How to Type Accented Letters on Mac, Windows, Word, and Android

Accented letters such as é, ñ, ü, and ç can be entered on a Mac, a Windows PC, in Microsoft Word, or on an Android phone without copying them from another page. Use the method that matches your device: keyboard shortcuts and character tools on computers, or the touch keyboard on Android.

What You’ll Need

A Mac, Windows PC, or Android phone with a working keyboard or touch keyboard.
For Windows shortcuts, a numeric keypad is helpful; laptop number-row keys usually do not substitute for it.
An app or document where you can enter text, such as Microsoft Word.

Step-by-Step

Choose the method for your device. On a Mac, use a press-and-hold accent menu or Option-key combinations. On Windows, use Word’s built-in shortcuts or the Windows character picker. On Android, press and hold a letter on the on-screen keyboard. The character picker methods are useful when you need a symbol that is not offered by a shortcut or keyboard menu.
Type accented letters on a Mac with the accent menu. Click where you want the letter, then press and hold the base letter—for example, hold e to see available accented versions. When the small menu appears, click the character you need or press the number shown under it. If no menu appears, check that you are using an app and keyboard setup that supports this feature; some apps repeat the letter instead.
Use Mac Option shortcuts when you know the combination. For common accents, press the Option combination first, release the keys, then type the letter. For example, Option+e, then e, makes é; Option+e, then a, makes á. Option+n, then n, makes ñ, and Option+u, then u, makes ü. To capitalize, type the capital base letter after the accent sequence. Combinations can vary with keyboard layout, so use the accent menu if a shortcut behaves differently.
Enter an accented character on Windows using the character picker. In many Windows apps, press Windows key + . (period) to open the emoji and symbols panel. Select the symbols section, then look for the accented character. If the panel does not offer what you need, open the Windows Start menu and search for Character Map. Choose the font, select a character, and use the copy button or copy it into your document; return to the document and paste.
Use Windows Alt codes only if you have a numeric keypad. Turn on Num Lock if your keyboard has it. Hold Alt, type the character’s numeric code on the keypad, then release Alt. Codes depend on the code page and setup, so verify the result before relying on a code list. The number row above the letters generally does not work for Alt codes. If you have a laptop without a keypad, use Character Map or the symbol panel instead.
Type accents directly in Microsoft Word. Word supports common accent shortcuts. For acute accents, press Ctrl+' (apostrophe), release the keys, then type the letter: Ctrl+', then e, produces é. For a grave accent, use Ctrl+`, then the letter; for a circumflex, Ctrl+Shift+^, then the letter; for a tilde, Ctrl+Shift+~, then the letter; and for a diaeresis, Ctrl+Shift+:, then the letter. These are Windows Word shortcuts and may vary by keyboard layout. On Mac Word, use the Mac methods above. If a shortcut does not work, use Word’s Insert tab and choose Symbol to select the character.
Type accents on Android. Open the app and tap the text field to bring up the keyboard. Press and hold the base letter, such as a, n, or u. When alternatives appear, slide to the accented letter and lift your finger. If the keyboard has a language or layout button, you can also add the relevant language in your keyboard settings and switch layouts. Menu names and available characters depend on the keyboard app and phone.
Check the result in context. Confirm the accent is above or below the intended letter and that the case is right. In a document, check the word’s spelling and font. If you need the same character repeatedly, copy the verified character once and paste it where needed, or set up a suitable keyboard layout.

Common Mistakes

Typing the letter before the accent shortcut. Many shortcuts work in two stages: enter the accent command, then type the base letter. Typing the letter first will not usually add an accent afterward.
Using the wrong key layout. Key combinations for symbols such as apostrophe, grave, caret, and tilde can differ between US and other keyboard layouts. Check the key’s actual position and try the character picker if needed.
Using the number row for a Windows Alt code. Standard Alt codes typically require a numeric keypad. A laptop’s number row is not equivalent, even if Num Lock is available through a function layer.
Choosing the wrong accent or letter case. An acute accent (é) and a grave accent (è) are different characters. Select the complete character you need rather than combining a guessed accent with the letter.
Assuming every font displays every character. A character may be entered correctly but appear as a box or missing glyph if the selected font does not support it. Try a common font or a different app.

Tips

For occasional accents, use the Mac press-and-hold menu, Windows Character Map or symbol panel, and Android long-press menu. These avoid memorizing codes.
In Word, use Insert > Symbol when you need less common letters or want to inspect the exact character before inserting it.
For frequent writing in another language, add its keyboard layout in your device’s language or keyboard settings. This can make accents easier to enter, but changes how some keys produce characters.
Keep the original spelling and accent marks when copying names or foreign-language text. Autocorrect may replace an unfamiliar word, so review the final text.

Troubleshooting

If a shortcut inserts punctuation or does nothing, check whether the steps match your operating system and keyboard layout. On a Mac, try holding the letter or use the Character Viewer from the input menu if it is enabled. On Windows, use the symbol panel or search the Start menu for Character Map rather than trying random Alt codes. In Word, confirm you are using shortcuts for the correct platform and that the cursor is in the document, not a search box or dialog.

If Android does not show alternatives, hold the letter slightly longer and check that the on-screen keyboard is active. Some keyboards require you to enable long-press character options or add a language in keyboard settings. If the character appears as a blank box, try another font or app. If accents appear on the wrong letter, undo the entry and repeat the accent shortcut before typing the base letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I type é on a Mac?
Hold e and select é, or press Option+e, release, then press e.

How do I type an accent in Word on Windows?
For an acute accent, press Ctrl+', release, then type the letter. You can also use Insert > Symbol.

Can I type accents on Windows without a numeric keypad?
Yes. Use the Windows symbol panel or Character Map and copy the character into your document.

How do I type ñ on Android?
Press and hold n on the on-screen keyboard, then slide to ñ and release. The exact menu depends on your keyboard app.

Why does holding a letter repeat it instead of showing accents?
The app, keyboard settings, or keyboard layout may not support the pop-up menu. Try a shortcut or character picker, or check the keyboard’s settings.

Do accent shortcuts work the same on every computer?
No. Shortcuts vary by operating system, app, and keyboard layout. Use the device-specific method above and verify the result.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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