Alt-numpad unicode characters don't work in Outlook 2007 SP1?

[Jon Watte, Microsoft DirectX MVP]

I use a US keyboard to communicate in multiple languages. For languages with
special characters (like ä or é) I usually use Alt-0XXX codes. In most
programs, this works fine (I believe this Unicode recognition is built-into
the Windows keyboard input system). However, ever since I upgraded to Outlook
2007 SP1 from Outlook 2000, I can't do it in e-mail. Alt-0228 results in
nothing, and Alt-0229 results in a tab character.
Is this a known problem? Is there some setting or registry entry I can
change to make this work? I'm at a loss for where to even begin
troubleshooting this problem, as it works fine in most other programs.

 

[Jon Watte, Microsoft DirectX MVP]

This can't be that hard to try out.
1) New Message in Outlook 2007
2) Try holding down left-Alt, and typing 0228 on the numpad
3) You should get ä
4) You actually doesn't get that in Outlook

 

[Just Ed]

I had the same issue and could not work to correct it. But at least I know
why it happens and a way to work around it. You can either uncheck the option
of using Microsoft Word as your e-mail editor, or type the code first and
then Alt-X. About the second option, I believe you need to learn the new
codes (whatever that is). I used alt 164 to type the ñ but now I need to type
00F1 and then Alt-X. Hope it helps.

 

[Jon Watte, Microsoft DirectX MVP]

Thanks. I think that this behavior is a terrible regression!

It appears that Outlook 2007 doesn't actually have an option to use Word or
not for editing -- it seems to always have this annoying, Windows-breaking
behavior.

And I thought the Office group was hip to the internationalization thing and
tested with a variety of users. See how much I know :-/