How to Make Umlaut?

[Unermüdlich1]

Is it possible to make Umlaut (two dots over long German vowels) with a standard Windows keyboard? I know there's a Deutsch keyboard option for Windows, but was hoping someone knew of another way, without making the switch.
Also, has anyone ever switched their keyboard to the German config? If so, is it possible to easily switch back to the English?

[dduff442]

Hi Unermudlich,

1) Activate NumLock
2) Press Alt and hold, then...

for ä: Key 0228 and release Alt key
for ö: Key 0246 and release Alt key
for ü: Key 0252 and release Alt key

also handy is:

ß ('sharp s'): key 0223 and release Alt key.

Also, you can use the 'Charmap' application which comes with Windows.

Regards,
dduff

[John W. Howard]

Hello Uner:
There are other ways that our forum members will know about, but here is what I use:
Alt 129 = ü
Alt 154 = Ü
Alt 148 = ö
Alt 153 = Ö
Alt 132 = ä
Alt 137 = ë
Alt 225 = ß

It looks like I am missing my capital ä and ë, so if anyone has them let me know. I hope this helps!! Best wishes.

[Unermüdlich1]

Thanks, dduff and John. It works just as described, though the umlaut "e" is a new one to me, not that I'm a fluent German speaker. Where does that occur in Deutsch?

[Tom Houlihan]

Okay, I thought I had my cheat sheet here, but I don't. After trying to remember how to type German characters, then making maps covering areas in Hungary, I used the file CHARACTER MAP to make up a pretty handy reference.

The easy way is to find that file on your computer (if you have it), and make a shortcut of it. If you have a few minutes, here's how I did my sheet:

Making a special character is just how John put it. The ALT key, and a four digit number. Make sure you use all four digits.
Start a column with the number 0161. Using TIMES NEW ROMAN font, this is really the first special character. Follow that with 0162, all the way to 0253. Then, go back to the top of the column, and actually type ALT + 0161, all the way down the list. Voila! One home-made cheat sheet, with more special characters than you'll probably ever use!

Be the first on your block to have one! Amaze your friends! Impress co-workers! Make your e-mails look worldly!

It'll take a few minutes, but it's worth it if you do much typing in other languages. I think that it shows respect for your foreign comrades if you at least make the effort to spell things in their language properly!

[Leo Niehorster]

Get a German keyboard.

Leo

[Tom Houlihan]

Get a German keyboard.

Oh, sure! Take the easy way out!

[Annelie]

Get a German keyboard.

It sure is a lot easier and its free!

[Andy H]

Get a German keyboard.

Leo

as an aside, UK keyboards have the $ key, but US keyboards dont have the Pound Sterling key-Guess that tell us something

Regards

[dnl-panzerschreck]

In Norway we just press the "¨^~" key and then the "u" key and then everything is okay. What a great keyboard country...

üüüüüüüü

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

" ¨/^ " key on a Mäc!
I have an Ææ, Øø, Åå too... (wonder if they show correctly on screens abroad)

Scändinäviän keyböärds RÖCK!


waleed

[Tom Houlihan]

I have an Ææ, Øø, Åå too... (wonder if they show correctly on screens abroad)

They look just fine to me here in Michigan, Waleed!

[Waleed Y. Majeed]

waleed