Alt key codes in Windows 8

reinbeau

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South of Boston, MA
I'm on a new Dell that came with Windows 8 preinstalled, so this isn't an upgrade. I can't use the alt key to get the old symbol/codes. I always have typed 'alt-0176 on the keypad to get the degree symbol - it doesn't work anymore. Can anyone help me figure out what combo works now? When I type alt-0, the minute I hit the 0, there's a big '1' that appears on my monitor and that's it. It's like an overlay. Has this functionality been removed? Is there any character map type app that can I can copy and paste from? Any help would be appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows8 and WinXP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 660
    CPU
    I5
    Memory
    8 gigs
You can type in character map at the start screen...:D
 

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It works ° on mine.
as long as you have the number lock on and using the numeric keypad instead of alpha/ numeric keys it should work for you.
just my 1½¢ (adjusted for inflation)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
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    16 GB
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The interesting thing here is I don't have a Num Lock key on this keyboard. The keypad works, but you can't turn it on or off. I guess I'll have to get a different keyboard, it's what came with the computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows8 and WinXP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 660
    CPU
    I5
    Memory
    8 gigs
Do you have a full keypad with separate numbers, or are the numbers part of the QWERTY keys? On my Lenovo, they're the latter. So I have to first use the Fn + NmLk to get the numbers locked, then use Alt + nnn to do the character code.
 

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System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
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    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
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    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
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    4GB / 8GB
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    15.6"
Windows 8 has done a very extensive makeover of the keystrokes.

Let me interject that anyone who expects to get the full benefit of Windows 8 and be productive is only deluding themselves if they do not go to the book store and buy a Windows 8 book. In my case I went to Barnes & Noble and bought Windows 8 step by step by Ciprian Rusen and Joli Bellaw. On pages 628 thru 632, 5 pages, they list the keystrokes. The book lists for $29.99 but Barnes had a special promo 30% off.


I'm assuming that the degree sign is being used in word processing. At least that's my input reference here. In my Microsoft Word 2007, up across the top there is the task bar. By clicking on "insert" over on the right side there is a box containing selections "equations" and "symbols". Clicking on "symbols" activates a drop down menu with a huge array of all sorts of symbols for various disciplines, scientific, math, languages, more. Highlighting the desired symbol then clicking "insert" places it into the text.

I tried your alt, numeric and it didn't work for me. When I got to the number (1) one it opened a drop down Menu. I also tried the alternate suggestion, numbers lock and th numeric keypad and hat also did not work for me.

The degree symbol has a multi application, temperature, mathematic angle or navigation, compass heading.

Since the symbols in the word processing won't be available when typing a post for a forum or an E-mail, the text can be created in the word document then copied and pasted into the desired location.

A moderator on another Windows 8 forums website created a clickable link to the new keystrokes. I copied it and printed, keeping it close for reference. I
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
wetibbe ▬ Let me interject that anyone who expects to get the full benefit of Windows 8 and be productive is only deluding themselves if they do not go to the book store and buy a Windows 8 book.

Are you for real? ? Besides the expense, not everyone can comprehend what those books say.
Did you happen to click the 'STORE' tile on Windows 8 Start Panel? There are a couple FREE Windows 8 books in there.

I'd like to interject that anyone who believes one book has all the answers for Windows 8; has been deluded.

Degrees°Symbol via Alt+numeric keys does not require Microsoft Word 2007 but it will work in Microsoft 2007 as an alternative to the way you mentioned as gospel. Actually; your method is an alternative to the Alt+ method.

I see you haven't been a club member for long so WELCOME ! To our club with more knowledge than 100 books.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
reinbeau - Num Lock is the key above 7 on numeric keypad.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
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    1 TB WD
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    550w
'-

'-0176

1'-0176'

'alt-

'0176

'
The poster typed 'alt-0176

The " ' " is on the last key right on the second row adjacent to "enter". It is the lower of two symbols. the upper is ( " ).

The "alt" can either be spelled out "a l t" or mean press the alt key. According to Windows 8 convention it isn't necessary to hold down the alt key after pressing it.

The symbol " - " is found on the alpha keyboard. It is the last key right top row next to backspace.


The symbol " - " is also found on the numeric keyboard upper right top row. It is the minus sign.

I tried every combination of keystrokes. With numbers lock. Without numbers lock. NONE worked for me. I got smiley faces, drop down menus, text boxes, anything but a degree symbol.

So trying to decipher what the poster means is not possible without an explanation of the PRECISE procedures, keystrokes and combinations thereof.

As to who can afford the book - I can. Barnes & Noble has a dozen Windows 8 books costing from $8 to $35.

My post was not intended to step on or impugn anyone. The procedure DOES NOT WORK FOR ME !

If anyone wants to give a cogent explanation that can be understood I'll try again.

