Introduction to German/Input

How to type German characters into the computer

Windows

(for these characters ensure that the num lock is on)

• For ä, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 3, 2 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For Ä, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 4, 2 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For ö, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 4, 8 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For Ö, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 5, 3 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For ü, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 2, 9 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For Ü, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 1, 5, 4 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.
• For ß, hold down Alt, and press the numbers 2, 2, 5 on the keypad. Then release the Alt button.

Alternatively you can use the US-International keyboard layout.

• For ä, hold down AltGr, and press Q.
• For Ä, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press Q.
• For ö, hold down AltGr, and press P.
• For Ö, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press P.
• For ü, hold down AltGr, and press Y.
• For Ü, hold down AltGr+Shift, and press Y.
• For ß, hold down AltGr, and press s

Mac

• For ü, ö, and ä, hold down option-u, release, and type u, o, or a.
• For ß type option-s.

GNU / Linux

Set up a key on the keyboard as the compose key. In GNOME this can be found in via the System -> Preferences -> Keyboard utility, on the Layout Options tab. To type an a letter with an umlaut, press the compose key followed by " and then the desired letter. To type the letter ß, press the compose key followed by the s key twice.