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Find and insert symbols for special keys

OS X uses certain special characters to describe the modifier keys required for keyboard shortcuts. When you write about such shortcuts, you may want to include these characters in your text, so you can write ⇧⌘S instead of shift-command-S.

But how do you find these characters?

To find these characters, type part of their Unicode names in PopChar's search field. For example, type "inter" to find the command key symbol. If you need these characters frequently, add them to PopChar's Favorites section, so you can immediately access them with a single click.

Note that these special characters are not available in every font. You can find them in Lucida Grande, in the Unicode blocks "Arrows" and "Miscellaneous Technical".

To find all keyboard symbols in PopChar, copy the following line into PopChar’s “Find Characters” field.

⇧⌃⌘⌥⌧⌫↩⇥←↑→↓⎋⏏⇪⌅↖↘⇞⇟⌦

Here are a few typical keyboard symbols with their Unicode names:

shift: UPWARDS WHITE ARROW
command: PLACE OF INTEREST SIGN
option / alt: OPTION KEY
ctrl: UP ARROWHEAD
caps lock: UPWARDS WHITE ARROW FROM BAR
clear (keypad): X IN A RECTANGLE BOX
backspace: ERASE TO THE LEFT
delete right: ERASE TO THE RIGHT
tab: RIGHTWARDS ARROW TO BAR
return: LEFTWARDS ARROW WITH HOOK
enter: PROJECTIVE
cursor left: LEFTWARDS ARROW
cursor right: RIGHTWARDS ARROW
cursor up: UPWARDS ARROW
cursor down: DOWNWARDS ARROW
page up: UPWARDS ARROW WITH DOUBLE STROKE
page down: DOWNWARDS ARROW WITH DOUBLE STROKE
home: NORTH WEST ARROW
end: SOUTH EAST ARROW
esc: BROKEN CIRCLE WITH NORTHWEST ARROW
eject: EJECT SYMBOL