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    Option codes for Greek letters

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by exi, Jan 22, 2010.

  1. exi

    exi Notebook Evangelist

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    I know that I can use the character palette to do this, but I'm looking for a faster way. I actually do have to use a few Greek letters with some frequency.

    I know there are a few:

    Option+J = ∆
    Option+W = ∑
    Option+P = π

    and so forth, but what about the other "biggies" -- alpha, beta, and gamma, for starters? Can't seem to find 'em; either there are no such codes, or I'm just not creative enough.
     
  2. Budding

    Budding Notebook Virtuoso

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    In the upper right corner of your menu bar, you should be able to see a flag representing the input language you're currently using on your Mac. Click it and select Show Keyboard to see your keyboard mapping. Then hold in Option or Option+Shift to see the keys that are mapped accordingly.

    Alternatively, in the same menu, open the Character Viewer and navigate to European Scripts>Greek.
     
  3. Khris

    Khris Yes I am better than you!

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    If you don't see this in your menu bar, go to SYSTEM PREFERENCES, KEYBOARD, and select SHOW KEYBOARD & CHARACTER VIEWER IN MENU BAR.
     
  4. exi

    exi Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for the tip -- didn't think to hold down Option / Option+Shift on the on-screen keyboard to see possible characters.

    Unfortunately, alpha and lowercase beta are missing, as is gamma. Character palette it is, I suppose.