If you’re using Windows and your keyboard has a numeric keypad – the section to the right of the cursor keys – then you can easily type any symbol. Simply hold the Alt key and then type the four-digit code on the numeric keypad. To type a £ sign, you would hold the Alt key and them type 0163. To type a € sign, press Alt and type 0128 and it will appear in the text box or document. You can also type the squared symbol or a degree symbol, among others. That’s fine if you have the right keyboard, but what if you don’t have a numeric keypad? Here are a couple of other shortcuts:
For the Euro symbol press Ctrl+Alt+4 togetherFor the Pound sign press Shift+3 togetherOn a Mac press Option+3
These can work even if your keyboard doesn’t display the symbol on the number keys themselves. If none of these work, try adding the UK keyboard to Windows by going to: Control Panel > Clock, Language and Region > Keyboards and Languages > Change Keyboards > Add. Now choose UK Keyboard. To switch to it click the language shortcut to the left of the clock in the Notification area and choose UK. Shift+3 should now produce the £ symbol.
Copy & Paste
The ‘cheating’ way is to find the symbol you need in another document or on a web page and copy and paste it. Highlight the symbol using whichever method you’re comfortable with – usually the mouse – and them press Ctrl+C to copy it. Go to the app or web page where you need the £ sign or € sign, click to position your cursor in the correct spot and press Ctrl+V to paste it.
Insert a symbol
Many word processors have a dedicated tool for symbols, which is another way to get the £ sign or € sign. In Word, for example, click on the Insert tab of the Ribbon (or use the Insert menu) and choose Symbol. You should find the pound sign and Euro symbol on the top row. Click on it and it will appear wherever your cursor is.
On an iPhone or iPad
At the bottom left of the on-screen keyboard is a ‘123’ key. This flips the alphabetic keyboard to the numbers and symbols. But if you don’t see the £ or € sign, long-press on the currency symbol you do see and a set of alternatives will appear. Just drag your finger to the one you want and let go.
If you have a hardware keyboard for your iPad and it’s a US version, it can be impossible to type the £ or € sign, but it largely depends upon the app or website you’re using. For example, in Pages, typing a $ sign should generate a £ sign if your region settings are set to UK English. It’s the same for the € sign when your region is set to a European country. However, you can use the Text Replacement tool so you can quickly type the symbol you need without worrying about regional settings. So go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement Tap the + sign and enter the £ or € sign as your Phrase. Now enter the shortcut you want. You might use $$ for £ and $$$ for €. Then you can type two $ signs to make a £ appear and three to make a Euro sign appear.
Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
