A Haven for Vee

Saturday, May 19, 2012

My Alt Code Favorites ♥

I like ALT codes. I have my favorites. I'm sharing them today because a number of you have asked. A Google Search of ALT Codes will take you to many sites where you can print off a sheet for reference. My list works for PCs and you can Google for those that work with Macs.

Here are the ones I often use:

Alt 0233 = é — This comes in very handy for a gal who has a cat named Fioré.

Alt 14 = ♫ —  Makes a cute little bullet for a bullet list

Alt 13 = ♪ — Ditto

Alt 1 = ☺— instead of =D ( An equal sign with a capital D; I like them both.)

Alt 3 = ♥ — very sweet and if you use the colors offered, even sweeter ♥♥♥

Cooking Measurement Alts:

Alt 171 = ½ —  Cute, eh? Much better than 1/2

Alt 0190 = ¾

Alt 0188 = ¼

(I've had trouble getting other fractions to work. It's unfortunate because I'd really like the one-third fraction to be part of my collection. Edited to Add: ⅓ Hahahhahaha...one way or the other. The code is Alt 8531, which doesn't always work for me. It worked in my Office program, though, so I copied and pasted.)

Alt 0176 = ° — as in  Bake at 350°F

Alt 155 = ¢ — So much nicer sometimes than to spell out "cents."

So there you have it. Almost. May I fill you in on dashes?

There are three kinds of dashes: a regular dash, an en dash, and an em dash.

Wait! Where are you going? Come on back. I see your eyes glazing over. As a matter of fact, I know that look very well; I have worn it myself from time to time.

All three dashes are found in special symbols in any word processing program, but what about using Alt symbols for them so they can easily be used in blog writing?

- a regular dash found between the 0 and the +  = keys on the top row of a standard keyboard. It is used when both words are considered equal. For example: It was a top-heavy buffet. Top and heavy are equal in value, one is not more significant than the other, hence the use of the dash to connect them in this adjective describing buffet.

an en dash is about twice the width of a regular dash and should be used as one would use the word "through." For example: The fair will be October 1 – 7. October 1 - 7 is incorrect. Do you care? Probably not, though it looks so nice when properly done.

and an em dash, which is about three times the width of a regular dash and used as an arrow.You may note that that it is how I used them in my Alt list, a way to "arrow" from the symbol to my explanation. It is used for extra emphasis. For example: And in his hand he held — my heart. (Okay, that 's just freaky, but you get my point. You do get my point — right? )

Alt 0150= – (an en dash) 

Alt 0151 = — (an em dash) 

So that's it. Some of you will love it; some of you need a break from class. =D Do you use Alt Codes? Know any good ones?



P.S. I forgot an important thing. You PC users must press and hold the Alt key while typing in the number codes. Practice once and you'll be hooked! (Keep holding, it may be slightly delayed.)

35 comments:

  1. Vee,

    Going to Google for Mac shortly. I am still not back full time to blogging but hope to do more this summer when we get back to Maine. Your blog is just looking stunning!

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used the alt code for degrees just this morning ~ thanks to asking you about them several days ago. I had my handy, dandy printed sheet and found just what I needed. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Looks like I'll be Googling and printing off some alt codes.....to be honest I've NEVER used the alt key..thanks for the info...

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am most impressed by your alt code knowledge and your willingness to share it. I had no idea one could do all of these things.
    Til now my alt code capabilities consisted of the ♪ and the ♥.
    I suspect we will be seeing a lot of cute codes in use in the coming weeks. ☺ - oh, looky there, it worked!!
    Fascinating about the dashes. As they say, you learn something new everyday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow! I feel like I have had a class this morning! Thanks! I've never been able to remember all the directions for these little guys, plus I'm "mac challenged" I should look em up and learn them. I'm fond of using emdashes in my writing, but I did not know there was an endash––by that name at least. Have a good weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have a whole sheet of them, but I don't know that all of these are on it. I'm saving yours to add to my collection. Didn't know all about the dashes. That's quite a lesson for a Saturday morning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. This was good entertainment for the morning! Ah, but there are no alt keys on my keyboard! And the option key doesn't work the same way. I'll have to figure out how to make little hearts on a Mac!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good morning! I know this is ridiculous but I am soo excited to find this out...I had NO idea how people made those symbols. And I am a DEFINITE symbol loving gal. Can't wait to try this. Thank you so much for the lesson....Have a wonderful week-end!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Well, I am going to save this post! I have always wondered how to do all of those things. Thanks Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh thanks...I had no clue, but I am sure my son knows this...so thanks, I always wondered where people got those..now I need to go and figure this all out...great!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for these tips. More baby steps for me!

