How to Type Accent Letters on a Laptop Without a Number Pad

On a laptop without a number pad, the fastest way to type an accented letter on Windows is Win + . (period): it opens a panel with a Symbols tab that lists é, ñ, ü and other accented letters. For regular typing, add the US International keyboard and press ' then e for é.

Alt codes such as Alt 0233 only work with a numeric keypad, so most laptop owners need one of the methods below instead. Pick the one that fits how often you type accents.

Why the top-row numbers do not work

Windows reads Alt codes from the numeric keypad only. The number keys above the letters send different key codes, even though they type the same digits.

So holding Alt and pressing 0, 2, 3, 3 on the top row does nothing, or it opens a menu in the app you are using. This is by design, not a fault with your laptop. Our Alt codes not working guide covers other causes if you do have a keypad.

Which method fits you?

Method 1: Win + . (period) symbol panel

This works on Windows 10 and 11 with no setup.

1. Click where you want the letter.
2. Press Win + . (period) or Win + ; (semicolon).
3. The emoji panel opens. Click the Symbols tab (the Ω icon).
4. Choose the Latin symbols section and click the letter.

The panel remembers letters you have used, so the second time they appear in the recent list.

Method 2: The hidden Fn number pad

Some laptops have a number pad built into the letter keys. Look for small numbers printed on the 7, 8, 9, U, I, O, J, K, L and M keys, often in a different colour.

To use it:

1. Turn on the embedded keypad with Fn + Num Lock (the key may be labelled NumLk or share a key with F11 or Scroll Lock).
2. Hold Alt and type the code on those letter keys. On some models you also hold Fn.
3. Release Alt. The letter appears.
4. Turn the keypad off again, or your letters will keep typing numbers.

If there are no small numbers on your keys, your laptop does not have this feature. Most newer laptops do not.

Method 3: The on-screen keyboard with a number pad

Windows has a full on-screen keyboard that includes a number pad. Alt codes work with it.

1. Press Win + R, type osk and press Enter.
2. If you do not see a number pad, click Options, tick Turn on numeric key pad and click OK.
3. Click NumLock on the on-screen keyboard so it is on.
4. Hold Alt on your physical keyboard and click the code on the on-screen number pad, for example 0, 2, 3, 3.
5. Release Alt to get é.

This is slow for daily use but handy when you need a specific Alt code and have no other option.

Alt codes to use with Methods 2 and 3

The full list is on our Alt codes page.

Method 4: US International keyboard

This is the best long-term fix. It adds dead keys, so you type the accent first and then the letter:

It also adds right Alt shortcuts: right Alt + e gives é and right Alt + n gives ñ.

To add it, open Settings, go to the time and language section, open your language's options and add a keyboard called United States-International. Press Win + Space to switch between layouts. Full steps are in our US International keyboard guide.

One habit to learn: to type a plain apostrophe or quote, press the key and then Space.

Method 5: Touch keyboard long-press

If your laptop has a touch screen, or you prefer clicking, use the Windows touch keyboard. Turn on its taskbar icon in the taskbar settings, then open it from the taskbar.

Press and hold a letter (with your finger or the mouse) and a row of accented versions appears. Slide to the one you want.

Method 6: Microsoft Word shortcuts

Word has its own accent shortcuts that use letter keys only, so no number pad is needed:

Word also converts hex codes: type 00e9 and press Alt + X to get é. These work in Word only. See our Word accent marks guide for the full list.

Method 7: Copy and paste

For the occasional letter, copying is quickest. Click any letter on our homepage to copy it, then press Ctrl + V where you need it.

Other options

Plug in a USB number pad. A small external keypad costs little and makes Alt codes work as normal.

MacBook users do not need any of this. Macs have no Alt codes: press Option + E, then e for é, or hold the letter key for a menu.

Chromebook users can press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the hex code and press Space.