Buying a book, furthermore, doesn't in any way overshadow, slander, defame, degrade, cheat on, the expertise on this forum. It's a supplement to learning.

Thank you for the welcome. Much appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
Do not press - or + keys.

Press and hold down the Alt key
1. While holding down the Alt key,
2. Press the 0 (zero) key on numeric keypad
3. Press the 1 (one) key on numeric keypad
4. Press the 7 (seven) key on numeric keypad
5. Press the 6 (six) zero key on numeric keypad

It has to be on the Numeric Keypad. Not the number keys above Alphabet keys.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
If anyone wants to give a cogent explanation that can be understood I'll try again.

I apologize wetibbe. I had to google the definition of cogent. Those little words always give my 6th grade education a run for it's money.

It was not working for you because even though you were right about the placement of all those keys. Alt+ or Alt- or whatever variation you choose to use; you DO NOT PRESS the + or - keys. They are placeholders for the word and.

In other words Hold down the Alt key and press the number 0176 on the numeric keypad and Release the Alt key.
Thanks for teaching me a new word today.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
The key above the 7 on my keyboard is a Clear key. This is not a typical keyboard, obviously, even though it's the basic keyboard Dell supplied me when I purchased this Inspiron 660 desktop.

Please understand I am no newbie to computers, Windows, or understanding technology (and yes, I have purchased a Windows 8 book). The ability to use the alt key and the numeric keypad has nothing to do with word processing. This is something I've been doing for YEARS in Windows, on computers going back to the beginning of windows. You can type these alt key characters into any text box. Copying and pasting out of a word processing program, or Character Map, is at best, a kludge, if you know these codes - it's much quicker to type alt-0176 for the degree symbol, or alt-0162 for the cent symbol - I know many of them by heart. But they don't seem to work in Windows 8.

I am going to try a different keyboard. I will report back. I don't mean to sound churlish, but some of the answers I've received seem to be as the result of not understanding what I'm talking about - a basic Windows function, really. Perhaps they took the ability out of Windows 8, if they did, that's a damned shame.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows8 and WinXP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 660
    CPU
    I5
    Memory
    8 gigs
reinbeau ▬ I understand fully what you are saying and I have been there. Not all keyboards are created equal.
What model is your Dell? Is there a model # on bottom of keyboard?

It seems I had a regular keyboard a few years ago. That I had to press Fn key + another key to lock numbers.
That's why I'm asking your model #'s. There may be something in your Dell manual.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
I was checking something else and found this, anything is possible.

Check these instructions and make sure the mouse keys are not enabled.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...-mouse-pointer
Thank you but no, they're not enabled. I searched around on the start screen (I don't look at that much, I've got EnhanceMy8 installed so I see a normal desktop) and I don't see a manual specific to the Dell. I turned over the keyboard, it has a lot of numbers on a small label:

CN-ON8WF8-71581-2AC-00IK-A00
Made in China
DP/N ON8Wf8

Not much to go on. It's a very basic keyboard. The Dell is the Inspiron 660, has the I5 processor and 8 gigs of RAM, it's nice....There's got to be a way to actualy turn on num lock. I'll keep searching, maybe I'll call Dell tomorrow....

ETA Well, I've read a few other people having the same issue with no num lock key, and basically Dell says 'well, you cheaped out and didn't pay for a decent keyboard'. Really. So you have to pay $59 or $79 for a decent keyboard from Dell. Good to know. I'll think twice now before I buy another one. I've always had good luck with Dell, but this has soured me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows8 and WinXP
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron 660
    CPU
    I5
    Memory
    8 gigs
° ° °

Opa !!!!!!! Success, now it does work both in this post response and also in Microsoft Word.

Doing it without using the numbers lock kicks me off the site and back to my home page !!!!!

Thank you pcRAT for your patience and assistance.

When I prepared my Christmas mailing labels one was for Spain. The apartment floor was Piso X °. That gave me a very hard time but now, thanks to you, it's much easier.
___________________________________________________________________________

Reinbeau:

Yes it still works !

I find it hard to believe that there isn't a numbers lock on your Dell keyboard. That's a first for me. But I'm a Hewlett Packard man. I've purchased probably a couple dozen computers over the last 20 - 30 years for various purposes and people.

My HP's and Presario's always came with a wired keyboard and mouse. Whenever the keyboard degraded I bought Logitech's and Microsoft's. Then I got tired of the wires and went wireless. That was a giant step for me, happy to get rid of those wires. The "sender"/"transmitter" is a plug in & play to USB port. The most recent about half the size of a postage stamp.

My clear preference is the Logitech. It's a MK700/MK710. It has programmable dual purpose F keys for home page, mail, search, magnifier and several other. Also volume control. And a calculator key.

For my last three computers I went to Costco and bought a wireless keyboard and left the HP keyboard in the box unused. I think they cost around $69 - $79.
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
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