How to Type French Accents on Your Computer
PC Users:
How to Type French Accents on a PC
Modified from French accent marks
Part 1
- Hold the control [ctrl] key down while you make the first stroke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release ctrl and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
Accent | How to Type
L’accent aigu | Use the apostrophe key (') | é = ' then e | É = ' then Shift + e
L’accent grave | Use the backtick key (\) | à = \ then a | À = \ then Shift + a
La cédille | Use the comma key (,) | ç = , then c | Ç = , then Shift + c
Part 2
- For these accents, hold the control [ctrl] key and the shift key down while you make the first stoke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release them and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
Accent | How to Type
L’accent circonflexe | Use the 6 key (Ctrl + Shift gives ^) | â = ^ then a
| Â = ^ then Shift + a (same method for capitals)
| ê = ^ then e
| î = ^ then i
| ô = ^ then o
| û = ^ then u
Le tréma | Use the colon key (:) | ë = : then e
| ï = : then i
| ü = : then u
“L’e dans l’o” (œ) | Use the 7 key (Ctrl + Shift gives &) | œ = & then o
Mac Users:
How to Type French Accents on a Mac
- Hold the alt key down while you make the first stroke. Nothing will appear on your document.
- Now release ctrl and hit the letter that needs the accent. Voilà!
Accent | How to Type
L’accent aigu | Use the option key | é = option e then e
| É = option e then Shift + e (use Shift for capitals)
L’accent grave | Use the option key | à = option ` then a
| À = option ` then Shift + a (use Shift for capitals)
| ù = option ` then u
La cédille | Use the option key | ç = option c then c
| Ç = option c then Shift + c (use Shift for capitals)
L’accent circonflexe | Use the option key | â = option then a
| Â = option i then Shift + a (use Shift for capitals)
| ê = option i then e
| î = option i then i
| ô = option i then o
| û = option i then u
Le tréma | Use the option key | ë = option u then e
| ï = option u then e
| ü = option u then e
“L’e dans l’o” (œ) | Use the option key | œ = option then q
Mac users:
When all else fails, in Word, PowerPoint, and Google Docs:
Go to the “insert” tab and choose “symbol.” The letter/accent you want will be there!
Typing French Accents on Your Keyboard- PC / Mac:
How to Type French Accents on a Phone:
Touch the letter key and keep your finger there lightly. You’ll get choices for the letter, each with different accents. Move your finger to the one you want and release.
Tutorial based on document and videos shared via Salt Lake Community College Canvas Course.
