Alt codes not working on Word or Excel

Hello,

Alt codes such as µ (alt+230) don't want to work on Word or Excel, while they work fine on my internet browser or Powerpoint. Some of them seem to work on Outlook but not all.

I have tried to look in the Word's settings or on the internet but couldn't find the solution.

Would any of you what is the reason?

Thank you for your help.

PS: I am using Microsoft Office 2016

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Stefan Blom

MVP
|
Volunteer Moderator

Enable NUMLOCK if you have a numeric keypad. For other keyboards, other actions may be required (Fn Lock, for example).

Hmm, here I will have to use Alt+0181 for µ. (The screen shot below is from the Symbol dialog box in Word.)

Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
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Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
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Zouzbi

Enable NUMLOCK if you have a numeric keypad. For other keyboards, other actions may be required (Fn Lock, for example).
Hmm, here I will have to use Alt+0181 for µ.

Thanks for your quick answer. I am not sure whether this is an issue with Fn lock or Numlock (I am indeed using a laptop so I need to use both Fn and Alt to use the alt codes) as I am perfectly able to use the alt codes on other programs (e.g. powerpoint and internet browser). Could it be something to do with some settings inside Word or Excel?

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Charles Kenyon

Volunteer Moderator

Office programs, beginning with Office 2007, have co-opted the Alt key for the Ribbon screentips. You have to be quick with it or otherwise you are in the Ribbon.

Volunteering to "pay forward" the help I've received in the Microsoft user community.

Charles Kenyon
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
wordfaq[at]addbalance[dot]com

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Alt codes not working on Word or Excel

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