Microsoft Word has built-in shortcuts for nearly every accented letter you’re likely to need, from é and ñ to ü and ç. On Windows, you press Ctrl with a punctuation key, let go, and then type the letter. On a Mac, you use the Option key the same way. If you can’t remember a shortcut, the Symbol menu lets you pick the character with your mouse. This guide covers every method, with a table of the most common shortcuts.
Quick answer
On Windows, press Ctrl + ‘ (apostrophe), release both keys, then type e to get é. Swap the punctuation key for other accents, as shown in the table below. On a Mac, press Option + E, release, then type the letter.
Method 1: Keyboard shortcuts in Word for Windows
Word’s accent shortcuts work in two steps. First press Ctrl (and sometimes Shift) with a punctuation key that looks like the accent. Release the keys. Then type the letter. For a capital letter, hold Shift when you type the letter.
| Accent | Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | Ctrl + ‘ then the letter | á é í ó ú |
| Grave | Ctrl + ` then the letter | à è ì ò ù |
| Circumflex | Ctrl + Shift + ^ then the letter | â ê î ô û |
| Tilde | Ctrl + Shift + ~ then the letter | ã ñ õ |
| Umlaut | Ctrl + Shift + : then the letter | ä ë ï ö ü |
| Cedilla | Ctrl + , then c | ç |
| Ring | Ctrl + Shift + @ then a | å |
| Slash | Ctrl + / then o | ø |
| Ligatures | Ctrl + Shift + & then a, o, or s | æ œ ß |
| Inverted marks | Ctrl + Alt + Shift + ? or ! | ¿ ¡ |
The grave key (`) is usually just left of the 1 key. The shortcuts that use Shift need it because ^, ~, :, @, and & are Shift characters on a US keyboard.
Step by step example: typing ñ
- Click where you want the letter.
- Hold Ctrl and Shift, and press the ~ key (the same key as `).
- Release all three keys.
- Type n. Word inserts ñ.
Method 2: Insert > Symbol
If you’d rather click than memorize shortcuts:
- Go to the Insert tab and click Symbol on the far right.
- Recently used characters appear in the small grid. If yours isn’t there, click More Symbols.
- In the Subset menu, choose Latin-1 Supplement. Most common accented letters are in this group.
- Click the letter you need, then click Insert.
The Symbol dialog also shows the shortcut for the selected character at the bottom, which is a handy way to learn the ones you use often. For other characters, see our guide on inserting symbols in Word.
Method 3: Unicode codes with Alt + X
Word can turn a character code into the character. Type the code, then press Alt + X right after it. For example, type 00e9 and press Alt + X to get é. Press Alt + X again to turn it back into the code. Some common codes: 00e1 (á), 00f1 (ñ), 00fc (ü), and 00e7 (ç).
Method 4: Alt codes on the number pad
If your keyboard has a separate number pad, hold Alt and type a code on the number pad, then release Alt. For example, Alt + 0233 gives é and Alt + 0241 gives ñ. These codes work in most Windows apps, not just Word, but they don’t work with the number row above the letters.
Method 5: Accent marks in Word for Mac
On a Mac, use the Option key, release, and then type the letter:
- Option + E, then the letter: acute (é)
- Option + `, then the letter: grave (è)
- Option + I, then the letter: circumflex (ê)
- Option + N, then the letter: tilde (ñ)
- Option + U, then the letter: umlaut (ü)
- Option + C: ç
You can also press and hold a letter key on a Mac. A small menu of accented versions appears, and you pick one by clicking it or pressing the number shown under it.
Method 6: Use a different keyboard layout
If you type in another language often, adding a keyboard layout is faster than shortcuts. The United States-International layout in Windows lets you type ‘ then e for é, for example. Our guide to typing accents on Windows 11 explains how to add it, and it works in every app.
Tips
- Word’s AutoCorrect list lives in File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, where you can see or add entries.
- Create your own AutoCorrect entry for names you type often, so the accent appears every time.
- If a shortcut types the wrong character, make sure you released the first keys before typing the letter.
- Working in Google Docs instead? See our guide on putting an accent over a letter in Google Docs.
Related: Use the Windows emoji and symbol panel.
Frequently asked questions
Why don’t Word’s accent shortcuts work in other apps?
The Ctrl shortcuts are a Word and Outlook feature. In other apps, use Alt codes, the Windows touch keyboard, or the US-International layout.
How do I type a capital accented letter?
Use the same shortcut, then hold Shift while you type the letter. For example, Ctrl + ‘ then Shift + E gives É.
Do these shortcuts work in Word on the web?
Support is more limited in the browser version. If a shortcut doesn’t work there, use Insert > Symbol or the Windows emoji panel (Windows + period), which has a symbols tab.
Summary
- Press Ctrl plus the accent’s punctuation key, release, and type the letter.
- Use Insert > Symbol if you don’t know the shortcut.
- Try Alt + X with a Unicode code for any character.
- On a Mac, use Option shortcuts or press and hold a key.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.