Special characters is unavailable
The feature is intended for Docs and Slides on desktop. On mobile or in Sheets, use the system keyboard or copy and paste.
TYPING GUIDE / GOOGLE DOCS
How to type accented letters in Google Docs
Use your operating-system keyboard for routine accents, Google Docs Special characters for visual search, or copy and paste an exact Unicode character.
QUICK ANSWER
Google Docs uses the keyboard input provided by Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, or mobile. For one unfamiliar character on desktop, open Insert and Special characters. For regular language writing, enable the language layout at the operating-system level.
METHOD SELECTOR
Choose the fastest method for your task
The best method depends on how often you type the character, whether you know its name or code, and which input layout is active. Use this table as a starting point, then follow the detailed instructions below.
| Situation | Best starting method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One known character | Copy and paste | Fast and preserves the exact Unicode value |
| Character known by appearance | Insert Special characters | Browse, search, or draw the shape |
| Repeated accents | Operating-system dead keys | Works directly while typing |
| Complete language writing | Language keyboard layout | Provides the complete practical character set |
Insert a special character from the Docs menu
On a computer, open Insert and choose Special characters. Search by a name such as “letter N with tilde,” browse a category, or draw the shape in the input area. Select the result to place it at the cursor.
Search terminology often follows Unicode-style names. A linguistic term may differ, so try the base letter and mark when an everyday term gives no result.
- Place the cursor in the document.
- Choose Insert, then Special characters.
- Search, browse, or draw the character.
- Select it and verify the result in the document font.
Use the operating-system keyboard for speed
Google Docs does not replace your system’s keyboard layout. Windows language layouts, US-International dead keys, Mac Option sequences, ChromeOS input methods, and mobile long-press menus all enter Unicode text into the document.
When you type a whole language regularly, configure its keyboard outside Docs. This also makes the characters available in email, forms, and other applications.
Copy and paste the exact character
Copying is useful when you can identify the character on a focused reference page but do not know its input method. Paste it at the cursor and check the original spelling and capitalization.
The destination document controls the font. A slightly different glyph shape does not necessarily mean the character changed. Use Undo immediately if the wrong variant was selected.
Use substitutions only when required
Docs supports Unicode, so there is normally no technical reason to remove accents. Keep marks in names and language text. If content must later enter a restricted system, follow that system’s documented fallback rather than applying one language’s rule universally.
For example, German ü may become ue when the character is unavailable, but that replacement does not apply automatically to Spanish or Turkish ü.
TROUBLESHOOTING
When the method does not work
Search cannot find the everyday name
Try the Unicode-style construction, such as “Latin small letter C with cedilla,” or search by the base letter and mark.
Pasted letter looks different
The Docs font controls the glyph design. Confirm the code point or copy from the focused page if identity matters.
Accents disappear after export
Check the destination format, encoding, and font. Google Docs itself supports Unicode characters.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about google docs typing
Where is Special characters in Google Docs?
On desktop, place the cursor and choose Insert, then Special characters.
Can I use Alt+X in Google Docs?
Word-style Alt+X is not a standard Google Docs feature. Use your system keyboard, Special characters, or copy and paste.
How do I type accents in the Google Docs mobile app?
Use the mobile keyboard’s long-press menu or add the relevant language keyboard.
Does Google Docs support Unicode accented letters?
Yes. The characters are stored as Unicode text, subject to the selected font having a visible glyph.
Other typing guides
References: Google Docs Editors Help for special characters, Unicode character charts.