There are special typing sequences called Alt codes that you can use to access special characters that don't necessarily appear on your standard computer keyboard. In Canada, it's handy to know some of these alt codes so you can type French accents easily.
Alt codes work like this: you hold down (and keep holding down) the "alt" key and then you type in a number while holding it down. Voila, the special character appears in our document. It's très cool.
When we say type "alt", we mean hold down the alt key, not type the letters A-L-T
Type "alt" 130 to get an é with a accent aigu (remember to holding down the alt key while typing)
Type "alt" 138 to get an è with accent grave - è - comme ça! C'est bon, non?
Type "alt" 144 to get a capital É with accent aigu
(You just typed some other combinations to see what came up didn't you?)
Type "alt" 133 to get an à with an accent grave
Type "alt" 160 to get an á with an accent grave
Type "alt" 0192 to get À
Type "alt" 0193 to get Á
Type "alt" 0194 to get Â
Type "alt" 135 to get a ç with a tail (it's called a cedille)
Type "alt" 128 for a capital Ç with a tail
Time to Flex your Circonflex
Type "alt" 131 for â
Type "alt" 0194 for Â
Type "alt" 136 to get an ê with an accent circonflexe
Type "alt" 0202 for Ê
Type "alt" 140 for î
Type "alt" 0206 for Î
Type "alt" 147 to get an ô with an accent circonflexe
Type "alt" 0212 for Ô
Type "alt" 151 for ù
Type "alt" 0218 for Ú
Remembering the alt codes for just a few of these commonly occurring accented letters with stop your writing from looking so drôle (funny or amusing).
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