On MacOS, the Option key functions as a modifier like the Shift key. Hold it down and press another key simultaneously to generate a special character. For Shift+Option, hold down both the Shift and Option keys, and press the necessary letter or number key simultaneously.

Some international characters may require you to hold down a modifier (option or shift+option together) and then press a sequence of two keys.

On Windows, the Alt key functions as a modifier like the Shift key. To make special characters, hold down the Alt key and type in the numbers from the numeric keypad.

On the some small keyboards (e.g., laptop keybaords) you access the “numeric keypad” by pressing the NumLock key and then looking for the keys on your keyboard that double as numeric keypad keys when in NumLock mode. U, I, and O may have the numbers 7, 8, and 9 printed on them, for example. You will need to use those numbers to type special characters.