Hex Unicode input not working in Microsoft apps

Question

I am using Windows 8 pro 64 bit. I have my language set to English (Singapore locale).

I have input unicode text before with the method: hold [alt], [numeric plus]+[Unicode hex value]. While reporting this I decided to try to input the text in Google Chrome, in the url bar. Inputting for example "00b2" in Google's Chrome omnibar (the url bar) does work, producing "²" appropriately   — but I have to copy-paste that to get it in the text box here, since I am reporting this in Metro IE. The input method also works, rather comically, at the command prompt.

Recently I noticed that this is not working in many Microsoft applications. There appear to be two different ways that the input method misbehaves: either it inserts nothing, or it inserts the wrong Unicode character.

Metro IE has both behaviors: at the url bar it inserts nothing, but in text fields it inserts some other character (instead of the SUPERSCRIPT-TWO Unicode character "²", I get a dark smiley face: "☻").

Desktop IE: I get the dark smiley face both in text input fields and in the url bar.

WordPad: it inserts nothing.

Core Windows 8 Search feature: it does not work, although at least I get no input rather than the wrong Unicode character. Maps Tile app works perfectly though.

Using language tools (just a custom keyboard layout) I can input common characters like "æ" or "ā" without any issue, this is strictly about the hold [alt], [numeric plus]+[Unicode hex value] input method for Unicode characters.

I was told that this might just be a left over problem with IE, that the input method did not work with that app and was really a very old method — but reading about it online this is one of the three methods for inputting Unicode, and the only method that allows you to use the handy Hex value.

How can I get this fixed? The hex value is clearly the best way, because if you search for some Unicode character that is the first, and often enough only code point that is provided.

Answer 1

Hi Roberto,

Greetings!

We can copy individual characters from the character map. To open it type “Character Map” in the start search and press enter.

When you use Character map, if a keyboard stroke is available for the particular symbol you want, it will be shown on the right as Alt+089 or similar. Those characters that don't have an Alt number showing are not available through the keyboard. There may be some exceptions depending if the application supports hex input or not.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Yes Wasim, tht is a 5th method. :) I'd like to find out what is wrong with my PC that is preventing the first method from working. Could it be some Settings? Is there a file on disk who's health I could manually validate?

Answer 3

this is strictly about the hold [alt], [numeric plus]+[Unicode hex value] input method for Unicode characters.

You misunderstand the technique.  Don't use a [Numeric Plus].  The plus is just a graphic that goes with the Alt- to indicate that you should hold an Alt-key and then press those numbers using the Numeric keypad.

FYI

Robert Aldwinckle

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Answer 4

You misunderstand the technique.  Don't use a [Numeric Plus].  The plus is just a graphic that goes with the Alt- to indicate that you should hold an Alt-key and then press those numbers using the Numeric keypad.

FYI

Robert Aldwinckle

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Hi Robert Aldwinckle,

No, that is the Unicode decimal method, I believe. This is the Unicode hex method. If you read the Microsoft official Wassim's response above, you will see this is the correct method, listed as method #1 there. It is also listed in the relevant Wikipedia entry, and in fileformat.info's page.

This hex method does work in some applications, **** as listed in the initial report here. But in many others it does not. The distinction does not appear to be between Microsoft-official software and third party apps, as some Microsoft official apps (the command line, the maps tile) do work.

Unicode is indexed in hex, and decimal values can be harder to find, or even not present in many indices. While I can often search for a Unicode character and read the hex code directly in the search results page, I basically can never do that with decimal since it is an artificial index.

I actually wouldn't mind being able to disable the Unicode decimal method, since it appears to get in the way and I know I will never use it.

— I remember hearing that some language/character display stuff was getting fixed in 8.1 — anyone know if input methods are addressed too?