Have you ever needed a symbol or some other special character like the degree symbol, the small square checkbox, the copyright symbol, etc.? Well, they're tucked away in a folder that, once you know where to look, is easy to get to and use.

Here's How:

Click the Start Button, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then select Character Map.

You'll be presented with a screen that has lots of different symbols. When you click (and hold) a symbol, it gives you an enlarged preview of it.

To actually select the symbol:

1. Click the symbol you want.
2. Click the Select button, then the Copy button.

This will copy your symbol onto the clipboard where you can then paste it into any word processing program, email, etc.

If you find yourself using a particular symbol all the time, check out the lower right hand corner of the window. On the status bar, you can view the keystroke combo you can use to generate the current character.

Now, all you have to do is hit your keystroke combo (Alt+0169) whenever you need the beloved ©. Oh, and when you type in the numbers, be sure to use the keypad on the right-hand side of your keyboard, not the ones above your letter keys.

Some word processors give you direct access to the character map. In Word for example, click the Insert menu and select Symbol. You will be given a "customized" screen that can automatically insert a symbol directly into your current document. Go to the font you are using then select.

Again, if you find yourself using a particular symbol all the time, check out the lower right hand corner of the symbol window. On the status bar, you can view the keystroke combo you can use to generate the current character. Here you would hit your keystroke combo (Alt+c) whenever you need ©.

Isn't that special.

~ Steve