Typing Accents
Joan McRae
We are so excited that you are learning French!
How to Type French Accents
PC users:
How to Type French Accents on a PC
The old-fashioned way, press control or alt depending on device and the code (must have numbers on the side on the keyboard):
| French Small Letter | Keyboard Shortcut for Small Letter | French Capital Letter | Keyboard Shortcut for Capital Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| à | Alt + 133 or 0224 | À | Alt + 0192 |
| â | Alt + 131 or 0226 | Â | Alt + 0194 |
| ä | Alt + 132 or 0228 | Ä | Alt + 142 |
| ç | Alt + 135 or 0231 | Ç | Alt + 128 |
| é | Alt + 130 or 0233 | É | Alt + 144 |
| è | Alt + 138 or 0232 | È | Alt + 0200 |
| ê | Alt + 136 or 0234 | Ê | Alt + 0202 |
| ë | Alt + 137 or 0235 | Ë | Alt + 0203 |
| î | Alt + 140 or 0238 | Î | Alt + 0206 |
| ï | Alt + 139 or 0239 | Ï | Alt + 0207 |
| ô | Alt + 147 or 0244 | Ô | Alt + 0212 |
| ù | Alt + 151 or 0249 | Ù | Alt + 0217 |
| û | Alt + 150 or 0251 | Û | Alt + 0219 |
| ü | Alt + 129 or 0252 | Ü | Alt + 154 |
Modified from French Accent Marks: What They Are and How to Type Them
Part 1
- Hold the control [ctrl] key down while you make the first stroke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release ctrl and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
| Accent | Keyboard Strokes | Note |
|---|---|---|
| l’accent aigüUse the apostrophe key.
|
é = ‘ then e | ÉUse the shift key when you hit the e to get a capital letter. |
| l’accent graveUse the ` key near the top, at the far left. | à = ` then a | ÀAgain, use the shift key when you hit the a for a capital letter. |
| è = ` then e | Same | |
| ù = ` then u | Same | |
| la cédilleUse the comma key. | ç = , then c | Same |
Part 2
- For these accents, hold the control [ctrl] key and the shift key down while you make the first stoke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release them and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
| Accent | Keyboard Strokes | Note |
|---|---|---|
| l’accent circonflexe
Use the 6 key. You see ^ above the 6; that’s why you hold both ctrl + shift to get this accent. |
â = ^ then a | Â
You can easily make capitals for these letters/accents as well. Just hold the shift key when you type the letter you want. |
| ê = ^ then e | ||
| î = ^ then i | ||
| ô = ^ then o | ||
| û = ^ then u | ||
| le trémaUse the colon key. | ë = : then e | Same |
| ï = : then i | ||
| ü = : then u | ||
| “l’e dans l’o”
Use the 7 key. You see & above the 7; hold both ctrl + shift to get this exotic letter (which doesn’t show up that often, fyi). |
œ = & then o | Same |
How to Type French Accents on a Mac
- Hold the alt key down while you make the first stroke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release ctrl and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
| Accent | Keyboard Strokes | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|
| l’accent aigü
Use the e key.
|
é = e then e | É
Use the shift key when you hit the e to get a capital letter. |
|
| l’accent grave
Use the ` key near the top, at the far left. |
à = ` then a | À
Again, use the shift key when you hit the a for a capital letter. |
|
| è = ` then e | Same | ||
| ù = ` then u | Same | ||
| la cédille
Use the c key. |
ç = c then c | Same | |
| l’accent circonflexe
Use the i key. |
â = i then a | Â
You can easily make capitals for these letters/accents as well. Just hold the shift key when you type the letter you want. |
|
| ê = i then e | |||
| î = i then i | |||
| ô = i then o | |||
| û = i then u | |||
| le tréma
Use the u key |
ë = u then e | Same | |
| ï = u then i | |||
| ü = u then u | |||
| “l’e dans l’o”
Use the q key. |
œ = q then o | Same | |
Mac users:
When all else fails, in Word, PowerPoint, and Google Docs:
Go to the “insert” tab and choose “symbol.” The letter/accent you want will be there!
Typing French Accents on Your Keyboard- PC / Mac
How to Type French Accents on a Phone:
Touch the letter key and keep your finger there lightly. You’ll get choices for the letter, each with different accents. Move your finger to the one you want and release.
Tutorial based on document and videos shared via Salt Lake Community College Canvas Course.
