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Assigning Shortcuts to Special Characters in MS Word

Special Characters on and X-keys Stick Microsoft Word has its own utility for inserting symbols and characters and for assigning shortcuts to them. Here, we give a step by step procedure for assigning the shortcut and programming it into a key on the X-keys.

The method described here works very well for inserting characters and symbols in MS Word, but will not allow you to insert these characters in other applications. For more information on the X-keys we have set up for inserting characters, please go here: X-keys & Special Characters.

Selecting Symbol in MS Word's Insert menu Open the Insert Menu and select Symbol.

This will open Word’s Symbol and Special Character window.

Select a character. For this example we are using the “Less Than or Equal to” sign.

If a keystroke shortcut is assigned to this character it will be displayed. If there is no keystroke shortcut assigned, click the “Shortcut” button to create one.

Type a key combination for the shortcut. If the shortcut you type is already assigned to another character, a message and character will be displayed above the description of your current character. You can hit the Backspace key to try another shortcut. Click the “Assign” button to assign the shortcut to this character and close the window.

Program the Keystroke Shortcut in X-keys Macro Works

Launch Macro Maker, right-click on a key, and select Create/Edit Macro Launch X-keys Macro Maker (flip the programming switch on your X-keys up, or use the icon on your desktop, or follow the path Programs - X-keys - Macro Works - Macro Maker from Windows Start menu).

Right click on a key and select “Create/Edit Macro”.

Type the Macro and click the Stop button Type a name for the macro in the Caption field and Click the Start button.

Type the shortcut and note that each keystroke appears in the code window as you type it.

Once you click the Start button, Macro Maker is recording everything you do on the keyboard and ignoring the mouse. If you make a mistake, just click the Stop button, and click the Start button again to start over.

Save and Assign the Profile

Saving the file from the Save Icon Save the file.

Selecting Assign to Device in Macro Maker Open Macro Maker’s File menu and select Assign to Device.

Close Macro Maker by sliding the programming switch down on the X-keys or closing the window.

Questions & Notes:

Where can I buy an X-keys for special characters?

See all of our X-keys USB devices listed here: X-keys or you can order an X-keys Stick or X-keys Desktop and see how we set them up for special characters here: X-keys & Special Characters.

I have run out of keys

Should you find that you need more characters on your X-keys, a second layer is also made available by programming one key as a Layer Shift or Layer Toggle key. Selecting the second layer in Macro Maker will allow you to program the keys.

Tell us about it

We hope this tutorial is helpful. Please contact us with any questions or comments. E-mail: sales@piengineering.com

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Assigning Shortcuts to Special Characters in MS Word Microsoft Word has its own utility for inserting symbols and characters and for assigning shortcuts to them. Here, we give a step by step procedure for assigning the shortcut and programming it into a key on the X-keys. The method described here works very well for inserting characters and symbols in MS Word, but will not allow you to insert these characters in other applications. For more information on the X-keys we have set up for inserting characters, please go here: X-keys & Special Characters. Open the Insert Menu and select Symbol. This will open Word’s Symbol and Special Character window. Select a character. For this example we are using the “Less Than or Equal to” sign. If a keystroke shortcut is assigned to this character it will be displayed. If there is no keystroke shortcut assigned, click the “Shortcut” button to create one. Type a key combination for the shortcut. If the shortcut you type is already assigned to another character, a message and character will be displayed above the description of your current character. You can hit the Backspace key to try another shortcut. Click the “Assign” button to assign the shortcut to this character and close the window. Program the Keystroke Shortcut in X-keys Macro Works Launch X-keys Macro Maker (flip the programming switch on your X-keys up, or use the icon on your desktop, or follow the path Programs - X-keys - Macro Works - Macro Maker from Windows Start menu). Right click on a key and select “Create/Edit Macro”. Type a name for the macro in the Caption field and Click the Start button. Type the shortcut and note that each keystroke appears in the code window as you type it. Once you click the Start button, Macro Maker is recording everything you do on the keyboard and ignoring the mouse. If you make a mistake, just click the Stop button, and click the Start button again to start over. Save and Assign the Profile Save the file. Open Macro Maker’s File menu and select Assign to Device. Close Macro Maker by sliding the programming switch down on the X-keys or closing the window. Questions & Notes: Where can I buy an X-keys for special characters? See all of our X-keys USB devices listed here: X-keys or you can order an X-keys Stick or X-keys Desktop and see how we set them up for special characters here: X-keys & Special Characters. I have run out of keys Should you find that you need more characters on your X-keys, a second layer is also made available by programming one key as a Layer Shift or Layer Toggle key. Selecting the second layer in Macro Maker will allow you to program the keys. Tell us about it We hope this tutorial is helpful. Please contact us with any questions or comments. E-mail: sales@piengineering.com
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