Typing Spanish

Question

For those who ask how to type the ÿ, the accents and other Spanish symbols like ¿ or ¡, here is the most efficient method in Windows XP (although in Vista is similar):

Go to Control Panel

Click on Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options.

Then click on Regional and Language Options

Select the Languages tab.

Click on Details.

Click on Add, choose Spanish, and then select any variant.

The International Sort is configured like this:

The one used in Mexico like this:

Answer 1

Quentin said:

Mark Baker,Sorry the reply link for your note isn't functioning."There really is no need to download software.....your computer already has it.!!Open MS Word ..."Why do you assume MS Word is on every computer (Even PC's running Windows)'Unless you want to open Word and copy symbols to the clipboard and then into messages such as these and what good is that? If you DO want to cut and paste symbols then I would suggest (if you happen to be running Windows Vista or XP as your OS) using Start...All Programs...Accessories...System Tools...Character Map. That library is more extensive and even shows you the ALT+code for the character so that you can create it more easily if you are using it more than once. Using Word to make a symbol is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

The whole point is to learn by 'sharing information' and not to denigrate others....I'm sure you'll agree. However, the character map doesn't allow me to customise the shortcut keys (CTL and ALT Keys) - that's the real issue here.

Answer 2

Paralee,
Sorry the reply link for your comment isn't working.
Did you find the answer you needed for makeing the ª or º symbols on a Mac (of which I am totally ignorant)?
Here´s a link that you might find informative. I saw references to FontBook, the Option Key, and System Preferences in other links so I assume you can change keyboards, use a code, etc. as you can on a PC. I saw the question asked about whether a Mac has a character map function like a PC does, but the question was never directly answered. The person went on to discuss how to change keyboards, etc.
http://tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codemac.html

Answer 3

Mark Baker,
Sorry the reply link for your note isn't functioning.
"There really is no need to download software.....your computer already has it.!!
Open MS Word ..."
Why do you assume MS Word is on every computer (Even PC's running Windows)?
Unless you want to open Word and copy symbols to the clipboard and then into messages such as these and what good is that? If you DO want to cut and paste symbols then I would suggest (if you happen to be running Windows Vista or XP as your OS) using Start...All Programs...Accessories...System Tools...Character Map. That library is more extensive and even shows you the ALT+code for the character so that you can create it more easily if you are using it more than once. Using Word to make a symbol is like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly.

Answer 4

Paralee Whitmire said:

Does anyone know how type superscripts (the tiny a and o for abbreviations like 3a, and 2o) on a Mac keyboard? I have my keyboard set to Spanish ISO, but it is different from PC Spanish ISO. That very top left button should do it on a PC, but my keyboard types < and > for that key. Any suggestions?

Hey Paralee,

Are these the type of symbols you want? © ® °c

Answer 5

Natasha said:

Paralee Whitmire said:

Does anyone know how type superscripts (the tiny a and o for abbreviations like 3a, and 2o) on a Mac keyboard? I have my keyboard set to Spanish ISO, but it is different from PC Spanish ISO. That very top left button should do it on a PC, but my keyboard types < and > for that key. Any suggestions?

Paralee, this isn't a very good suggestion, but it's better than nothing: you can copy-and-paste from a site like the following:http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/a...Of course, if you can figure out what the right code is, you should be able to type ALT and the code as long as your keyboard has a numeric keypad. For example, ALT-171 gives me ½. (If I find the codes for the ones you asked about, I'll post them.)A while back, Zoltán posted the most commonly used ALT-keys for typing in Spanish (etc.), so I'm copying-and-pasting them here for general reference.Alt+129 üAlt+130 éAlt +144 ÿAlt+160 áAlt+161 íAlt+162 óAlt+163 úAlt+164 ñAlt+165 ÿAlt+168 ¿Alt+173 ¡Alt+64 @Alt+126 ~Alt+246 ÷Alt+171 ½Alt+172 ¼Alt+156 £Alt+193 ÁAlt+205 ÍAlt+211 ÿAlt+218 ÿAlt+220 ÿ

Hey Natasha, So why not change the codes to make it easier!!!...it's very easy to do by yourself

Answer 6

P.S.

Alt-166 gives ª
Alt-167 gives º

Paralee, I don't know if this works on a Mac or not . . . good luck

Answer 7

Paralee Whitmire said:

Does anyone know how type superscripts (the tiny a and o for abbreviations like 3a, and 2o) on a Mac keyboard? I have my keyboard set to Spanish ISO, but it is different from PC Spanish ISO. That very top left button should do it on a PC, but my keyboard types < and > for that key. Any suggestions?

