How to use external usb keypad on laptop to enter special chars?

Hi,

Thanks for pointing out the reason this is the case. I hadn't realised that there was the requirement for the Alt+keypad to be from the same device to work. Seems like a requirement not so easy to get around.

I eventually checked out the AHK script, and seems remapping Alt+Numeric to Alt+KeypadNumeric has no negative side-effects (yet). Trying to combine Ctrl in the Alt code makes for a more challenging hand acrobatics than the alt key alone. I doesn't have any effect on their Shift+Symbol so this will have to do. Unfortunately my memory of the 'shape' of the alt codes are better than the digits themselves, so I have to re-learn them in a linear form lol. But at least they work.

Cheers both for replies,

Chloe

The core issue is that Windows requires the entire alt+0ddd packet to come in the same USB packet (Alt and Numpad on the same device).

Wikipedia entry: "One limitation of the Alt code feature is that the Alt key and the numpad keys being used to enter the code must both be on the same keyboard device. Users with keyboards that lack a numpad (e.g. tenkeyless designs) cannot use a separate numpad device to enter Alt codes while holding the Alt key on their main keyboard."

The AutoHotkey script shown in the Reddit link from Sumit D might work, but I wouldn't recommend straight up remapping your number row, but instead use a modifier+number combination that's unlikely to be used in any of your Windows applications.

Ctrl+Alt+num -> Alt+Numpad. This works. AutoHotkey script below:

^!1::!Numpad1 ^!2::!Numpad2^!3::!Numpad3^!4::!Numpad4^!5::!Numpad5^!6::!Numpad6^!7::!Numpad7^!8::!Numpad8^!9::!Numpad9^!0::!Numpad0

Thanks Chloe.

I researched on the Internet and saw there is a complex solution for that, which requires running AutoHotkey v2:

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/z...

Also check the following article:

https://fsymbols.com/keyboard/windows/alt-codes...

Standard 3rd party link disclaimer:

There may be links to non-Microsoft websites that provide accurate and safe information. Watch out for ads on websites frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). There is no need to buy paid products to fix your computers, as they sometimes do more harm than good.

Here is the screenshot. Some laptops have a function key and numeric keypad buttons on j k l u i o 7 8 9, but not this one. I also cannot see any num-lock button or anything that might engage/allow the laptop to natively handle keypad keys.

I really hope there is a way that windows 11 can recognise a USB keypad as a keypad for this purpose.

Cheers,

Chloe

Hi Chloe,
I'm Sumit, here to answer your query at the Microsoft Community.

Can you send me a screenshot of the keyboard layout? Use your Phone's Camera to click a picture.