Character Map Savvy

Sometimes when I am typing E-mail messages in Outlook Express, I brag a lot about the nice weather we are having, especially when it is 72°, and I need the degrees symbol. I have just been typing out the word "degrees" because the symbol is not on the keyboard. Well using the symbol is very simple once you know how. I knew about this because I always used résumé and c/o [editor’s note: my printer would not print the symbol that looks like c/o so you are seeing the letters c/o instead of the symbol] in my resume writing days, but my friend David Henry recently brought this to my attention.

Even though I don’t cook or write mathematical formulas any more, I use fractions now and then. Which looks better 1-1/2 cups flour or 1½ cups flour? In MS Word it will automatically convert to the neater format but not so in your E-mail. The trick is to hold down the Alt key while typing in the code 0189 for the ½ or 0176 for the degrees symbol (°). This must be entered on the numeric keypad on the right of the keyboard and the Num Lock must be set on.

There are a few other symbols or "special characters" I use from time to time in the same way and so I keep a sticker on my PC desk for easy reference. Here is a collection for your consideration:

0188 ¼

0189 ½

0190 ¾

0183 · Middle Dot

It is so easy to do by using the characters in the Character Map. They seemed to be hidden, but you can find them at Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Character Map. (In Windows 95, skip System Tools). You can change the font to get the characters for the specified font you are using. Use the Font drop-down box to select the type font. For instance, select Times New Roman. The display shows all 224 characters available in the selected font. Place the mouse pointer on a box of your choice and left click to see an enlarged version. If it is the special character you need, write down the Alt Plus formula found in the lower right corner.

This trick should work in any Windows application such as word processing or E-mail. Alternatively, you can click the character you want; hit Select, then Copy to place it on the clipboard. Back in your document, paste it at the cursor position. You can select several characters and place them in the clipboard if you wish.

[Editor's Note:  The remaining examples will not display on the Internet as characters and would have to be changed to graphics to be seen, so they are omitted here.]  u