Using ALT codes with a Bluetooth numeric keypad

Question

I use ALT codes nearly everyday to type special characters (particularly accented letters as I am a Modern Languages student). For example é is created through enabling NumLock, and then pressing ALT0233. It only works with a numeric keypad, whether it be on the right hand side of the keyboard or the little blue numbers that are used with the FN button.

This has been working fine on my 15.6" laptop which has a numeric keypad included, but I have recently bought a smaller laptop which does not have a numeric keypad - neither on the right hand side, nor through use of the FN button.

Being unable to type accents in lectures and seminars has become increasingly difficult; I am constantly using suggestions to correct mistakes, or highlighting incorrect characters to correct later.

I therefore bought the 'Number Pad' (a Bluetooth numeric keypad) from Microsoft in the hope that I would be able to use that, alongside ALT codes, to type special characters. Unfortunately it doesn't work either, or at least I cannot make it work.

Does anyone know if or how I could make the numeric keypad work? I bought it specifically for this purpose and it would be therefore very disappointing, and a waste of money, if it does not work. Similarly, I bought a smaller laptop specifically for the purpose of easier transportation, so using the bigger laptop is also not an option. I know there are other ways to type special characters, but using ALT codes is honestly the easiest method, especially as I already know all the relevant codes.

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that you are facing issues with ALT codes

In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• What is the make and model number of your PC?

Meanwhile, I would suggest you to follow the steps mentioned below and check if the issue persists:

Method 1: Change settings

• Open Settings and navigate to Ease of Access > Mouse
• Under Control your mouse with a keypad, disable to check mark for Only use Mouse Keys when Num Lock is on and check if the issue persists: ****

Method 2: Edit registry

**Note:**Important this section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs.

Follow the steps to take backup of registry.  

• Enter regedit in the Run window and click OK to open Registry Editor.
• In Registry Editor, expand the keys with the following path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Input Method

• Right click on it and create a new string value called EnableHexNumpad with the value of 1
• Restart the PC for changes to apply effect

Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.

Vineet Kumar

Microsoft Community – Moderator

Answer 2

Hi,

Thank you for your response.

Unfortunately neither Method 1 nor 2 helped.

I have a Dell Inspiron 14 and the Operating System is Windows 11.

Answer 3

I too had issues which brought me to this page. I decided to experiment a bit and found (at least on my MSI Prestige 14 Evo) that if I pushed alt+fn+[code], it worked. You might try that and see if it works on your computer.