Type Like A Real German!
(in one easy lesson)
  • Click here to read the Mac instructions.


    • From any Windows application (at least with Windows 95, but I think earlier and later versions work the same):

    1) you can always type the following combinations to insert a character:
            with the Numbers Lock ON, hold down the Alt key while you type:

                0246 to get ö
                0214 to get Ö
                0252 = ü
                0220 = Ü
                0228 = ä
                0196 = Ä
                0223 = ß

    Remember to hold down the Alt key until after you are done typing in all the numbers.
    If you forget the codes, you can look at the "Character Map" under Windows Accessories for these and others.

    2) If you are using Microsoft Word, the easiest thing to do is to create shortcut keys:

        Go to the "Insert" menu and select "Symbol"
        When the dialogue box appears, make sure "(normal text)" is selected in the Font window.  If not, go to this and change it.
        When you see the character you want, click on it ONCE with the mouse to highlight it.
        Now click on the box marked "Shortcut Key" below.
        Here you select any combination of keys you want to get this letter, for example: Alt + a to give you ä.
        Then press "Assign," and then "Close."
        Repeat these steps until you have programed all the characters you want.

    Now, anytime you are using Word, just type your key combinations to get the character.  No numbers to remember!

    For Mac Users: (from Hendrik Winterstein) It is quite simple when using a Mac. Let's say (and most of us do) use Microsoft Word as the application program, to type all the Umlaute, one has to use the "option" key on the keyboard in different combinations.

    To get the "ü":
    Press and hold option key, then type the letter "u" twice.

    To get the "ä":
    Press and hold option key, then type the letter "u" and then the letter "a".

    To get the "ö":
    Press and hold option key, then type the letter "u" and then the letter "o".

    To get the "ß":
    Press and hold option key, then type the letter "s", here we go!!!!

    Easy, isn't it ?

    PS: If you need to capitalize the umlaute, you need to press and hold the option key first, then type the letter "u", then the shift key and then the appropriate letter ("a", "o" or "u")!