Changing the default diacritic type when pressing Option+ letter

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Level 1

8 points

Changing the default diacritic type when pressing Option+ letter

Hey there community...

I'm struggling on my new macbook pro to sort something out and hope someone can help?

I'm trying to make the Option + letter type the macron, but currently it does the ring above the letter instead. Is there a way to change what the default diacritic is when doing the Option + letter?

I've already installed Maori in the Language and Region preferences, and this was all I needed to do on my old macbook to make it work. I've tried restarting, and that doesn't seem to reset it either.

What else do I need to do to be able to type macrons quickly? I use them often as I use many Maori words in my work.

I'm on a 2020 M1 Macbook pro with Big Sur 11.2.2

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on May 12, 2021 8:14 PM

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Answer 1

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

118,196 points

May 12, 2021 9:34 PM in response to Bren_O

Bren_O wrote:

I've already installed Maori in the Language and Region preferences

That's the wrong place. You need to add Maori in system preferences > keyboard > input sources.

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/type-language-mac-input-sources-mchlp1406/11.0/mac/11.0

and

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-the-keyboard-viewer-on-mac-mchlp1015/11.0/mac/11.0

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Answer 2

Bren_O Author

Level 1

8 points

May 13, 2021 4:15 PM in response to Tom Gewecke

Thanks, this has fixed the issue for me! I've now got my input source set to to Māori, and it lets me use the Option+letter function for the macrons.

Much appreciated!!

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Answer 3

Barney-15E

Level 10

116,206 points

May 12, 2021 8:31 PM in response to Bren_O

There is no way to change them. I'm not sure if a keystroke modifier would be able to.

However, you use a specific Option+letter for a particular diacritical, depending on your keyboard layout. You can then type the character you want to modify.

Option+e is used for ´ ; Option+I is used for ˆ; Option+e, i produces í

With the US Extended keyboard layout, you can generate a macron with Option+a. e.g., ō. On the normal US keyboard, Option+a produces å. You may need to see if there is an Extended Maori keyboard layout.

Additionally, you should just need to hold down the letter for a few seconds and a list of options will appear.

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Changing the default diacritic type when pressing Option+ letter

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