How to Type Alt Codes and Special Characters on a Mac
Quick answer: Windows-style Alt + number-pad codes do not work on a Mac. Instead use Option combinations (Option+G is the copyright sign), press and hold a letter for accents, or open the Character Viewer with ⌃⌘Space to search any symbol by name.
Why Alt codes do not transfer
Windows Alt codes work by holding Alt and typing a decimal code on the numeric keypad. macOS has no equivalent input method, and most Mac keyboards have no numeric keypad. The Mac approach is different: characters are on Option and Option+Shift layers of the normal keyboard.
Method 1: Option key combinations
| Character | Windows Alt code | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| © | Alt+0169 | Option+G |
| ® | Alt+0174 | Option+R |
| ™ | Alt+0153 | Option+2 |
| ° | Alt+0176 | Option+Shift+8 |
| é | Alt+0233 | Option+E, then E |
| – (en dash) | Alt+0150 | Option+Hyphen |
| — (em dash) | Alt+0151 | Option+Shift+Hyphen |
| ≠ | Alt+8800 | Option+= |
| ± | Alt+241 | Option+Shift+= |
| € | Alt+0128 | Option+Shift+2 |
To see the whole layer live, open Keyboard Viewer (System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Input menu) and hold Option, then Option+Shift.
Method 2: Press and hold for accents
Hold a letter such as e, a, n or o for about a second and an accent menu appears. Type the number shown, or click the accent you want. This covers most European diacritics without memorising Option codes.
Method 3: Character Viewer
Press ⌃⌘Space in any app to open the Character Viewer. Search by name ("arrow", "check mark", "bullet"), double-click to insert, and pin favourites. This is the fastest route for symbols you use rarely.
Method 4: Unicode Hex Input
If you know a character’s Unicode value, add the Unicode Hex Input source in System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Text Input ▸ Edit. Then hold Option and type the four-digit hex code. Switch back to your normal source afterward, or ordinary typing behaves oddly.
In Excel for Mac
All four methods work inside a cell. Two Excel-specific notes:
A line break inside a cell is ⌃⌥Return, not Alt+Enter.
Symbols in formulas such as ≠ still need the function form (
<>) — the typed symbol is display text only.
If what you are really trying to reproduce is a Windows Ribbon sequence like Alt, N, S, U for Symbol, that is a different problem — see What replaces Ribbon access keys in Excel on Mac? or use the Mac Excel Shortcuts app to run the sequences directly.
FAQs
Is there a numeric Alt-code method on a Mac at all?
Only Unicode Hex Input, and it uses hexadecimal Unicode values, not Windows decimal Alt codes. The two numbering systems are unrelated.
How do I type the Apple logo?
Option+Shift+K on most layouts. It only renders correctly on Apple systems.
Can I make my own text shortcuts for symbols?
Yes. System Settings ▸ Keyboard ▸ Text Input ▸ Text Replacements. For example replace "(c)" with the copyright sign.