Photoshop Elements >
Characters & Symbols
There are many characters and symbols not on your keyboard, such
as ä, ©, and ™.
You can often enter these characters and symbols by pressing
Alt (Windows), or Option (Mac), plus a keystroke.
Sometimes, the particular font that you're using may not have
the character or symbol that you need.
If so, change the font.
If you're using a Windows computer, go to
Windows.
If you're using a Mac computer, go to
Mac.
Use the numeric keypad—not the numbers above the letter keys.
If you're using a laptop, and there's no numeric keypad, press
and hold the Fn key before performing the commands below.
Common Characters
Here are some commonly used symbols.
For a copyright symbol, press Alt + 0169.
For a trademark symbol, press Alt + 0153.
For a bullet, press Alt + 0149.
Read the next section for more specific directions.
There are more character codes at
Windows - Alt Key Numeric Codes.
Windows
Numeric Keypad
Hold Alt and enter the four-digit number using the numeric keypad.
The Number Lock (NmLk) must be on.
No Numeric Keypad
If you're using a laptop that doesn't have a numeric keypad, press
Fn + Alt + 0169.
If that doesn't work, do the following.
Turn on Number Lock.
Number Lock turns some of the letter and number keys into
number keys.
Look for the keys with small numbers in the bottom right
corner.
Next, press and hold Alt, and then enter 0169.
Be sure to turn Number Lock off!
Mac
Press Option + g.
Other Characters
For other symbols and characters, use the Windows Character Map.
To open the Character Map window, do one of the following.
Method #1
1) Go to the Windows Start menu, and do one of the following.
• Click the Start button.
• Press Ctrl + Esc.
• Press the Windows key.
2) Press r, or click Run.
3) Enter charmap.
4) Click OK.
Method #2
1) Go to the Windows Start menu.
Do one of the following.
a) Click the Start button.
b) Press Ctrl + Esc.
c) Press the Windows key.
2) Select Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map.
Using the Character Map Window
1) Select the character or symbol that you need.
The Alt plus keystroke command, if there is one, appears in the
lower-right corner of the Character Map window.
If there's a command, go to
Command.
If not, go to No Command.
2) Remember the numbers of the command.
3) Minimize the Character Map window.
4) Select the Type tool.
6) Press Alt + the numbers of the command.
No Command
2) Click Select.
3) Click Copy.
4) Minimize the Character Map window.
5) Select the Type tool.
6) Click on the screen.
7) Press Ctrl + v.
Common Characters
For a copyright symbol, press Option + g.
For a trademark symbol, press Option + 2.
For a bullet symbol, press Option + 8.
There are more at
Accent Codes for the Macintosh.
The PopChar
X program displays character and symbol Option plus keystroke
commands.
Other Characters
You can use the Character Palette.
Do the following.
1) Select the Type tool.
2) Click on the screen.
3) Go to Finder.
4) Go to Edit > Special Characters.
5) Open the View menu at the top of the Character Palette window.
6) Select the type of character or symbol that you need from
the left column.
7) Double click the character or symbol that you need in the
right column.
Or:
Select the character or symbol, and click Insert.
International Menu with the Flag Icon
You can add the Character Palette to the menu bar by doing the
following.
1) Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > International.
2) Click Input Menu.
3) Select Character Palette.
A flag icon will appear in the menu bar.
Chinese Characters in the Shapes Library
The characters represent the twelve-year cycle of the
Chinese zodiac.
| 1 |
子 |
Rat |
| 2 |
丑 |
Ox |
| 3 |
寅 |
Tiger |
| 4 |
卯 |
Rabbit |
| 5 |
辰 |
Dragon |
| 6 |
巳 |
Snake |
| 7 |
午 |
Horse |
| 8 |
未 |
Goat |
| 9 |
申 |
Monkey |
| 10 |
酉 |
Rooster |
| 11 |
戌 |
Dog |
| 12 |
亥 |
Pig |
