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

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

If you read the Microsoft official Wassim's response above, you will see

<quote>

Press Alt-X after typing some hex digits.

</quote>

Interesting but still doesn't look like a specification to press the Numeric keypad's Plus button.

decimal values can be harder to find

But easy to calculate.   Just use  calc.exe  in Programmer mode.  Tip:  toggle between Hex and Decimal using F5 and F6.

Answer 2

Well it still is the method, in fact the primary method provided by Windows. I'm not sure why, when Microsoft reps come here and agree with me, and the Wikipedia article agrees with me, and the oft-sited fileformat.info page — all of them agree with me, yet you still have doubts.

—

I'm not looking to work around my computer's problem, so calculating won't do.

Answer 3

I'm not sure why, when Microsoft reps come here and agree with me, and the Wikipedia article agrees with me, and the oft-sited fileformat.info page — all of them agree with me, yet you still have doubts..

Depends on what you want I guess.  Theory that doesn't work or practical procedures that do.   According to calc.exe   0xB2 = 178.   So have you tried pressing and holding  Alt then pressing these keys on the numeric keypad (with NumLock on of course): 0178 then releasing Alt?    Though in this particular example CharMap shows you this and thus would avoid the need to open calc.   (Characterset: Unicode; Group by: Unicode Subrange; select Super/Subscript; see  ² )

Answer 4

I'm not sure why, when Microsoft reps come here and agree with me, and the Wikipedia article agrees with me, and the oft-sited fileformat.info page — all of them agree with me, yet you still have doubts..

Depends on what you want I guess.  Theory that doesn't work or practical procedures that do.   According to calc.exe   0xB2 = 178.   So have you tried pressing and holding  Alt then pressing these keys on the numeric keypad (with NumLock on of course): 0178 then releasing Alt?    Though in this particular example CharMap shows you this and thus would avoid the need to open calc.   (Characterset: Unicode; Group by: Unicode Subrange; select Super/Subscript; see  ² ) 

I already said I can input the Unicode character, just using Google Chrome, or Microsoft's Map Tile app, or any number of other applications — the [alt]+[numeric plus][hex code] method described everywhere on earth for how to do it in windows. But some work-around isn't a solution, it is just a way to work around some apparent configuration problem on my machine. The problem is application specific to some Microsoft windows applications. It seems like only part of my system is properly configured, or perhaps there is a DLL that is corrupted. This would make sense since it is specifically Microsoft windows programs that are failing — and not all of them are.

I'd like to ask you not to respond back again, Robert. I am looking for help from people who take the time to read and understand my problem.

Answer 5

Thanks for your reply, it was the closest to a solution that anyone provided for me. ... I never did get Method #1 to work on windows 8 though.

I've since upgraded to Windows 8.1, and now, neither do I get "²" nor the dark smiley face "☻" when I input the SUPERSCRIPT-TWO character with method number 1 in Internet Explorer.

I checked to ensure that the upgrade didn't revoke the registry key, but it did not. Might you have any idea as to how this can be resolved from Windows 8.1 now?