How do you type a capital with an accent?
Most keyboards use a dead key: first the accent, then Shift with the letter. On US-International, ' and then Shift + E gives É. On a UK Mac, Option + E and then Shift + E.
On UK QWERTY in Windows, AltGr + Shift + E gives É, but there is no key for È or À.
The keys on each keyboard
Belgian AZERTY (Windows)
- É
- AltGr+ùthenShift+E
- È
- AltGr+µthenShift+E
- Ê
- ^thenShift+E
- À
- AltGr+µthenShift+A
Belgian AZERTY (Mac)
- É
- –
- È
- `thenShift+E
- Ê
- ^thenShift+E
- À
- `thenShift+A
Not on this layout. Use the macOS Character Viewer: Control + Command + Space.
US QWERTY
Not on US QWERTY. Switch Windows to the US-International layout, or use an Alt code on the numeric keypad.
US International
- É
- 'thenShift+E
- È
- `thenShift+E
- Ê
- Shift+6thenShift+E
- À
- `thenShift+A
UK QWERTY (Windows)
- É
- AltGr+Shift+E
- È
- –
- Ê
- –
- À
- –
Not on UK QWERTY in Windows. Switch to the UK Extended layout, or use an Alt code on the numeric keypad.
UK QWERTY (Mac)
- É
- Option+EthenShift+E
- È
- Option+`thenShift+E
- Ê
- Option+IthenShift+E
- À
- Option+`thenShift+A
Try it on your own keyboard
With an Alt code
On Windows with a numeric keypad: hold Alt, type 0201 on the numeric keypad and let go of Alt. Then É appears.
Frequently asked questions
Does a capital keep its accent?
In French and Dutch it does, as in "École" or "Één". In English the accent mostly appears in borrowed words and names.
Does it work on a Mac?
Mostly, with other keys. The list above shows it for every keyboard, the Mac included.
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