Alt Keys Not Working Properly

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  1. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
       #1

    Alt Keys Not Working Properly


    • 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?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 819
    10
       #2

    I'm guessing here but what happens in safe mode?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 1,608
    Win 10 home 20H2 19042.1110
       #3

    See if turning on the numbers lock using Alt + number, works.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 14,468
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       #4

    — Seems to be okay with me on a Desktop.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    The Pool Man said:
    I'm guessing here but what happens in safe mode?
    I tried getting into Safe Mode, but when I tried, I got many different options. I didn't want to mess around UEFI (spelling?), so I tried another "fix" setting. It left a bunch of txt files in this following directory: C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\Srt

    I looked at a few of them, and the files seemed to indicate that everything passes.

    I tried using Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > RestartI was hoping that Safe Mode would be clearly displayed but it isn't.

    My biggest fear is that I make a much bigger problem than the currently small problem that I now have.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Jacee said:
    See if turning on the numbers lock using Alt + number, works.
    Yeah, when I first encountered this problem, that's the first thing I did. I toggled the Num Lock on and off. When it's OFF, nothing works. But when it is ON, I can get my em dash on UltraEdit, Word, and Outlook, but not any of the browsers or Excel. This seems weird because I would expect that apps would either work or fail. I would not expect some to work and not others.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Berton said:
    — Seems to be okay with me on a Desktop.
    Yeah, for some strange reason, I seem to have the magic combination of factors that is causing my grief. I know it worked a short while ago. Now it doesn't.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 819
    10
       #6

    Stecyk said:
    I tried getting into Safe Mode, but when I tried, I got many different options.
    Since I'm still a rookie at supporting PCs I put "I'm guessing" because, yeah, I'm guessing. Maybe one of the Windows Warriors here knows what to make of those results. Me? Mr. Mag-lueless.

    :)

    Best of luck!
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,608
    Win 10 home 20H2 19042.1110
       #7

    Just as a test see if this might work:
    1. type an ampersand followed by a pound sign (&#) first. Then
    2.Type the number of the code for the character you want to add.
    3.Type a semicolon ; to finish.
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Jacee said:
    Just as a test see if this might work:
    1. type an ampersand followed by a pound sign (&#) first. Then
    2.Type the number of the code for the character you want to add.

    3.Type a semicolon ; to finish.
    — (I don't think that is what you intended.) As I am typing this in, I see a ampersand pound zero one five one semicolon. But once I save the changes, the website interprets that to be an em dash.

    If I hit the Alt key first for the first six characters, I get ☺;

    I just found out that I can add an em dash in OneNote and File browser too. Works: UltraEdit, Word, Outlook, File browser and OneNote. Fails in all browsers (Edge, Firefox, and Chrome), Excel, and DreamWeaver.
    Last edited by Stecyk; 14 Feb 2020 at 18:23. Reason: Adding additional information
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,608
    Win 10 home 20H2 19042.1110
       #9

    Yes, it's just another way to use ASCII in html
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 78
    Windows 10 Pro - 64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Jacee said:
    Yes, it's just another way to use ASCII in html
    It's an odd problem. I would expect everything to fail or everything to work. As it is now, I just have to try to enter the codes in an application to find out whether it works in that specific application. And I have no clue how to go about troubleshooting this issue. I have a hunch I am just going to have to learn to live with it.
      My Computer


 

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