I prefer to use an international keyboard most of the time (Discussion and instructions below). Sometimes, however, that is not an option. Below are a few of the ways that you can get accents without changing the keyboard settings and when there aren't shortcuts built into the program. I have also included HTML options for those who choose to code by hand. (Mmmmm...coding.)  

Speakers of languages other than French or Spanish may have better luck with the Language Center at the University of Michigan.

Macintosh Note
For letters with two keys (e.g. Option + 1), do the following:
Hold down the Option key and, while holding down the Option key, type the second letter (1). When you release the keys, you will see ¡.

For letters that have three keys (e.g. Option + e, then e), do the following:
Hold down the Option key and, while holding the Option key down, type the second letter (e), then release those keys and type the letter that you want to appear (e). You will see é

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Windows Note
Hold down the Alt key and, while holding the Alt key down, type in the number on the keypad. The accented letter will appear when you release the Alt key.

Note: As I mentioned in the introduction, accent short cuts are rather old-fashioned.  Choosing Symbol from the Insert menu is a quick fix for most programs.  

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International Keyboards Discussion & Instructions
I use an international keyboard in Windows 3.11, Windows 98 and XP. (Yes, I want it on the record that I still own a PC that runs 3.11. It's a 486DX266 and it's destined for a museum.) This system allows the user to use quotations marks and other keys on the keyboard to create accented letters.  The downside is that you need to use the space bar to make quotations marks. (e.g. ["] + [spacebar] = ["]) If you share your computer with other people it can make things complicated for them.

Warning!
Please consult your parents, spouse, roommate, SO, SysOp - you get the idea - before changing the keyboard layouts. Really. It's a good plan.

Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP
Open the Control Panel. (Start - Settings - Control Panel) Double-click on Keyboard. Click the Language tab. (English - United States). Click the Properties button. Choose United States - International. Click OK. You may need to insert your Windows CD-ROM.

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