Labeling: how do I type "STARS" ?

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You could copy and paste form here if you like!
M.

Alternatively you'll find it in your character palate in the Stars and Asterisks sub-menu it's the first character or 'view: Code tables:Unicode 2605'
Hope this helps
M.

You might want to try creating a brand new Library, and then import/merge the exported Library into/with the new Library (just double-click the Library file in Finder while the new Library is loaded). That should retain everything in your Library, and give you back the top level standard filters and views.

The "Special Characters" palette is built-in to OS X. Every program which accepts text input should provide a menu choice for "+Edit→Special Characters+". Look around -- there's a lot there (way too much to go into here, but be sure to click both "Favorites" and "Collections"). Double-clicking a character inserts it wherever you left the insertion point.