No Insert Symbol Shortcut Keys for Some Character Sets

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a

SYMPTOM

Word 6.0 for Windows contains predefined shortcut keys for inserting special characters. When you choose Symbol from the Insert menu, these shortcut keys are displayed for any font characterized as being "normal text" and whose character number is larger that ^0127. Any font not characterized as being normal text does not display a shortcut key unless the key has been manually assigned.

MORE INFORMATION

Normal text includes typefaces belonging to the Roman, Swiss, Modern, or Script font families, such as Arial (Swiss) or Times New Roman (Roman). Decorative typefaces such as Edda, Harrington, AugsBurger Initials, WingDings, and Symbol do not display predefined shortcut keys.

You can define shortcut keys, even for fonts that do not display predefined keys. If you assign a new shortcut key to a specific character, the shortcut key will appear in the Symbol dialog box.

Shortcut keys are not displayed for any characters below ^0127 because the character can be directly typed from the keyboard.

The shortcut keys that display for normal text can be used with all fonts that don't display the shortcut keys. For example, the copyright symbol is available through the shortcut key CTRL+ALT+C in all fonts that support it at position ^0169. Even though no shortcut key is displayed, Decorative fonts such as WingDings will substitute the character that is at position ^0169 when CTRL+ALT+C is pressed.

You can insert symbols in a Word document in three ways.

Method 1: Use the predefined shortcut key.

Method 2: Use the character number in combination with the ALT key. For

          example, press ALT+0190 to insert a 3/4 symbol (type the numbers
          on the numeric keypad with NUM LOCK on).

          select the symbol that you want. Choose to insert the selected
          character, then close the Symbol dialog box.