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

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jon Watte, Microsoft DirectX MVP
  • Start date Start date
J

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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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 :-/
 
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