The fastest way depends on what device you're using

Adding accent marks—like é, ñ, ü, or ç—takes different steps on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android. On a Mac, you hold down a letter key and pick from a menu. On Windows, you use a numeric code. On phones, you long-press the letter. None of these methods are hard once you know the path for your device, but the path itself is different enough that what works on one won't work on another.

The method you choose also depends on how often you need accents. If you type them once a month, the built-in keyboard shortcuts work fine. If you type them every day in another language, you might switch your keyboard layout entirely instead—that's faster than any shortcut.

Key Takeaways

  • On Mac, press and hold any letter key to see accent options, then click the one you need or type its number.
  • On Windows, hold Alt and type a four-digit code on the numeric keypad, then release Alt to insert the character.
  • On iPhone and Android, long-press a letter to open a menu of accented versions of that letter.
  • If you type accents constantly, switching your keyboard layout to Spanish, French, or another language is faster than using shortcuts for each character.
  • Some programs like Microsoft Word have an Insert menu where you can search for and insert special characters without memorizing codes.

How to add accents on a Mac

On a Mac, press and hold any letter key for about one second. A small menu appears above the key showing accented versions of that letter. For example, holding down the letter e shows é, è, ê, ë, and others. Click the one you want, or type the number shown below each option.

If no menu appears, your Mac may have a setting turned off. Go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), click Keyboard, and make sure "Press and hold key to display accents" is turned on. On very old Macs, this option may not exist—in that case, use the Character Viewer instead. Press Control + Command + Space to open it, search for the accent mark you need, and double-click to insert it.

How to add accents on Windows

On Windows, you use Alt codes—a combination of holding Alt and typing numbers on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard, not the numbers across the top). Hold Alt, type the code, then release Alt. The character appears where your cursor is.

Common codes include Alt + 0233 for é, Alt + 0241 for ñ, Alt + 0252 for ü, and Alt + 0231 for ç. A full list of Alt codes is available through a web search for "Alt codes accents." The numeric keypad is required—the number row at the top of the keyboard won't work. If your laptop doesn't have a numeric keypad, you can enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of your keyboard, or use the Character Map program instead. Search for "Character Map" in your Start menu, find the character you need, click it, then click Copy and paste it where you need it.

How to add accents on iPhone and Android

On both iPhone and Android, long-press (press and hold) the letter you want to accent. A menu pops up showing accented versions of that letter. Slide your finger to the one you want and release. For example, long-pressing e on an iPhone shows é, è, ê, ë, and ē. On Android, the menu works the same way.

If you're typing in a language that uses accents regularly, you can add a keyboard for that language to your phone. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and pick the language. On Android, go to Settings > System > Languages and Input > Virtual Keyboard > Gboard > Languages and add the one you need. Then you can switch between keyboards by tapping the globe icon (iPhone) or space bar (Android).

Using Word, Google Docs, and other programs

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and similar programs have an Insert menu that lets you search for special characters without memorizing codes. In Word, click Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, then search for the character by name (type "e acute" for é) or scroll through the list. Click it and then click Insert. In Google Docs, click Insert > Special Characters, type the character name in the search box, and click it to insert.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you're typing many accents, but it's useful when you need a character only once or twice and don't remember the code. Some programs also let you set up custom shortcuts. In Word, you can go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options and create a shortcut like typing "e'" to automatically become "é"—useful if you type accents often in that program.

Switching your keyboard layout for frequent accent use

If you type in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or another accented language regularly, switching your keyboard layout is faster than using shortcuts. Your keyboard hardware doesn't change—only the mapping of keys changes. When you press the key marked e, it still types e, but you can access accents through different key combinations or by pressing keys in a different order.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and click the plus sign to add a new language. Pick Spanish, French, or whichever language you need. A flag icon appears in the menu bar; click it to switch between English and that language. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language > Add a Language, pick the one you need, then go to Settings > Time & Language > Advanced Keyboard Settings and set it as your default or switch to it using Windows + Space. On iPhone and Android, follow the steps in the previous section to add a keyboard for that language.

Learning a new keyboard layout takes a few hours of practice, but if you type accents eight or more hours a week, the time pays back quickly. Many people who write in multiple languages keep two or three layouts active and switch between them depending on what they're writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy and paste an accented letter instead of typing it?

Yes. You can search for the letter online, copy it, and paste it wherever you need it. This works on any device and any program. It's slower than a keyboard shortcut if you need the same accent many times, but it works in a pinch when you don't remember the code or shortcut.

Why doesn't Alt + code work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop likely doesn't have a numeric keypad. Try holding Alt and typing the code on the number row at the top of your keyboard—this doesn't work on most laptops. Instead, use Character Map (search for it in your Start menu), find the character, click Copy, and paste it. Or enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of your keyboard if your laptop has them.

Do I have to switch my whole keyboard layout, or can I just add accents to one language?

You can do either. Adding a keyboard layout doesn't remove your English keyboard—you switch between them as needed. If you only type accents occasionally, stick with shortcuts or the Insert menu. If you type them constantly, adding a layout and switching to it while you work is faster.

What if the accent mark I need isn't in the menu when I long-press on my phone?

Not every accent appears in the long-press menu for every letter. If you need an accent that doesn't show up, try the Character Viewer on Mac or Character Map on Windows, or search for the character online and copy it. You can also add a keyboard for the language that uses that accent—the full keyboard layout will have all the characters you need.

Can I set up a shortcut so typing two keys makes an accent mark?

Yes, but it depends on your program. Microsoft Word lets you create AutoCorrect shortcuts through File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Google Docs doesn't have this feature built in, but you can use browser extensions or your operating system's text replacement feature. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a replacement. On Windows, this feature isn't built in, but third-party tools like AutoHotkey can do it.