Paralee, this isn't a very good suggestion, but it's better than nothing: you can copy-and-paste from a site like the following:

http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/ascii.htm

Of course, if you can figure out what the right code is, you should be able to type ALT and the code as long as your keyboard has a numeric keypad. For example, ALT-171 gives me ½. (If I find the codes for the ones you asked about, I'll post them.)

A while back, Zoltán posted the most commonly used ALT-keys for typing in Spanish (etc.), so I'm copying-and-pasting them here for general reference.

Alt+129 ü
Alt+130 é
Alt +144 ÿ
Alt+160 á
Alt+161 í
Alt+162 ó
Alt+163 ú
Alt+164 ñ
Alt+165 ÿ
Alt+168 ¿
Alt+173 ¡
Alt+64 @
Alt+126 ~
Alt+246 ÷
Alt+171 ½
Alt+172 ¼
Alt+156 £
Alt+193 Á
Alt+205 Í
Alt+211 ÿ
Alt+218 ÿ
Alt+220 ÿ

Answer 8

Does anyone know how type superscripts (the tiny a and o for abbreviations like 3a, and 2o) on a Mac keyboard? I have my keyboard set to Spanish ISO, but it is different from PC Spanish ISO. That very top left button should do it on a PC, but my keyboard types < and > for that key. Any suggestions'

Answer 9

Natasha said:

Personally, in Lazarus' second image above, I prefer to choose "US - International Keyboard" and show the language bar on the desktop so I can toggle back and forth between standard & Spanish keybaords.

Hi Natasha
I am using the US keyboard right now but it keeps spelling theater and color incorrectly. Just changed to the English keyboard, lets try now, theatre, colour, that's a lot better. (wink)

Answer 10

Personally, in Lazarus' second image above, I prefer to choose "US - International Keyboard" and show the language bar on the desktop so I can toggle back and forth between standard & Spanish keybaords.

Answer 11

Paralee Whitmire said:

Samdie,There actually are references for para/por and ser/estar in the reference section. I really like the idea of adding topics such as keystrokes for accented letters. I wonder what other topic would be helpful along this same vein...- Paralee

samdie said:

Why isn't there some sort of "FAQ" that provides a detailed discussion of the options and a how-to? There are certainly several threads addressing this same question (though, all the ones that I remember lack the screen captures that Lazarus has so kindly provide in this thread). The same might be said for such oft-asked questions as "ser/estar", "por/para", etc.

I would recommend the reference section to anybody.....and Paralee is right too, the section could be improved by including an 'IT Section'.

There really is no need to download software.....your computer already has it.!!

Open MS Word then select from the top toolbar 'Insert'
then select 'Symbols'....hey presto......Basic Latin, Extended Latin etc etc.

To customise your keyboard just highlight the desired character and then click on 'shortcut key' at the bottom of the page- change it to something convenient and EASY. There's really no need to memorise 'Alt 164' like people have mentioned - lets make it easy.

Answer 12

Jhonny Urrego said:

hold Ctrl and type 164 ,release Ctrl then it will show the "ñ

Hi Jhonny
I think it is the "alt" button you hold down and then type 164.

Answer 13

Heidita said:

We will open a direct link on the forum page for this. As ususal, Lazarus has done a wonderful job and has been of great help. Also special thanks to everybody for participating and giving more ideas..

Thanks a lot to Lazarus for such a clear explanation, if I had had it at the time I would have done that, but instead I downloaded a little program called allchars. This gives access to a whole bunch of symbols -as well as Spanish é ü and punctuation etc. « » ? other accents are available eg â æ ç ¼ ÷ etc. and may be useful for all round linguists. If you google Allchars for Windows you will find it.

It works by using the ctrl button to modify letters so 3 keystrokes are involved eg for é you press ctrl ' e

Answer 14

samdie said:

Why isn't there some sort of "FAQ" that provides a detailed discussion of the options and a how-to? There are certainly several threads addressing this same question (though, all the ones that I remember lack the screen captures that Lazarus has so kindly provide in this thread). The same might be said for such oft-asked questions as "ser/estar", "por/para", etc.

There used to be an explanation like this in announcements... but I think it disappeared when they re-did the website. I'm thrilled to see this explanation typed up (especially so clearly), because it is a question that seems to keep coming up. I agree that it needs to be put somewhere where it won't get lost .

Answer 15

Samdie,
There actually are references for para/por and ser/estar in the reference section. I really like the idea of adding topics such as keystrokes for accented letters. I wonder what other topic would be helpful along this same vein...
- Paralee

samdie said:

Why isn't there some sort of "FAQ" that provides a detailed discussion of the options and a how-to? There are certainly several threads addressing this same question (though, all the ones that I remember lack the screen captures that Lazarus has so kindly provide in this thread). The same might be said for such oft-asked questions as "ser/estar", "por/para", etc.

>