Hi! I was wondering if someone could tell me how to get the special characters needed for writing in French. There surely has to be an easier way than looking each one up everytime you need it...I hope! Thanks, Barb K.

The way to do this without downloading a special file is as follows: First you need to be using a keyboard with a separate numeric keyboard (usually on the right hand side.) Then you lock it into the numeric mode by hitting the number lock. You can then type in each character by holding down the alt key and typing in a numeric code on the number keyboard for each special character for example: To type á (a with an accent) first hold down the alt key and at the same time type 0225. When you release the character will appear. The code for each of the characters can be found by going into the help function on your computer and searching for international characters. You can also find the codes by searching in google. This becomes quite simple after a short while. I keep a card with all the codes on it next to my computer and also I leave the numeric keyboard in lock since I also have numerals along the top of my keyboard as do most keyboards. I hope this helps.

If you're on a mac, you can hold option, press "e" then relese option and press "a" For a cedilla, you can press option+c then "c"

Go with Pascal's suggestion if you are on a Mac. If you are on a PC then there is a much better way than using the alt codes, and it is selecting the US International Keyboard layout. It comes pre-installed with windows. This link teaches you how to type each French character: http://french.about.com/od/writing/ss/typeaccents_2.htm And this teaches you how to find the menu to change your keyboard: http://french.about.com/od/writing/ss/typeaccents_6.htm You will want to select one of these: International Keyboard: English (United States), US-Int'l UK Extended Keyboard: English (UK - extended) French Keyboard: French (Standard) French Canadian Keyboard: French (Canadian) Personally I use the US international layout because I don't actually know French, but US int'l layout lets me type things in Spanish.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I see that I have some practicing to do! Merci beaucoup! Barb

you can google french character's it's easy!

if u using mac just keep press the letters and show all the options