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How do I modify a single alt+key character or symbol?

I need to modify a keyboard alternate character. For example, I want get the ♭(Musical Flat Symbol) by pressing Alt + Shift + 3. Currently, I see that Alt+ Key combination creates the ‹ symbol (which I may never use).

I see older posts re: similar needs, but all Solutions imply I must use Character viewer / favorites to grab my ♭ each time I want to insert it or copy and paste repeatedly. Both methods require too many steps each for each insertion. Other posts suggest using an external 'Special Fonts Software Download' to Modify the Alt+ Keys. That sounds potentially dangerous. Is there an actual Simple Apple Solution to this that I'm missing? - Thanks

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.1)

Posted on Sep 6, 2012 11:19 PM

19 replies

Jan 19, 2013 4:06 AM in response to jamfromsanmateo

Hi Don I have tried to get this to work but to no avail.

The only two I get to work are from the defaults already avilable ie. (c) gets me the copyright icon and (r) gets me the registered Icon no others seem to work ie (p) should give a lower case p in a circle but doesnt and using the Shift / Option 3 to replace < with the b Flat doesnt work

I am interested in using the Shift/ Option 3 to get the b Flat icon used in music.

Do you have ideas why this isnt working is there other settings needed?

Regards

Fred

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

115,952 points

Jan 19, 2013 7:50 AM in response to Frederick0245

Frederick0245 wrote:

no others seem to work ie (p) should give a lower case p in a circle but doesnt and using the Shift / Option 3 to replace < with the b Flat doesnt work

Use the camera icon to post a screen shot of how you have set up Symbol and Text Substitution for these items.

Jan 19, 2013 8:24 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Hi Tom please find herewith screen grab for Symbol & text subs

Regards Fred

PS I am running Snow Leopard 10.6.8 and my document is in MS Office for MAC

Jan 19, 2013 9:01 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Tom I have solved the problem. I needed to go into Edit>Substitutions>Text Replacement from the Edit Menu.

To get the result from within Word goto Preferences>Text Replacement and setup the Option / Shift 3 with the b Flat.

Problem seems that not all applications seem to work with the setup from within Apple preferences.

Tom thanks very much for your help and time

Regards

Fred

How do I modify a single alt+key character or symbol?