Typing Spanish on a U.S. Keyboard

The keystroke combinations in the table below allows a person using a standard US keyboard to input the various special characters and accents required for correct punctuation in Spanish. These key sequences should work in all common word processing applications, and require only a standard US keyboard with the numeric keypad.

The “number lock” should be engaged on your keyboard. This is usually done by pressing a key labeled “Num Lock” and usually lights up a light or indicator of some sort to show it is engaged.

Each of the sequences is entered on the numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is the number panel usually located on the right hand side of your keyboard. (On most laptops, this will be more difficult because the numeric keypad is superimposed on the regular keyboard and requires holding down yet another key.)

While entering the three-digit sequence, hold down the ALT key while typing it. When the last digit is entered, the special character will appear once the ALT key is released.

Key Sequences:

á

ALT+160

é

ALT+130

í

ALT+161

ó

ALT+162

ú

ALT+163

ñ

ALT+164

Ñ

ALT+165

¿

ALT+168

¡

ALT+173

Ü

ALT+129

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