On a MacBook with an American keyboard (the standard in the Netherlands) many special characters sit in a slightly different place than you are used to, and accents such as é and ë are not printed at all. You can still type them quickly once you know the combinations. This article lists the special characters: @, #, the backslash, accents, umlauts and more.
Blue Apple repairs MacBook keyboards in Amsterdam. If a different character appears than you expect, the keyboard layout is often the cause; more about that below.
Common characters
- @ (at sign): Shift + 2.
- # (hash): Shift + 3.
- &: Shift + 7.
- \ (backslash): the key above Return. With Shift: | (vertical bar).
- ~ (tilde): Shift + ` (the key top left, next to 1).
- €: Option + Shift + 2. More in how to type the euro sign on a Mac.
- °: Option + Shift + 8.
- –: Option + hyphen (en dash).
Accents and umlauts
For a letter with an accent, first type an Option combination and then the letter:
- é, á, ó: Option + E, then the letter.
- è, à: Option + ` (backtick), then the letter.
- ë, ü, ï: Option + U, then the letter.
- ê, â: Option + I, then the letter.
- ñ, ã: Option + N, then the letter.
- ç: Option + C.
- ß: Option + S.
Need a capital? Hold Shift with the letter as well, for example Option + E and then Shift + E for É. After the Option combination you briefly see a highlighted accent; that is normal, it merges as soon as you type the letter.
The easiest way: hold the letter down
Hold a letter down briefly. A small menu with numbered variants appears. Press the number or click the character you want. That way you find é, ë, è and more without remembering combinations.
Every character: the Character Viewer
Press Control + Command + Space bar (or the Globe key) for the window with emoji and symbols. Type in the search field what you are looking for, such as "arrow", "degree" or "copyright". Also see how to type emoji on a Mac.
Maths, arrows and quotation marks
- Option + =: ≠ (not equal to). Option + comma: ≤. Option + full stop: ≥.
- Option + [ and Option + Shift + [: the typographic quotation marks “ and ”.
- Option + ;: … (a real ellipsis).
- Option + 2: ™. Option + G: ©. Option + R: ®.
Many apps also turn straight quotes into curly ones automatically. If you do not want that, turn it off in System Settings, Keyboard, under text input.
A different character appears
If you type Shift + 2 and get " instead of @, a different keyboard layout is set (British, for example). Go to System Settings, Keyboard, Input Sources and choose the layout that matches the print on your keys (usually ABC or U.S.). If you prefer a layout where accents work directly, "U.S. International - PC" can be handy: there you make é with ' and then e.
A key does not work
If a certain key does not work, or you have to press it hard, there may be dirt under it or the mechanism is worn. Read how to clean your MacBook keyboard and MacBook keyboard not working. More about the Option key in the Option and Alt key.
What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam
For keys that do not respond we check whether cleaning is enough, or whether a key or the keyboard needs replacing. You hear beforehand what it will be. More on our page about MacBook keyboard repair.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the at sign on a MacBook?
On an American keyboard under Shift + 2.
Can I choose a Dutch keyboard layout?
Yes, but most Dutch MacBooks have an American print. Choose a layout that matches your keys, otherwise you type the wrong characters.
How do I type a quotation mark without an accent?
Type ' or " and then a space. With the international layout they otherwise combine with the next letter.
