In Microsoft Word, there are a number different ways to insert an umlaut. To automatically produce or insert a letter with an umlaut, use the Windows Ctrl and Alt key commands. You can also use Word’s Symbol tool or the Windows Character Map to insert an umlauted letter.
Ctrl-key commands
Certain Ctrl key combinations instruct Word to format letters a certain way. The formatting is then applied to the letter when you input it in Word.
Hold down the Ctrl, Shift, and: keys at the same time to make an ü. Press the letter u and then let go of the keys. When Word inserts the letter, it adds an umlaut. Use the same command, but substitute the letter o for ö to generate an ö. When making a ä, use the same command.
Use a keyboard shortcut for Alt.
Alternately, hold down the Alt key while using the number keypad on the keyboard to type a numeric code to create letters with umlauts. Hold down the Alt key while typing 148 or 0246 on the keypad, for instance, to type an ö. Word inserts the ö when the Alt key is released.
There are two shorthand codes for each lowercase and capital letter with an umlaut. The first has three, whereas the second has four. Either code may be used; if one is unsuccessful, try the other.
Ä = Alt-142 (or 0196)
ä = Alt-132 (or 0228)
Ö = Alt-153 (or 0214)
ö = Alt-148 (or 0246)
Ü = Alt-154 (or 0220)
ü = Alt-129 (or 0252)
You must use the keypad to enter these codes; the number line on a keyboard will not function. If your keyboard has a Fn key and numbers printed on the letters, you might be able to apply a workaround if you’re using it without a pad. Use the numbers over letters rather than the number line to input the code while holding down the Fn and Alt keys at the same time. Create the umlaut using the Symbol tool or Character Map if this doesn’t work.
Employ the Symbol Tool.
Select More Symbols from the Symbol menu after opening the Insert tab. To insert letters in the document’s chosen font, choose Normal Text in the Font box. Find the umlauted letter and choose it. Choose Insert.
Make use of the Windows Character Map
Use the search bar in the Windows 7 Start menu or the Windows 8 Home screen to enter “Character Map.” From the search results, launch the program.
In the Font box, type the font you want to use. Locate and choose the letter that has an umlaut. On the list, it will stand out. Add the letter using Select to the Characters to Copy box, then choose Copy. Insert the letter using paste.