Want to quickly insert a symbol / character into a doc, spreadsheet, email, etc., but don't want to scroll through a table searching for the right symbol? Using the ALT key with a combination of numbers can make the process a bit quicker and simpler. Here's how:
This only works with number keys on the number pad, it won't work with the numbers at the top on the keyboard. Hold down the ALT key, hit the 1 number key then release the ALT key - you will get a smiley face (It may not be as large as you want it unless you enlarge the font.) ☺ Hold down the ALT key, type 223, release the ALT key - you get a filled in box. ▀ Don't release the ALT key till you've typed all the numbers in the code – which may include up to 5 numbers. There are LOTS more symbols available - and most even work in emails and websites. ALT-3 = ♥ ALT-160 = á ALT-168 = ¿ ALT-26 = → ALT-164 = ñ ALT-173 = ¡ Some fonts don't include all the symbols. Arial or Times Roman seem to be the best fonts to use for inserting a symbol. You may need to increase the font size to make the character more visible. Don't forget to reset the font size as you continue to type your document. Many non-English language characters can be inserted with the ALT key, like the "N" with a tilda over it (ñ = ALT-164), in Spanish or the French C cedille (Ç = ALT-128). There are special character that may be used in specific professions, like the § (ALT-21) character used in legal documents; or the yen character ¥ (ALT-157) used in international finance. There is a whole chart of musical symbols at https://altcodeunicode.com/alt-codes-musical-note-instrument-symbols/ There are plenty of websites with ALT-key charts. You can Google "alt-key chart" to find them. Here are a few links: www.alt-codes.net www.theworldofstuff.com/characters www.tedmontgomery.com/tutorial/altchrc.html Charts are also often included in the index of software manuals. It's handy to memorize a few of the number combinations and/or keep a chart nearby so you can insert them quickly - keep a chart of most-used symbols on your desk: Here are some I use most often:
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I had a heart attack in May 2021. When I was in the hospital in Franklin, KY, and later in Bowling Green, KY, I was appalled by how many of the healthcare staff were vaccine-refusers. I started cardiac rehab soon after I got out of the hospital. The nurse, an R.N. (!) was also a vax-refuser. You'd think that would be a mandatory requirement to employment in a hospital.
Of course, I was fully vaccinated by this time so I wasn't worried so much about myself, but how many people did they come in contact with who weren't or couldn't be vaccinated?! Boggles the mind! Frankly my dear, I don't give even a third of a damn about the health of people who refuse vaccination. I don't care even one little bit about whether they contract COVID or not. I am fully vaccinated, but I still wear my mask to prevent bringing microbes home to my 84-year-old sister and protect myself from the admittedly remote possibility of contracting the delta variant of COVID. The fact that most of the people who contract COVID now are the unvaccinated should prove that vaccines work, but to some, not so much. Some people prefer to get their information from idiots or "influencers" who want to politicize health care information. Too bad facts are facts. |
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