The term Alt codes is used to refer to a number of Unicode input methods that allow characters to be entered by typing a character's code point in concert with the Alt key.
Usage
- In Microsoft Windows, symbols and accented characters not found on the keyboard are inserted by holding down the Alt key and typing a number on the numeric keypad; see Windows Alt keycodes. Characters are stored on your computer as numbers; each letter or symbol is represented by a number. To make sure that text looks the same on all computers, there is a standard called Unicode that defines which numbers are mapped to which characters. Due to the number of alphabets in the world, Unicode defines tens of thousands of characters.
- A variant of alt codes are Alt-X codes; in WordPad and Microsoft Word 2002/2003 for Windows, the keystroke
Alt + xwill convert a hexadecimal number to the corresponding character; see Unicode input methods. - The Linux console supports Alt codes using the same method as with Windows.
Other input methods
- A variety of codepoint-based input methods that do not use the term alt codes are provided by various programs and environments; see Unicode input methods for a full list. Cardbox Software has created a free utility that extends the alt codes system to non-microsoft applications.
- Entering characters with a utility like Quick Key (download) is much preferable to memorizing alt codes, although Quick Key also excels as an alt code reference. Proprietary alternatives include PopChar and FrKeys.
- For heavy usage that justifies relearning key positions, a new Keyboard Layout is recommended.
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Utilities
- Quick Key (download) (Open Source Keyboard Extension)
- Unicode Input Utility (Allows alt-codes on all programs)
- PopChar Demo Version (Similar to Quick Key)
- FrKeys
See also