How can I add German Umlauts and special characters to my computer?

Question

I am not after any German lessons, I speak and write the language very wellI. I would just like to be able to use those characters when contacting my German friends. Is there a site where could download just those few typically German letters?

Answer 1

Go to "Start" - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Character Map - send a shortcut to your desktop. You'll find all typically German and many other characters.

Answer 2

If you use an American keyboard, the easiest way to plug in umlauts and other symbols is to use the Language Bar which comes with Windows. I slapped in a ´how to´ guide in sources if you're not familiar with this.

Basically using the Language Bar, you can change the input language to your computer, allowing you to write as if you are on a German (or Japanese, or Canadian French, or anything else) keyboard. Obviously, a German speaker uses umlauts far more often than, say, an Englishman, so therefore the umlauted letters get moved to a more convenient place (in this case, they cover keys like {[ etc.)

When using it, the bar will only change the language of whatever window you had open at the time, not your entire computer. It's also not permanent .. you just go back down to the little blue DE (German) and change it back to EN (English)!

Hopefully this helps. I know I find it easier than copying and pasting all the time!

Answer 3

If you're using Microsoft Windows and a QWERTY keyboard, use ALT + where is a 3 or 4- digit number typed on the numeric keypad where the 3-digit bit is 128-255.

E.g. to get o-umlaut (ö) hold down ALT and type "148" using the keypad keys.

Some other combinations:
å - 134
æ - 145
Ü - 154
ß - 225

Hope this helps

Answer 4

As Neil M suggestes, ALT + number, but you must use the number pad on the right hand side of the keyboard. Common ones for German are:
ü 129
ä 132
ö 148
Ä 142
Ü 154
ß 225

Answer 5

Try getting a copy of the ASCII character set and use 'ALT' + the code for the symbol to insert it. (You'll need to keep the ALT key pressed while entering the code).

Answer 6

Can you just use 'insert symbol' - it works in Word but I don't know about your email programmes. Tschuss.

Answer 7

I agree with Neil and JJ use the ASCII codes they work in all programs it is the easiest way