WD: Can't Insert Symbols by Typing ASCII Value in MacWord (125637)

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert a Special Character

Commonly used symbols, such as the em dash and the copyright symbol, are already assigned to keystrokes. To see the list of preassigned symbol keystrokes, click Symbol on the Insert menu and then click the Special Characters tab.

Method 2: Create Individual Shortcut Keys For Each Symbol

Set up individual keystrokes for ASCII characters so that each symbol has a unique keystroke. To assign keystrokes to individual symbols, follow these steps:

1. On the Insert menu, click Symbol.
2. In the Font list, click to select the font that you want.
3. Click to select the symbol that you want.
4. Click Shortcut Key.
5. In the "Press New Shortcut Key" box, press the keystrokes that you want to assign to the symbol.
   
   If the Currently Assigned To area indicates that the keystroke is already in use by another function, erase the contents of the Press New Shortcut Key box and type a new keystroke.
6. Click Assign.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each symbol you want to assign to a keystroke.
8. When finished, click OK.

Method 3: Create a Macro That Asks for the ASCII Number

The following sample macro prompts you for an ASCII number and inserts the corresponding character. Use the appropriate method for your version of Word.

NOTE: Before running the macro, be sure to choose the appropriate font from the Font menu for the character you want to insert. Each font may have a different symbol for the ASCII character you are using.

Word 98 Macintosh Edition:

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   Sub ASCII()
      num = Val(InputBox$("Type a 3-digit ASCII number."))
      Selection.InsertAfter Chr$(num)
      Selection.Move Unit:=wdCharacter
   End Sub
				

Word 6.0:

   Sub MAIN
      num = Val(InputBox$("Type a 3-digit ASCII number."))
      Insert Chr$(num)
   End Sub
				

Method 4: Create An AutoText Entry For Each Symbol

To create an AutoText entry, follow these steps:

1. On the Insert menu, click Symbol.
2. In the Font list, click to select the font you want to use.
3. Click to select the symbol you want to insert.
4. Click Insert, and then click Close.
5. Select the symbol (which is now in the document).
6. Use the appropriate method for your version of Word:
   
   Word 98 Macintosh Edition: On the Insert menu, point to AutoText and then click New.
   
   Word 6.0: On the Edit menu, click AutoText.
7. In the "Please name your AutoText entry" (Name) box, type a descriptive name for your AutoText entry, and then click OK (Add).
8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for each symbol you want to create an AutoText entry for.

To insert the symbol from your AutoText entry, use the appropriate method for your version of Word: