These are the special characters you will need: 

	l'accent aigu	é
	l'accent grave	è, à, ù
	l'accent circonflexe	â, ê, î, ô, û
	le tréma	ë, ï
	la cédille	ç

Some word processors, such as Microsoft Word, allow you to input special characters by using Control key shortcut combinations.  Press and hold the Control key (Ctrl on you keyboard), then press the special key indicated.  Release the two keys, then press the key for the letter you want accented.
 

l'accent aigu	Ctrl-' (Apostrophe)
l'acdfent grave	Ctrl-` (Key just to the left of the 1 key)
l'accent circonflexe	Ctrl-^ (Karrot or shift 6, you will have to press Ctrl, Shift and 6 at the same time)
le tréma	Ctrl-: (Colon, you will have to press Ctrl, Shift and ; at the same time)
La cédille	Ctrl-, (Comma)

l'accent aigu

• é        Ctrl-' then e

• è        Ctrl-` then e
• à        Ctrl-` then a
• ù        Ctrl-` then u

• â        Ctrl-^ then a
• ê        Ctrl-^ then e
• î         Ctrl-^ then i
• ô        Ctrl-^ then o
• û        Ctrl-^ then u

• ë        Ctrl-: then e
• ï         Ctrl-: then i

• ç        Ctrl-, then c

If your word processor does not allow you to use the special character shortcut keys, you will have to use the Alt key combinations.  While holding down the Alt key, type the number combination on the keypad (make sure that the number lock is on).

To print a copy of this list for easy reference, click on the button below.  A new page will appear that contains only the list of Alt key combinations.  Simply click the print icon on your browser's tool bar.

For the Mac you will have to use the Option key.  While holding down the Option key, press the key indicated below for the correct accent, then press the letter you want to be accented.  If the special character does not appear, check to be sure that the Caps Lock is off.
 

l'accent aigu	Option-e
l'accent grave	Option-` (key just left of the 1 key)
l'accent circonflexe	Option-i
le tréma	Option-u
la cédille	Option-c only (you will not have to press C afterwards.

l'accent aigu

• é        Option-e then e

• è        Option-` then e
• à        Option-` then a
• ù        Option-` then u

• â        Option-i then a
• ê        Option-i then e
• î         Option-i then i
• ô        Option-i then o
• û        Option-i then u

• ë        Option-u then e
• ï         Option-u then i

• ç        Option-c only