For Mac users:
   - For stress marks, use the OPTION key + e and then the vowel
   - For the dieresis, use the OPTION key + u and then the vowel
   - For the tilde, use the OPTION key + n and then "n"
   - etc.

For Windows XP or Windows Vista, do the following to install the US International keyboard as a "permanent" solution on your computer (see below for non-permanent solutions):
( Note: After completing the steps below you need to make sure that you select the US International keyboard: Look at the lower-right corner of your desktop to see if you have a tiny keyboard icon, or the letters EN. If you do, click on it and then select the US-International keyboard. Now you will have four "dead" keys -- the apostrophe key, the shift-6 key, the tilde key, and the right-alt key. To type an "á" you press the apostrophe key and then the "a" key. Experiment to learn the other key strokes. Use the right ALT key for the Spanish upside-down "?" and "!", the German "æ" (z key), and the French "ç" (comma key). If you want the actual character on a "dead" key, press the key and then the space bar or another key that would not normally take an accent/tilde.)

Point to START and CONTROL PANEL and REGIONAL AND LANGUAGE OPTIONS and LANGUAGES ( "Keyboards and Languages" for Vista) and DETAILS ("Change Keyboards" for Vista). Note Vista dialogue windows will be somewhat different than the XP dialogue windows shown here.

Click on ADD to add change the keyboard layout ...

Click on the KEYBOARD LAYOUT down arrow to select the "United States-International" keyboard layout

Click on the US keyboard and then REMOVE to delete that layout.

The easiest way to create foreign language diacriticals if you are using Windows 9x-Windows 2000 is to do the following:

• Click on START and SETTINGS and CONTROL PANEL and KEYBOARD
  
   
• Click on LANGUAGE and PROPERTIES, then select UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL LAYOUT and OK and OK, at which time you may or may not be prompted to insert your Windows CD




 

If you are using a public computer and need to type foreign characters, enter the ASCII codes for special characters.

Depress the ALT key and hold it down while you type in the three-digit number listed below, using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, and not the number keys on the top row, then release the ALT key.