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Special characters are symbols or signs that do not correspond to the standard letters and numbers of a traditional keyboard. The use of these special characters is of great importance in various contexts such as computer programming, text writing, password security, and mathematical or scientific data entry.
In programming, special characters are essential. They allow you to perform specific operations, such as separating character strings or representing complex instructions. For example, braces { } are used to delimit blocks of code, while the semicolon ; indicates the end of an instruction.
In the data entry, special characters such as mathematical symbols (+, -, *, /) are used to perform calculations or represent operations. On the other hand, characters like @ and # have acquired major importance in digital communication, especially in email addresses and social networks.
In terms of security, integrating special characters into passwords is a crucial strategy to increase their complexity and resistance to attacks. A password containing letters, numbers, and special characters is considerably more difficult to crack than a password containing only letters.
Finally, in the area of writing, the use of special characters can enrich a text, making it easier to read thanks to appropriate punctuation marks or allowing the insertion of specific symbols such as copyright (©), registered trademarks (®), or emotional icons (emoticons).
Special characters therefore play an indispensable role in modern communication. Their mastery is an asset to navigate with ease in today’s digital landscape and to express ideas with precision and clarity. The list of special characters is extensive, and their usage will vary depending on the context and specific user needs.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts: The Essential List
Keyboard shortcuts are key combinations that allow you to quickly perform actions often performed with the mouse. In Windows, knowing the essential keyboard shortcuts can greatly improve your efficiency and productivity. Here’s a guide to the most useful shortcuts you should know.
General Windows shortcuts
General shortcuts are those that can be used in most situations when working with Windows.
- Ctrl+C : Copy selected item
- Ctrl+X : Cut selected item
- Ctrl+V : Paste the selected item
- Ctrl+Z : Cancel previous action
- Ctrl+Y : Redo the canceled action
- Alt+Tab : Switch between open applications
- Windows + D : Show or hide desktop
- Windows + E : Open File Explorer
- Windows + L : Lock the computer
- Alt+F4 : Close the active application or turn off the PC
Window management shortcuts
When you have multiple windows open, these shortcuts will help you manage them efficiently.
- Windows + Left Arrow : Dock the window to the left half of the screen
- Windows + Right Arrow : Dock the window to the right half of the screen
- Windows + Up arrow : Enlarge window
- Windows + Down arrow : Minimize window
- Windows + Home : Minimize/restore all windows except the active one
- Alt + Space : Open the menu of the active window
- F11 : Enable/disable full screen mode
Shortcuts for Task Manager
Task Manager is an essential tool for monitoring running applications and processes, and terminating unresponsive tasks.
- Ctrl+Shift+Esc : Open Task Manager
- Ctrl + Alt + Del : Open the Windows Security screen, where you can launch Task Manager
File Explorer Shortcuts
Windows File Explorer makes it easy to navigate folders and files on your hard drives.
- Windows + E : Open File Explorer
- Alt+P : Show preview pane
- Alt+S : Show details pane
- Ctrl + Scroll Wheel : Change the size of the icons
Execute command shortcuts
The Run dialog box allows you to quickly launch programs or open folders by typing their names.
- Windows + R : Open Run command
Shortcuts for virtual desktop
Virtual desktops are a Windows feature that allows you to better organize open applications by distributing them across multiple desktops.
- Windows + Ctrl + D : Add a new virtual desktop
- Windows + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow : Navigate between virtual desktops
- Windows + Ctrl + F4 : Close the current virtual desktop
Mastering these keyboard shortcuts can save you a ton of time and make your Windows experience smoother. Try to practice them regularly to memorize them and integrate them into your daily workflow.
Mac Tip: Master Special Characters
Do you own a Mac and often find yourself faced with the need to insert special characters into your texts? Whether for professional or personal reasons, mastering special characters can be essential. Fortunately, Apple offers several practical methods to easily access them. Find out how to use and remember these tips to easily enrich your documents.
Mac keyboard shortcuts for special characters
Using keyboard shortcuts is arguably the quickest method to insert special characters on Mac. Here are some classic combinations:
- E (Capital É accent acute): Option + e, release, then press E.
- HAS (With serious capital letters): Option + ` (the key to the left of 1), release, then press HAS.
- E (Ê capital letter circumflex accent): Option + i, release then press E.
- VS (capital C cedilla): Shift + Option + vs.
- The Euro symbol € : Option + Shift + 2.
- The character Oh (O capital letter circumflex accent): Option + i, release then press O.
Keep in mind that these combinations may differ depending on the keyboard layout you are using (AZERTY, QWERTY, etc.).
Use the keyboard view
If you have trouble remembering all the shortcuts, the keyboard visualizer can be a big help. To activate it:
- Go in System Preferences > Keyboard.
- Check the box Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.
By clicking on the icon which then appears in your menu bar, you will be able to display a virtual keyboard which will show you in real time the special characters accessible via the keys Option And Shift.
Use the emoji & symbols view on Mac
Emoji and special symbols can also be inserted using a dedicated menu accessible via the keyboard shortcut Control + Order + Space. This tool comes in handy not only for emojis, but also for a huge collection of special characters organized by category.
Customize shortcuts
Do you have certain special characters that you use frequently that don’t have a default shortcut? You can create new ones via Keyboard Preferences. Here’s how to do it:
- Open them System Preferences from your Mac and go to Keyboard.
- Click on Shortcuts then select Text in the left pane.
- With the button + At the bottom of the list, you can add a new shortcut and assign it the special character of your choice.
This method is ideal for saving time and optimizing your workflow.
Practical applications and creation of custom shortcuts
Creating custom shortcuts
Creating custom shortcuts may seem intimidating, but it’s actually a fairly simple process that can be done on most operating systems or software. Here are some general steps for creating your own shortcuts:
- Identify tasks you perform regularly that could benefit from a shortcut.
- Check if a shortcut already exists for this task in the software you are using.
- If no shortcut is available, check the software settings or preferences to add a new keyboard shortcut.
- Test the shortcut to make sure it works correctly and does not interfere with other commands.
Many software programs allow you to configure shortcuts directly in their options, while others may require the use of third-party tools to create more advanced shortcuts or macros.
Examples of custom shortcuts
Here are some examples of custom shortcuts you might consider:
| Application | Action | Custom shortcut |
| Text editor | Find and replace | Ctrl+Shift+F |
| Email software | Mark as read/unread | Ctrl+M |
| Spreadsheet | Insert a new line | Ctrl+Shift+I |
Note : Custom shortcuts may vary depending on software and user preferences.
Creating personalized shortcuts is a simple and effective way to boost your productivity and simplify your daily work. By taking full advantage of this feature, you will be able to significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks and focus more on value-added activities. Feel free to experiment and find the shortcuts that best suit your needs.