How to make accented characters in Spanish & Italian using Windows programs.  Macintosh info at the bottom of page.

Almost all Windows programs will let you put in accented characters with the ASCII code (the number sequence assigned to each character the computer can display). Programs that can do this include Eudora e-mail and NKU webmail. To do this,

• be sure that Num Lock is on
• hold down the Alt key & type in the code on the numeric key pad.
• release the Alt key & the character should appear.

The codes for common characters in Spanish & Italian are as follows:

Spanish
á	160
é	130
í	161
ó	162
ú	163
ñ Ñ	164 165
¿ ¡	168 173
« »	174 175

Italian
à	133
é è	130 138
í ì	161 141
ò	149
ù	151
« »	174 175

Most word processing programs such as Word & Corel (Wordperfect) have ways to include these characters using the Insert button on the tool bar. Look in the pull-down menu for “symbol” or “character” to find what’s available. Often when you click on the desired character, the program will give you a short cut, a two or three key sequence to insert the program without going through the Alt + code sequence.

Macintosh computers

Here's how some students have had success. 

       Hold down Alt & press "n".  Release both keys and type "n" (no quote marks) to get ñ

        Hold down the Option key & press "e".  Release & type the letter you want to have an acute (Spanish-style) accent. 

If the method doesn't work, “ask” the program either through “insert” or “help”.