The Gmail web app does not have a built-in feature to insert special characters. In order to use special characters in Gmail, you must use either a virtual emoji keyboard, a Unicode character generator, alt/option key codes, or a Google Chrome extension.
In this article, I cover eight useful methods that allow you to use special characters and symbols in Gmail.
1 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With Windows Emoji Keyboard
1 – Set your cursor in Gmail where you would like to insert the special character.
2 – Press the key combination Win Key (🪟) + Period (•).
3 – Click on the symbols tab in the menu at the top of the virtual keyboard.
4 – Insert any special characters that you would like to use by clicking on them.
2 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With Character Map (Windows)
1 – Press the Windows Key🪟 to open the start menu on your Windows 10 or 11 computer.
2 – Type the word character map and then click on the character map app.
3 – Select the font you’ll like to use from the font dropdown menu at the top of the window.
4 – Select a special character in the character selection area by clicking on it first and then clicking on the select button.
5 – Copy the special character by clicking on the copy button.
6 – Return to Gmail and position your cursor where you would like to insert the character.
7 – Paste in the special character using CTRL + V.
3 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With the macOS Emoji Keyboard
1 – Click on an empty space on your desktop and confirm that it says finder in the menu bar next to the apple logo
2 – Press the key combinations FN + E to open the emoji keyboard.
3 – Click on the double arrow icon at the bottom right of the window to view the special characters category.
4 – Locate the character that you’d like to use then click and drag it into the Gmail compose box.
4 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With Character Viewer (macOS)
1 – Open the macOS on-screen emoji keyboard using the instructions in the previous step.
2 – Click on the window icon to the top right of the emoji keyboard to expand the character viewer.
3 – Use the category menu to the left to filter the list of characters or use the search bar to search for the specific character you want.
4 – Click on the character then drag it into the Gmail text area.
5 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With Alt Codes (Windows )
This method only works if you use a full-size windows keyboard containing a number pad.
1 – Use this alt code lookup table to find the special characters you are looking for.
2 – Once the character is located make a note of the alt code. For example, Alt + 0151 is the alt code for the Em dash.
3 – Return to Gmail and place the cursor where you would like to insert the special character.
4 – If Num Lock is disabled, press the Num Lock key on your keyboard to enable it. Once enabled you would see a light indicator on your keyboard.
5 – While holding the Alt key, enter the numerical sequence using the dedicated number pad.
6 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With Option Codes (macOS)
1 – Use this macOS option codes lookup table to locate the special characters that you would like to use.
2 – Once found, make a note of the option code for the special character. For example, Option + 2611 is the option code for a checked checkbox.
3 – Go to Gmail and place your cursor in the location where you would like to insert the special character.
4 – While holding either one of the option keys enter the numerical sequence for the character you selected.
7 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With A Unicode Character Generator
1 – Use this link to open a Unicode character generator in a new tab.
2 – Enter the name of the special character that you are looking for in the search bar and click on the suggested symbol.
3 – Click on the copy button below the selected character.
4 – Return to Gmail and place your cursor where you would like to insert the special character.
5- Paste the character in the desired location using CTRL + V if you are on Windows or Command + V If you are on macOS.
8 – Insert Special Characters In Gmail With A Google Chrome Extension
1 – Use this link to go to the glyphs extension download page.
2 – Click on the add to chrome button to install the extension.
3 – Once installed, return to Gmail and place your cursor where you would like to insert the special character.
4 – Click on the all extensions icon located on the right of the Google Chrome browser’s address bar.
5 – From the list of available extensions select the Glyphs extension.
6 – Use the search bar to find the special character that you would like to insert into Gmail.
7 – Once located click on the character to insert it in your desired location.
