,” which lets you enter special characters by pressing the Alt key followed by certain sequences on your keyboard.
This is also known as an “alt key code” — basically a numeric code you enter to insert a character. You have to hold down the Alt key and type in the sequence, then release it to get the desired result. This is usually written as Alt plus a decimal number entered on the numeric keypad. Do not confuse it with Microsoft's separate Alt + X feature, which converts a typed hexadecimal Unicode value in supported Office applications.
Alt codes are distinct from standard OS keyboard shortcuts that typically combine keys for actions. These are more specific to your system, but they do work well in most cases. It’s just that some shortcuts may vary based on what software you’re running at the time. Some applications may change behavior; Ctrl+Shift+V is a common one for pasting as plain text, but that won’t always work in every application.
Windows 10 uses the Alt key as part of its shortcut functionality. But you’ll need to ensure that the hardware meets some conditions to enable Alt codes. And there are other ways to access the same special characters, including the Windows key with a period, which opens the emoji panel. Here’s how these techniques work.
The Alt Key Code Technique
In Windows, Alt key codes are a way to insert special characters into documents or text areas simply by typing the correct numeric sequence.
To use Alt key codes, you must:
Hold down the Alt key while typing in a number sequence.
Make sure that Num Lock is turned on so that the numeric keypad works.
Type the number on the numeric keypad.
Release the Alt key after typing the number.
You can also use the Windows key (Win) and press the period key (.) to open the emoji panel. There’s a Symbols icon that allows you to choose special characters without needing to remember their corresponding Alt key codes.
The problem occurs when you expect a certain symbol but see something else. That’s because sometimes the Alt key doesn’t respond properly, especially on laptops. It’s important to make sure that Num Lock is on. Otherwise, the numeric keypad won’t function properly.
On a laptop, you may need to hold down the Fn key to activate the numpad. On desktops, this should be automatic.
A wide range of symbols can be accessed via Alt key codes, including punctuation marks not normally available on the keyboard, pre-formed Roman numerals (both uppercase and lowercase), fractions, and math symbols. Star symbols like ✶, zodiac signs such as ♈, and various types of dashes and quotation marks (such as the em dash or en dash, and the curly quotation styles) can all be accessed using Alt codes.
Some legacy Alt sequences produce bullets, smileys, or other characters in applications that preserve the corresponding OEM code-page behavior. The exact mapping is not a universal Unicode input system and can differ by application, locale, and leading zero.
A checkmark is Unicode U+2713, but holding Alt and typing 2713 is not a dependable way to enter it. In Microsoft Word you can type 2713 and then press Alt + X; elsewhere use Character Map, the emoji/symbol panel, or copy and paste.
If the Windows key and period doesn’t open the emoji panel, there could be an issue. On a physical keyboard, Win+; is also a valid alternative.
Some apps change keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcut behavior is not guaranteed to be consistent across all applications. Some applications may change behavior of keyboard shortcuts. For example, Ctrl+Shift+V to paste as plain text may not work in all apps.