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How to insert Unicode characters (like arrows) using only the keyboard in any application? Is EnableHexNumpad still required in Windows 7?

Anonymous
2009-10-31T19:42:04+00:00

Windows Help explains how to use Character Map to copy or drag special characters into Unicode-aware applications. In Vista, it was possible (but cumbersome) to insert special characters using only the keyboard with the so-called Alt-Plus method, which first required adding EnableHexNumpad to the Registry*

Is there an easier way to insert Unicode characters using only the keyboard newly available in Windows 7? Is adding EnableHexNumpad to the Registry still required to use the Alt-Plus method? Any other tips for quickly inserting Unicode characters in Unicode-aware applications?

* Registry instructions: Add a new string [REG_SZ] of name EnableHexNumpadand value set to 1in HKEY_Current_User/Control Panel/Input Method

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  1. Anonymous
    2009-11-24T01:48:33+00:00

    Have you tried UnicodeInput? It's a small program that can be used to enter Unicode characters on Windows via keyboard. Works with pretty much every app I've tested. I use it on Vista, so I can't guarantee it will work on 7 too...

    You can find it at http://www.fileformat.info/tool/unicodeinput/unicodeinput.zip .

    Regards,

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-11-30T00:15:51+00:00

    None of these answers are the least bit useful... does anyone have a clear answer to this question?

    And preferably natively and not through a 3rd party piece of software...

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-16T13:38:17+00:00

    Have you tried UnicodeInput? It's a small program that can be used to enter Unicode characters on Windows via keyboard. Works with pretty much every app I've tested. I use it on Vista, so I can't guarantee it will work on 7 too...

    You can find it at http://www.fileformat.info/tool/unicodeinput/unicodeinput.zip .

    Regards,

    I'm curious how this response came to be automagically or manually identified as The Answer when Seth D plainly asks for a keyboard-only solution. Did Seth D himself mark this as The Answer? Microsoft forums frequently seem sloppy in this respect.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-19T11:50:20+00:00

    It still hasn't been established (in this thread at least) whether the numpad method actually works without the registry modification. The user who provided an example was using an ascii / extended ascii symbol (µ, ALT+230 or ALT+0181) to demonstrate rather than a unicode symbol with a code-point above 255. So until someone confirms this, MaartenLabeeuw's point stands.

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-11-01T22:08:27+00:00

    You can user character map, its located in start > all programs > accessories > system tools

    Hope that helps ;)

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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