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

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Word for the Macintosh, you cannot insert a symbol by typing the symbol's ASCII code on the keyboard.

NOTE: This functionality was possible in Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 5.0 and 5.1.

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:

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support engineers can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/

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

   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.

   Word 98 Macintosh Edition: On the Insert menu, point to AutoText and
   then click AutoText. Click to select the AutoText entry you want, and
   then click Insert.

    -or-

   Word 6.0: On the Edit menu, click AutoText. Click to select the desired
   AutoText entry and then click Insert.

MORE INFORMATION

In Word 5.0 and 5.1 for the Macintosh, follow these steps to enter a symbol using the keyboard:

1. Remove the SYMBOL command from the Word Commands folder.

2. Place the insertion point in the text where you want the character.

3. Press COMMAND+OPTION+Q.

4. Type the ASCII code for the symbol and press ENTER.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0 page 785

"Microsoft Word for the Macintosh User's Guide," version 5.x, page 759