Windows 10: My Advanced View options are grayed out in character map so I can't search by unicode...

I use character map mostly to insert unicode ellipses. I'm sure there's a better way with shortcuts, but it's something I really only use for this one purpose. That said, I had some issues with my File Explorer recently and had a tech try to repair it. They fixed that issue, partially by trying to reinstall Windows 11, which partitioned my hard drive, but I fixed that. Now, however, I can't type into the Go to Unicode field under Advanced View in Character Map. The drop-downs in that area are also nonresponsive. I'm sure I could download a comparable app, but I kinda just want to make this one

:)

 

Type a Unicode Character

You can convert numbers from decimal to hex to octal to binary. But those are the numbers used as Unicode code points. They're the "serial numbers" for characters.

But the alt codes are a different. They're not related to the Unicode code points. There is no numerical conversion from Unicode codes to alt codes.

Alt codes predate Unicode by a decade or so. Alt codes are just arbitrary numbers that Microsoft assigned. So you have to look up the key codes. Do a google search to find a complete list.

 

How to type unicode characters in Windows 10?


I haven't the right keyboard available on my laptop, so I can't test this, but the way we used to do it was:

1. Press and hold down the Alt key.
2. Press the + (plus) key on the numeric keypad.
3. Type the hexidecimal unicode value.
4. Release the Alt key.

This comes from:

How to enter Unicode characters in Microsoft Windows

Which leads on to this small utility:

UnicodeInput - a utility to enter Unicode characters on Microsoft Windows

Which I also cannot test.

In Microsoft Word,there must be numerous published macros for handling Unicode - some will be better than others - just go to:

microsoft word unicode macro - Google Search

for loads of links.

 

Character Map

Hi Susan,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

To have better clarity on the issue, answer the below listed questions and get back to us.

1. Did you make any changes to the PC prior to this issue?
2. Does this issue occur on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, or any other browser?
3. Once the text disappears, are you able to undo that by press the 'Ctrl' key and the 'Z' key from your keyboard?

Meanwhile, try the below troubleshooting steps:

Method 1: Check if your Windows is Up-to-date.

Go to Settings > Update and Security >
Windows Updates and install all the Windows Updates if there are any.

Method 2: Use a different browser

Use a different browser to access Gmail and see if you are facing the same issue.

Method 3: Adding the characters manually from Character Map.

Step 1: Click on the
Start Menu and search for Character Map and hit
Enter.

Step 2: Once the
Character Map launches, look for the character that you want to add >
Select that character and click on Copy.

Step 3: Go to the email that
you want to add the character and paste the character by pressing the ‘Windows’ key and the ‘V’ key from your keyboard and see if the characters are disappearing.

​Hope it helps.