Typing French Accents

How to type accents on a PC

Q. How can I type French àççêñts? Do I need to buy a French keyboard or some kind of special software?

A. No - there are various ways to type accents on any computer. This page explains how to type accents on a PC. (Typing accents on a Mac)

Windows users have several options. If you normally use the QWERTY layout, the international keyboard is far and away the best option. If you currently use a UK keyboard, the UK extended keyboard is the best. There are some other options, including ALT codes, listed below.
 

Using the international keyboard
The international keyboard maintains the QWERTY layout, with the following changes/additions:

1. To type accent grave (à, è, etc), type ` then the vowel.
2. Accent aigu (é), type ' (single quote) then e.
3. Cédille (ç), type ' then c.
4. Circonflexe (ê), type ^ (shift + 6) then e.
5. Tréma (ö), type " (shift + ') then o.
    
   NOTE: To type any of these symbols by themselves (e.g., single or double quotes) rather than above a vowel, type the symbol then hit the space bar. For example, to type c'est, type c then ' then space then e s t
    
6. To type French quotation marks «  » use ctrl + alt + [ and ], respectively.

The minor disadvantage of the international keyboard is that it takes a little while to get used to typing a space when you actually want to type ' or ". More info from Microsoft

In order to use the international keyboard, you need to set it as your default keyboard - here's how.

International keyboard (Windows Vista)

1. Open your Control Panel
2. If in Classic View, click Control Panel Home in upper-left corner
3. Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboards or other input methods
4. Click Change keyboards
5. Click Add
6. Scroll down to English (United States)
7. If you don't see a list including United States-international, click + to expand
8. Choose United States-International
9. Click OK in each dialog window.
10. Read Using the international keyboard (above) and, if necessary, Troubleshooting the international keyboard (below).

International keyboard (Win XP)

1. Open your Control Panel (via Start menu or My Computer)
2. Double-click Regional and Language Options
3. Click Languages
4. Click Details
5. Click Add
6. Pick English (United States - International)
7. Click OK in each dialog window.

International keyboard (Win 95, 98, ME, NT)

1. Open your Control Panel (via Start menu or My Computer)
2. Double-click Keyboard
3. Click Language
4. Click Properties, Settings, or Details (whichever you see)
5. Click Add
6. Pick English International or United States International
7. Click OK in each dialog window.

International keyboard (Win 2000)

1. Open your Control Panel (via Start menu or My Computer)
2. Double-click Keyboard
3. Click Input Locales
4. Click Change
5. Click Add
6. Pick English International or United States International
7. Click OK in each dialog window.

Troubleshooting the international keyboard

1. Double-check the above steps, and make sure that you click OK for each dialog.
2. Look in the lower-right corner of your computer desktop, where you should see a little box telling you which keyboard you are using. Make sure it says US - International.
3. If you are plagued by strangeness such as cést when you try to type c'est, re-read the note between numbers 5 and 6 of Using the international keyboard, above.
    

UK extended keyboard
If you currently use a UK keyboard, you will probably find the UK extended keyboard the easiest way to type accents. Follow the instructions above but pick UK English (extended). To type most accents, you will need to use the AltGr key, which is located to the right of the spacebar.

1. To type accent grave (à, è, etc), type ` (to the left of 1) then the vowel.
2. Accent aigu (é), click AltGr and e at the same time.
3. Cédille (ç), click AltGr and c at the same time.
4. Circonflexe (ê), click AltGr and ^ at the same time, then the vowel.
5. Tréma (ö) click AltGr and " at the same time, then the vowel.
    

French keyboard

1. Follow the instructions above but pick French (Standard)
2. Switch between the English and French layouts with Alt + shift.
3. NOTE: The layout of the French keyboard, known as AZERTY, is somewhat different than the layouts of other keyboards - refer to the map of the French keyboard.
4. HINT: You can invoke the Windows On Screen Keyboard - go to Programs/Accessories/Accessibility/On Screen Keyboard. When you change to the AZERTY keyboard and move your cursor over the on screen keyboard, it will display the AZERTY layout. You can then type the accented letters by clicking on the On Screen Keyboard. After pressing ALT/SHIFT you can then continue typing in QWERTY on the real keyboard.
    

Canadian French keyboard
Follow the instructions above and choose French (Canadian). The layout of this keyboard is similar to QWERTY, making it somewhat simpler if that is what you are used to. Here is a map of the Canadian keyboard.
 

ALT codes
If you really don't want to change your keyboard, you can use ALT codes with the ALT key and a 3 or 4 digit code to type accented characters. You can only use the numeric keypad, NOT the row of numbers across the top of your keyboard - list of ALT codes.
 

Learn about French accents.

  

You are here: FAQ - Typing accents on a PC - Typing accents on a Mac

  

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