Sometimes you need to type characters that are not on an English-based keyboard.  For example, if you need to type the word "Español" with a tilde accent over the "n" - or other Spanish words, like "¡Sí!" or "¿Como estas?"  You can use special key sequences to add those characters.   The sequence you use depends on the operating system and application you are using.  Below is a reference for adding Spanish characters.  I also included links to good references that explain how to add other characters and symbols, like ô, æ, «, £, ÷, ½, ©, and many more.

Method #1: Windows computer, Microsoft Word

Reference: http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codeword.html

Letters that use the “Tilde” accent, like ñ:

• press and hold the following keys << CTRL >>  +  << SHIFT >>  +  << ~ >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << n >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << N >> keys for uppercase

Letters that use the “Acute” accent, like á:

• press and hold the following keys << CTRL >>  +  << ‘ >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << a >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << A >> keys for uppercase

Letters that use the “Umlaut” accent, like ü:

• press and hold the following keys << CTRL >>  +  << SHIFT >>  +  << : >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << u >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << U >> keys for uppercase

Method #2: Windows computer, any program

Reference: http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codealt.html#accent

Follow these steps:

• press and hold the << ALT >> key
• while holding down the << ALT >> key, use the numeric keypad to type a special code
• let go of the << ALT >> key

Here are the codes:

Letters that use the “Tilde” accent, like ñ:

Ñ  0209

ñ  0241

Letters that use the “Acute” accent, like á:

Á  0193

á  0225

É  0201

é  0233

Í  0205

í  0237

Ó  0211

ó  0243

Ú  0218

ú  0250

Ý  0221

ý  0253

Letters that use the “Umlaut” accent, like ü:

Ü  0220

ü  0252

Method #3: Macintosh computer, any program

Reference: http://tlt.psu.edu/suggestions/international/accents/codemac.html#accent

Letters that use the “Tilde” accent, like ñ:

• press and hold the following keys << OPTION >>  +  << N >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << n >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << N >> keys for uppercase

Letters that use the “Acute” accent, like á:

• press and hold the following keys << OPTION >>  +  << E >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << a >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << A >> keys for uppercase

Letters that use the “Umlaut” accent, like ü:

• press and hold the following keys << OPTION >>  +  << U >>
• let go of those keys
• press the << u >> key for lowercase, or press the << SHIFT >>  +  << U >> keys for uppercase

Conclusion

Yay, now you have the tools to make non-English letters and special characters.  It's a bother to have to look up and enter the secret key-press sequences... but it's a lot better than not being able to use them at all!  For web developers, check out HTML Codes for Spanish.