Insert arrow symbol with keyboard

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Level 1

8 points

Insert arrow symbol with keyboard

Hi,

I just started using Pages, and I'm looking for a way to type an arrow symbol without using my mouse. I know I can find all the icons I would want in 'Special Characters', but using your mouse isn't efficient. I read somewhere I can add an autocorrect in preferences, languages and text, but when I try to add the autocorrect (from --> to →, similar to the autocorrection in Microsoft Word) it wont do this in Pages. The other autocorrections do work, but this one won't. The arrow symbol is a copy from the symbol Pages let's you insert in the special characters window.

So I'm wondering, what am I doing wrong that my --> won't turn into → in Pages, while the other autocorrections do work.

Thanks in advance!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Sep 1, 2014 8:04 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

VikingOSX

Community+ 2024

Level 10

111,809 points

Sep 1, 2014 8:26 AM in response to floorram

Here are the solutions that I use in System Preferences > Keyboard > Text. Both left and right arrows are visible in this screen capture. The right/left arrow symbol is directly from the Special Characters, Arrow category, which are double-clicked to place them in the With column. In Pages v5.2.2, the Edit > Substitutions > Text Replacement menu item is selected.

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Answer 2

Sep 1, 2014 8:27 AM in response to floorram

Menu > Apple > System Preferences > Keyboard > Text > + > Replace: --> > With: → > click somewhere else

This is available everywhere in OSX, with possible exception of Microsoft's software.

eg →

NB you need to follow the -->with a space. as here: → with a space.

Peter

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Answer 3

floorram Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 1, 2014 8:32 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

Thank you for your respons!

I followed your steps but still it won't work in pages.

I don't know for sure if you mean a space after --> in Pages (won't work) or in Text. If I put a space after --> in the Text menu, it says I can't put a space in the original text..

Should the autocorrect work in my browser (chrome)? Because it wont do that either at the moment. (it does work in Safari?)

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Answer 4

floorram Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 1, 2014 8:36 AM in response to VikingOSX

Ok I just 'fixed' it. Instead of putting --> in replace, i used -> like VikingOSX, and now that shortcut does work. I still think its strange --> won't work, but hey, it's something!

Thanks for your fast responses!

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Answer 5

Sep 1, 2014 9:10 AM in response to floorram

No it doesn't work in Chrome which probably isn't using Apple's frameworks, just like Microsoft.

It works in Pages 5.2.2 however, no sweat.

Peter

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Answer 6

Oct 15, 2014 11:12 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

Problem solved! I've been trying to do this for some time. Thanks Peter.

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