Alt key codes for dashes giving wrong characters in Windows

Question

If I type alt+0150, I get ☼, rather than – (en dash).

If I type alt+0151, I get ù, rather than — (em dash).

I would have expected to get dashes in both cases. I'm pretty sure it used to work.

This is happening in Word 2007 and Office 2007 on Windows 7.

What is going on?

Answer 1

You can also insert Unicode characters using their Unicode ID (2013 for the dash you're using) by typing it out and then pressing Alt + x with the insertion pointer directly after the number.

Answer 2

You need to use the correct font. If you change your font to 'Lucinda Console' it will fix this. Or you could find the right dash in the font you are using.

Answer 3

You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Numpad - to insert a dash character. This will work reguardless of the font selected.

Answer 4

You can use the Word Insert Symbol dialog to insert the symbol into your document.

Find a Unicode character code

When you select a Unicode character in the Symbol dialog box, its character code appears in the Character code box.

1. On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click Symbol, and then click More Symbols.

2. On the Symbols tab, in the Font box, click the font that you want.

3. In the from box, click Unicode (hex).

4. The Unicode character code is displayed in the Character code box.

[ Source ]

Answer 5

You can use the Windows Character map to insert a character into Word.

1. Press Win + R
2. Type charmap, and press Enter
3. Click the character that you'd like.
4. Press Alt + S, Alt + C
5. Open your document and paste the character where you want it.