Keyboard shortcuts are often very useful for quickly performing common actions within a program. Some of the most common that you’re probably familiar with include:

• Copy: CTRL or CMD C
• Paste: CTRL or CMD V
• Paste without Formatting: CTRL or CMD SHIFT V

Shortcuts can also be very helpful in typing special characters, punctuation, or symbols, if you don’t see them as standard keyboard buttons. 

This post will share some of the most common shortcuts authors need, and how to use them within Atticus. 

NOTE:

This post is based on North American keyboards. International keyboard shortcuts and Alt codes may differ. These codes may not work on devices without numeric keyboards and they may differ based on device or operating system, but we’ve done our best to compile the most common codes for the most common devices.

Windows OS

In Windows based operating systems, the keyboard shortcuts for inserting special characters that aren’t standard letters on your keyboard are often called ALT Codes. This is because the ALT button needs to be pressed and held while you continue to type additional letters or numbers to complete the sequence. 

For each of the codes below, simply press and hold your ALT key and then use your number pad to enter the numbers in the order you see. When you’re finished typing the numbers, release the ALT key and the special character will appear.

Curly / Smart Quotes

• Single Left Quote ‘ : ALT 0145
• Single Right Quote ’ : ALT 0146
• Double Left Quote “ : ALT 0147
• Double Right Quote ” : ALT 0148

Alternative Punctuation

• Ellipsis … : ALT 0133
• Em Dash — : ALT 0151
• En Dash – : ALT 0150
• Double Left Angle Quotation Mark « : ALT 0171 
• Double Right Angle Quotation Mark » : ALT 0187
• Inverted Question Mark ¿ : ALT 0191
• Inverted Exclamation Mark ¡ : ALT 0161

Symbol and Special Characters

• Trademark ™ : ALT 0153
• Registered ® : ALT 0174
• Copyright © : ALT 0169
• Bullet • : ALT 7

Apple OS

Apple users often refer to Alt Codes as well, but the codes are different between Windows and Apple operating systems. Mac computers have an Option key, rather than an Alt key.

For each of the codes below, simply press and hold your ALT key and then use your number pad or standard keyboard to enter the numbers and characters in the order you see. When you’re finished typing the numbers, release the Option key and the special character will appear.

Curly / Smart Quotes

• Single Left Quote ‘ : Option ]
• Single Right Quote ’ : Shift Option ]
• Double Left Quote “ : Option [
• Double Right Quote ” : Shift Option [

Alternative Punctuation

• Ellipsis … : Option ;
• Em Dash — : Option Shift –
• En Dash – : Option –
• Double Left Angle Quotation Mark « : Option \
• Double Right Angle Quotation Mark » : Option Shift \
• Inverted Question Mark ¿ : Option Shift /
• Inverted Exclamation Mark ¡ : Option 1

Symbol and Special Characters

• Trademark™: Option 2
• Registered ® : Option r
• Copyright © : Option g
• Bullet • : Option 8

Linux OS

In Linux based operating systems, some Alt codes work, but you may have more luck with Unicodes.

For the Alt codes, you will need to press the AltGr button, which is the right alt key. For Unicodes, you will need to press and hold the CTRL, SHIFT and U keys while pressing the number code for the symbol of your choice.

Curly / Smart Quotes

• Single Left Quote ‘ : AltGr Shift V or B
• Single Right Quote ’ : AltGr Shift V or B
• Double Left Quote “ : AltGr V or B
• Double Right Quote ” : AltGr V or B

Alternative Punctuation

• Ellipsis … : CTRL Shift U 2026
• Em Dash — : CTRL Shift U 2014
• En Dash – : CTRL Shift U 2013
• Double Left Angle Quotation Mark « : AltGr w or CTRL Shift U 00AB
• Double Right Angle Quotation Mark » : AltGr x or CTRL Shift U 00BB
• Inverted Question Mark ¿ : CTRL Shift U 00BF
• Inverted Exclamation Mark ¡ : CTRL Shift U 00A1

Symbol and Special Characters

• Trademark ™ : AltGr t or CTRL Shift U 2122
• Registered ® : AltGr r or CTRL Shift U 00AE
• Copyright © : AltGr c or CTRL Shift U 00A9
• Bullet • : CTRL Shift U 2022