Alt Keys Not Working Properly

Wynona said:

I didn't mean to, but something happened. I don't know how I straightened it out, though. Been a long time since I did that.

Wow! I'm battin' a thousand today, on wrong replies! Sorry, Xaccell.

I've been having the same problem, but since I just started using a new computer with Windows 10, it wasn't the result of an upgrade. (As to what's causing it, I think that some programs just instantly respond to the Alt key being held down, but who knows.) Anyway, this is the solution that worked for me: after holding down the ALT key, then hold down Fn before typing the numbers. (I don't think it works in the reverse order.) Hopefully it'll work for you too!! (And thanks for posting, because I was glad to discover that someone else had even noticed the *existence* of my problem...)

I was so angry that my new computer didn't have a alternative numberpad, and THEN even after getting an external numpad, it still wasn't working....

To give credit where credit is due, I was inspired to try using the Fn key from this site: How to Make Symbols with Your Keyboard | Productivity Portfolio

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?

Hello dkrasne,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I had forgotten about my issue. I had simply given up because it didn't work before.

Now when I press ALT + 0151, I get — (em dash). That the correct symbol. Before when I did that, I got a happy face.

I am not sure what caused my problem or what resolved it. But in any event, it's gone for now.

I hope your solution continues to work for you. My guess is that when we update our OS or some software, the problem either appears or disappears. Let's hope it goes away permanently for both of us.

Again, thank you for sharing your experience.