Alt Keys Not Working Properly  

Stecyk said:

• Windows 10 Pro Version 1909 OS Build18363.657
• Edge Version 80.0.361.50 (Official build) (64-bit)

I often use ALT + 0151 to create an em dash (long dash). Now, when I using my browser, I get this symbol instead: ☺.

What happened between then and "now"? Did you recently update / upgrade Windows?

Well you say the ALT key "Fails in all browsers (Edge, Firefox, and Chrome), Excel, and DreamWeaver." Is it just the em dash or all ASCII keystrokes using ALT in those apps/browsers?

Stecyk said:

• Windows 10 Pro Version 1909 OS Build18363.657
• Edge Version 80.0.361.50 (Official build) (64-bit)

I often use ALT + 0151 to create an em dash (long dash). Now, when I using my browser, I get this symbol instead: ☺.

It doesn't matter whether I use Edge, Firefox, and Chrome, all have the same result. If I use other apps, the results seem to be mixed. For example, UltraEdit, Outlook, and Word all work as expected. I get an em dash. Yet when I use Excel, I get the happy face symbol again.

I have a hunch that something happened in one of the recent Windows or Office updates. I am not sure, however.

Is there anyway I can begin to try to solve this issue?

I've tried everything you've pointed out, Stecyk, and I always get the —.

I'm using the latest version of Office 365 and it's all good. Using Firefox here, and the — works just fine. I even opened Firefox again and typed ten— in the address bar and it worked just fine. It works just fine in Excel too. As you can see, it works fine here in TenForums.

I'm on Office 365 Build 12527.20092 Monthly Channel (Targeted), so unless you're using an Insider Preview of Office 365, I don't see how the problem could be with Office 365.

Wynona said:

I've tried everything you've pointed out, Stecyk, and I always get the —.

That is the "em dash" (without the period) according to this....Em dash | The Punctuation Guide. I get the same as you (minus the period).

Wynona said:

I've tried everything you've pointed out, Stecyk, and I always get the —.

I'm using the latest version of Office 365 and it's all good. Using Firefox here, and the — works just fine. I even opened Firefox again and typed ten— in the address bar and it worked just fine. It works just fine in Excel too. As you can see, it works fine here in TenForums.

We're using the same version of Office 365. It seems to be working for us

Can you answer my question in post #13 above?

Stecyk said:

I have a suspicion that I will never know what caused it. I just hopes that somehow it goes away on its own.

Understand it would help if you answered the question - jacee's. Also gave us specific examples - what app does not work? What are you seeing.

Additionally, it would help if you confirmed Wynona's and my findings... is what we posted what you're talking about concerning the em-dash???

Thanks

Jacee said:

Well you say the ALT key "Fails in all browsers (Edge, Firefox, and Chrome), Excel, and DreamWeaver." Is it just the em dash or all ASCII keystrokes using ALT in those apps/browsers?

Sorry, Jacee, I packed it in for the night and won’t be on my computer tomorrow. I will answer your question on Sunday. I haven’t tried other Alt keystrokes besides the em dash. But I will try others on Sunday and report back.

- - - Updated - - -

I am going to attempt to update my problem. I have created a lot of posts with information scattered across many of them. I will try to consolidate that information into this post. I will also attempt to answer questions by sygnus21, Jacee, and Wynona. If I don't properly answer your questions, please rephrase, and I will try again.

Jacee asked if it was just the em dash or all ASCII keystrokes using ALT.

I believe it is all ASCII keystrokes using ALT.

I will provide two screenshots where I tried four different ASCII characters. All four failed, so I am assuming that means all will fail.

Wynona mentioned that she has tried various permutations and combinations similar to mine without issues. She also mentioned that she is on the monthly build of Office 365.

I am on the semi-annual build, but that shouldn't make any difference. So I am at a loss to explain my problems.

syngus21 mentioned that everything is working for him and he uses Office 365 too.

Similar to my response to Wynona, I am at a loss to explain.

syngus21 followed up with additional requests. What apps work and don't work? And what am I seeing?

Works Fine: UltraEdit, Word, Outlook, File Browser, OneNOte
Fails: Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Excel, and DreamWeaver. I will provide some screenshots to help demonstrate what I am seeing.

Again, if I haven't properly addressed questions, please let me know.

I created the Excel and Word images independently. That is, I did not copy one to the other. Each was a fresh start.

Change your font to Arial and see what happens: Font map