    ReplyDelete
  12. On my iMac, I see your "Alt Goodies." But can't be sure that all bloggers on Pc's, see my Mac "Alt Goodies."

    Just have to use them and ask..... "Do you see thus-and-so?" :-)

    Enjoy your weekend! I hope I can do more than just look out at it, from my windows. {{{{Allergy Time}}}} Eeeeeeek... ,-)

    "You cannot open a book
    without learning something."

    ~ Confucius~

    ReplyDelete
  13. I also had no idea how to make any of these. I'm going to have to practice!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Fun!

    I will have to copy these down.

    I love learning new things.

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is great info, Vee. Thanks!
    And that note card party was da bomb!
    Have a terrific weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Use the heart one often and always have to look up the other ones.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I use the degree sign and the music notes often. I never thought to search online for the rest of them though. You're so smart!!

    Hope you have a nice weekend! It's graduation weekend here, so lots of helping friends, writing cards and attending open houses. :D

    Hugs to you, friend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Vee, thank you for this listing! I have saved it and will refer to it often (unless I can memorize those I will use the most!) Great helpful post. Have a wonderful weekend. xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for this lesson Vee! I did not fall asleep in class either! Now I know how to do this. I always wanted to make the degree one for the temperature. Well I just tried to type 24 degrees and it didn't work. I have a PC. Maybe it won't work in the comments. I'll let you know if I need help. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Just what I needed. Really! Except when I try it, nothing shows up ??

    ReplyDelete
  21. Way cool...thank you for sharing Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Must-remember-the-wonders-of-local-honey! (To counteract allergies)

    I know this. But I forgot. Duhhhh me!

    And yes, I can access local honey. More duhhhhhhh-me's.

    "You cannot open a book
    without learning something."

    ~ Confucius~

    ReplyDelete
  23. I do like alt codes too but rarely use them. I should print out a list and then maybe I'd get the hang of them and maybe even eventually remember.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Glazed!! and stuttering....3 different dashes...oh mercy, I still don't know when to use the period before or after the quotation marks.

    I need a drink of wine....bye!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Before.

    Ceekay said, "I still don't know when to use the period before or after the quotation marks."

    Enjoy the wine! You made me laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The period before/after thing:I always was a before girl, then started seeing after in respectible publications. Now I fret each time. Groan.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have my list of alt codes taped up near the computer...and the only one I know off by heart is Alt + 0176 (degrees)...I need that one a lot! Now I added ¢ (cents) to my list. It only makes sense! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you, Vee! I've never used these alt keys and am now trying to learn more about them.

    ReplyDelete
  29. These codes will not work on my lap top (no "Num Lock" key?), but I have used them on my desk top computer. I need to print them out or book mark them for easy access, as I sometimes take the lazy way out and type the word "degrees" or other such things. (I, too, have lamented the lack of the one-third symbol.)

    ReplyDelete
  30. YOU are amazing and I had no clue!!! My editor/writer daughter knows all of these things and I have seen her use them a million times but she has never slowed down enough to tell me what they were! I am so clueless! Or I was!! When I get home I am going to print your post out and keep it for reference!

    Thank you for sharing this. It may be old hat for YOU but not for me!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. You think of the most interesting topics to blog about, Vee. I've used ALT keys for years, for typing in French and Spanish. But I would never think to blog about them. And you use fun ones, too!

    Alas, my new laptop has no number pad. But I'm hoping to hook up the laptop to my keyboard because I much prefer typing that way.

    Fun post, Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I think I always come away from your blog smarter or more entertained! I didn't even know what an Alt # was till now!
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  33. Were you an English teacher in a former life? This is an awesome post. As keyboards and software changed, I noticed the loss of some of these symbols. I accepted and moved on. You've given back a part of our world I thought was lost, thanks for sharing your secret!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I really had no idea! This is so exciting!

    Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.