How to Easily Type an Accented E (é)

Working for clients in New Orleans and the historically French gulf south, a marketing copy writer must constantly use French accents (e.g. é).  There are keyboard shortcuts you can use to easily do this.

Microsoft Word

When typing in Microsoft Word, hold down the CTRL key + the apostrophe key (‘) + the “e” key all at once.

You can find all of these shortcuts in MS Word by going up to the top menu, selecting INSERT >> SYMBOL , then find the symbol you are looking for.   Click on the symbol and then click on the SHORTCUT KEY button.  In the next box, you will find the shortcut in the “Current Keys” box.  From there you can set up your own shortcut keys too.

Other Windows-Based Programs

There is a universal way to add the é in other Windows programs.  Make sure the numeric keypad (usually on the right side of your keyboard) is working, then hold down the “ALT” key while typing in the string of numbers “0233.”  Then let go of the alt key.

There is a helpful list of these codes here.

Mac

When typing in any Mac program, hold down the Option key + the “e” key.  let go and type the “e” key once more.

To find more characters on a Mac, open up a program and find a national flag at the top right of the screen.  Click on the flag and select “Show Character Pallette.”