Inserting characters and symbols
You can insert characters, such as iconic symbols, phonetic characters, and characters from other alphabets, into your document. You can also find some characters and symbols quickly by composing two-character combinations using letters, numbers, or symbols found on every standard keyboard.
The following table lists character combinations and the resulting symbols, characters, or diacritical marks.
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Mark
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Characters
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Result
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‘ Acute
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‘e
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é
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, Cedilla
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,c
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ç
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^ Circumflex
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^a
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â
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` Grave
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`e
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è
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@ Ring above
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@a
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å
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/ Slash
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/o
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ø
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~ Tilde
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~n
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ñ
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” Umlaut
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“u
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ü
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The following table lists the character combinations, the result, and the number combination to use.
Creating custom symbols is another option. You can do so by superimposing two or more characters or symbols to create one character or symbol using the overstrike feature.
For example, you can combine characters to create mathematical symbols, language symbols, and other character combinations. You can also edit a custom symbol.
To insert a character or symbol |  |
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1.
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Click in the document where you want to insert a character or symbol.
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2.
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Click Insert
 Symbol. |
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3.
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Choose a symbol type or a character set from the Set list box.
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4.
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Choose a symbol from the Symbols list.
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5.
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Click one of the following:
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Insert — inserts the symbol and leaves the Symbols dialog box open
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Insert and close — inserts the symbol and closes the Symbols dialog box
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You can view all available characters by printing Charmap.wpd, a document stored in the Programs folder.
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You can also insert a symbol by clicking the Symbols
 button on the property bar and clicking a symbol. If the Symbols button is not visible on the property bar, you can add it. For information about adding a button to the property bar, see “Customizing the property bar.” |
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You can also insert a character or symbol by pressing Ctrl + W.
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To insert a character or symbol quickly | |
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1.
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Click in the document where you want to insert a character or symbol.
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2.
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Click Insert
Symbol. |
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3.
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Type a number combination in the Number box.
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4.
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Click one of the following:
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Insert — inserts the symbol and leaves the Symbols dialog box open
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Insert and close — inserts the symbol and closes the Symbols dialog box
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To create a custom overstrike symbol | |
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1.
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Click in a document.
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2.
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Click Format
Typesetting Overstrike. |
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3.
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In the Overstrike characters list box, type the characters you want to use as an overstrike, without spaces, in any order.
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If you want to use other symbols as part of the overstrike symbol, press Ctrl + W, and insert a symbol.
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4.
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Choose attributes for the symbol from the Overstrike characters list box.
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To edit a custom overstrike symbol | |
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1.
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Click Format
Typesetting Overstrike. |
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2.
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Click one of the following:
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Previous — displays the previous overstrike symbol
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Next — displays the next overstrike symbol
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3.
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In the Overstrike characters list box, edit the symbol.
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4.
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Choose attributes for the symbol from the Overstrike characters list box.
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Previous and Next show only the custom symbols in the active document.
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You can also edit a custom overstrike symbol by double-clicking an overstrike code in the Reveal Codes window. For information about Reveal Codes, see “Using Reveal Codes.”
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