How to Type Ñ in Word

To type ñ in Word on Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + ~ (tilde), release the keys, then press n. For a capital Ñ, press Shift + N after the tilde shortcut. On a Mac, press Option + n, then n. If you have a number pad, Alt + 164 also types ñ and Alt + 165 types Ñ. All the options, including ones for laptops without a number pad, are below.

Method 1: Word’s tilde shortcut

1. Click where you want the letter.
2. Press and hold Ctrl and Shift, then press the ~ key (usually left of the 1 key, or next to Enter on some keyboards).
3. Release all three keys.
4. Press n for ñ, or Shift + N for Ñ.

The same shortcut works for ã and õ. It only works in Word and Outlook. For other apps, use one of the methods below.

Method 2: Alt codes (number pad)

Character	Alt code	Alternative
ñ	Alt + 164	Alt + 0241
Ñ	Alt + 165	Alt + 0209

Hold Alt, type the numbers on the number pad (not the row above the letters), then release Alt. Num Lock must be on. Alt codes work in almost every Windows program, not just Word.

Method 3: Unicode code and Alt + X

This works on laptops without a number pad. In Word, type 00F1 and press Alt + X to get ñ. For Ñ, type 00D1 and press Alt + X. If the code follows other letters, add a space before it so Word reads only the code.

Method 4: Insert > Symbol

1. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
2. Set Font to (normal text) and Subset to Latin-1 Supplement.
3. Click ñ or Ñ and then Insert.

After the first time, it appears in the recently used list under Insert > Symbol for one-click access. The Shortcut Key button in the same dialog lets you assign your own key combination, such as Alt + N.

Method 5: AutoCorrect

If you type Spanish words often, make Word insert ñ automatically:

1. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
2. In Replace, type a code you won’t use otherwise, such as n~.
3. In With, type ñ (paste it, or use one of the methods above).
4. Click Add, then OK.

Now typing n~ followed by a space or punctuation turns into ñ.

Method 6: Use a Spanish or US-International keyboard

If you write in Spanish regularly, add a keyboard layout in Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Then switch layouts with Windows key + Spacebar.

• Spanish layout: the Ñ key sits to the right of L.
• US-International: keeps the English layout but adds accents. Type ~ then n for ñ, or press Right Alt + n. Note that ‘, ” and ~ wait for the next key on this layout.

More on Windows-wide methods in how to type ñ on Windows 10.

On a Mac

• Option + n, then n, gives ñ. Use Shift + N after Option + n for Ñ.
• Or press and hold the n key and choose ñ from the menu.

On a phone or touch screen

Press and hold n on the on-screen keyboard and slide to ñ. This works in Word for iPhone, iPad and Android and on the Windows touch keyboard.

Spell check in Spanish

Word may underline Spanish words as misspelled. Select the text, go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language, and choose a Spanish variant such as Spanish (Mexico) or Spanish (Spain).

Troubleshooting

Ctrl + Shift + ~ types a different character

On some non-US keyboards the ~ key is in a different place or needs AltGr. Use Alt + X or Insert > Symbol instead.

Alt + 164 types something else

You’re using the number row instead of the number pad, or Num Lock is off. On a laptop, use the Unicode method.

Related guides

• How to type ñ in Excel
• How to add special characters in Word
• How to type French accents on Windows 10

Summary

• Word: Ctrl + Shift + ~, then n (Shift + N for Ñ).
• Any Windows app: Alt + 164 or Alt + 165 on the number pad.
• Laptop: type 00F1 and press Alt + X.
• Mac: Option + n, then n.