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Identify two keyboard codes and how to enter them

Hello,

What type of codes are the following and how do you enter them using a standard PC keyboard?

asc 225
U+03B4

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I thought the technique was to hold down the ALT key while entering the characters in the number pad. However, for the first one, I've tried each of the following entries and only get clubs (♣♣♣).

ALT+225
ALT+0225
ALT+{NumpadAdd}225

I found them in an AutoHotkey script in which case they code for ß & Δ respectively.

b::Send {ASC 225}
+c::Send {U+03B4}

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Thanks

Joe Winograd

My guess is that the problem is that you don't have NumLock on. For example, with NumLock on, Alt-225 and Alt-916 create these, respectively (in many programs, including Word, but not all):

ß
Δ

Here's a nice chart with the codes for the Greek letters:
http://www.keynotesupport.com/websites/greek-letters-symbols.shtml

Regards, Joe

Arana (G.P.)

if you get clubs it just means that the window you are trying to type that in doesnt support extended ascii or unicode,
try using notepad
alt+225 will result in ß
and for the greek delta δ you must use either charmap or create a registry key under
HKEY_CURRENT_USER of type REG_SZ called EnableHexNumpad , set it to 1, and reboot.
Then you can enter Unicode symbols by holding down Alt key and typing the plus sign on the numeric keypad followed by the character value.
Alt (hold it) then +03b4

When you release the Alt key, the symbol will appear.

WeThotUWasAToad

ASKER

Thanks for the response Joe.

No, I checked that and NumLock is definitely on. However, your comment implied that holding down the ALT-key while entering the three digits is indeed the correct procedure. As a result, I tried a few other things and interestingly, here is what I discovered:

I was attempting to enter the code in Notepad, not an Office app. Normally, that should not make any difference but also, because of my disability, I always have activated a setting in Windows Ease of Access Center called Sticky Keys. Sticky Keys enables you to simply tap a modifier key (rather than holding it down) and still have its effect applied to the next keystroke.

For example, typical use of modifier keys (say for capitalizing the letter A) is the following:

{Shift down} > "a" > {Shift up}

but with Sticky Keys active, this will suffice:

{Shift} > "a"

With a little testing, I discovered that:
• with Sticky Keys off, Alt+225 returns ß in Notepad and Excel as expected.
• with Sticky Keys on, Alt+225 does not return ß in Notepad but instead returns Alt+5, a club (♣).
• with Sticky Keys on, Alt+225 does return ß in Excel, as it should.

Sort of odd, don't you think?

WeThotUWasAToad

ASKER

Thanks for the response arana. You must have posted while I was typing my reply to Joe.

I have always wondered about the U... codes.