ACCENTED LETTERS

Using the Keyboard/Autocorrect

Using the Numerical Keypad

Using the Special Character option

Keyboard/Autocorrect options

Writer will automatically create fractions if they are in the autocorrect ie 1/4 will become ¼. 3/16 however will have to be manually created or you can use a font that has fractions. Unlike Word, OpenOffice doesn't have the CTRL key shortcuts. You can create your own shortcuts using macro's or autocorrect.

To use Autocorrect follow the steps below. These examples are using Times New Roman - Open Type. Not all fonts have the complete character maps so check which font you are using to make sure it has the symbols you need by going to Character Map and selecting the font.

In this example we will change ae to ǽ

With Open Office Write already open. Open the Character Map that is in Windows (XP, Start > All Programs > Accessories > System tools > Charcter Map, Vista and Windows 7, Start button, type Character in the Programs and click on Character Map.) Change your Font to Times New Roman and scroll down to find ǽ. Click on it and then Select > Copy. The symbol has now been copied. Go back to OO Write.

In Write go to Tools > Autocorrect options.

In the Replace box type in ae (or the letters you wish to assign to the Autocorrect option, don't use word for this as it will replace then in normal typing). In the With box paste (Ctrl + V) the ǽ symbol.

Click on New and you have created your Autocorrect. Whenever you type ae it will change too ǽ.

Another common use for Accent Marks is the é in résumé. You can use autocorrect for this or use the numerical keypad show below. We will create an autocorrect just to show how it can be done using letters and apostrophes etc.

Go to the character map and select the é. Open up the Autocorrect again and this time type in e' in the Replace and résumé in the With, click on New and then OK.

Now whenever you need to type in Resume you can type in e' and it will change to Résumé.

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Using the Numerical Keypad and ASCII

To place accented letters into your document you can use the ALT key and the corresponding number from the Numerical Keypad (ensure that the Num Lock light is on, this option will only work well with full size keyboards that have a numerical keypad separate). Below is a list of the common accented letters and other symbols.

Alt + Keypad Number Accented Letter Alt + Keypad Number Accented Letter

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Using Insert Special Character.

Another method of placing Accented characters and other symbols is to use the Special Character option from the Insert menu.

In this dialog box you have many more options to use. Scrolling through will show all the available symbols or you can jump to a specific subset.

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