> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/microsoft/powertoys/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick Accent

> Quickly insert accented characters and special symbols while typing

## Overview

Quick Accent (also known as PowerAccent) allows you to easily insert accented characters, diacritics, and special symbols by pressing and holding letter keys. A selection toolbar appears showing available accent variations for the pressed key.

<Note>
  Quick Accent is essential for typing in multiple languages, especially those that use diacritical marks like Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and many others.
</Note>

## How to Activate

Quick Accent activates automatically when you press and hold a letter key that has accent variations:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Press and Hold Letter">
    Press and hold a letter key (e.g., <kbd>A</kbd>, <kbd>E</kbd>, <kbd>O</kbd>) for the configured duration
  </Step>

  <Step title="View Options">
    A toolbar appears above the cursor showing available accented variants
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Character">
    Press <kbd>Space</kbd>, <kbd>←</kbd>, or <kbd>→</kbd> to cycle through options, or click with mouse
  </Step>

  <Step title="Insert">
    Release the Space key or press Enter to insert the selected character
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Configuration Options

### Language Selection

<ParamField path="SelectedLang" type="enum" default="ALL">
  Choose which language's accent characters to display:

  * **ALL:** Show accents from all supported languages
  * **Catalan**
  * **Croatian**
  * **Czech**
  * **Dutch**
  * **Estonian**
  * **French**
  * **Gàidhlig** (Scottish Gaelic)
  * **Galician**
  * **German**
  * **Hebrew**
  * **Hungarian**
  * **Icelandic**
  * **Italian**
  * **Kurdish**
  * **Lithuanian**
  * **Macedonian**
  * **Māori**
  * **Norwegian**
  * **Polish**
  * **Portuguese**
  * **Romanian**
  * **Serbian (Cyrillic)**
  * **Serbian (Latin)**
  * **Slovak**
  * **Spanish**
  * **Swedish**
  * **Turkish**
  * **Welsh**

  And many more...
</ParamField>

### Toolbar Behavior

<ParamField path="InputTime" type="number" default="300">
  Time in milliseconds to hold a key before the accent toolbar appears (default: 300ms)
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="Position" type="enum" default="Top">
  Position of the accent selection toolbar relative to the cursor:

  * **Top:** Above the cursor
  * **Bottom:** Below the cursor
  * **Left:** To the left of the cursor
  * **Right:** To the right of the cursor
  * **Center:** Centered on screen
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="StartSelectionFromTheLeft" type="boolean" default="false">
  When true, the first character in the toolbar is pre-selected. When false, selection starts from the middle.
</ParamField>

### Advanced Options

<ParamField path="ShowUnicodeDescription" type="boolean" default="false">
  Display Unicode character information (code point and name) below each accent option in the toolbar
</ParamField>

<ParamField path="SortByUsageFrequency" type="boolean" default="false">
  Automatically reorder accent options based on how frequently you use them. Most-used characters appear first.
</ParamField>

## Available Characters

Quick Accent supports a wide range of accented characters. Here are some examples:

### Common Vowels

| Key | Available Accents                         |
| --- | ----------------------------------------- |
| A   | á, à, ä, â, ã, å, ā, ă, ą, ǎ, æ, and more |
| E   | é, è, ê, ë, ē, ė, ę, ě, and more          |
| I   | í, ì, î, ï, ī, į, ı, and more             |
| O   | ó, ò, ô, ö, õ, ō, ő, ø, œ, and more       |
| U   | ú, ù, û, ü, ū, ű, ų, ů, and more          |
| Y   | ý, ÿ, ŷ, and more                         |

### Common Consonants

| Key | Available Accents    |
| --- | -------------------- |
| C   | ć, č, ç, ĉ, and more |
| N   | ñ, ń, ň, and more    |
| S   | ś, š, ş, ș, and more |
| Z   | ź, ż, ž, and more    |

### Special Characters

| Key | Available Symbols                                                        |
| --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| O   | °, ø, œ, ō (also includes dashes when ShowUnicodeDescription is enabled) |
| -   | Various dash types (em dash, en dash, etc.)                              |

<Note>
  The exact characters available depend on your selected language setting. Choose "ALL" to see the complete set.
</Note>

## Use Cases

### Multilingual Typing

Type in multiple languages without switching keyboard layouts.

```
Scenario: Writing an email in Spanish
Action: Hold 'n' key to access ñ for "mañana"
Result: Quickly insert ñ without changing keyboard layout
```

### Academic Writing

Insert proper diacritical marks in citations, foreign terms, and names.

<Tip>
  Enable "Sort by usage frequency" to automatically prioritize the accents you use most often.
</Tip>

### Language Learning

Practice typing in foreign languages with correct accent marks:

* Learn proper spelling and pronunciation
* Type vocabulary exercises accurately
* Communicate with native speakers correctly

### Professional Communication

Ensure names and places are spelled correctly:

* Client names with special characters
* International locations
* Cultural sensitivity in correspondence

## Navigation Methods

### Keyboard Navigation

| Action                           | Keys                                                |
| -------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| Show toolbar                     | Hold letter key                                     |
| Select next character (right)    | <kbd>Space</kbd> or <kbd>→</kbd>                    |
| Select previous character (left) | <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>Space</kbd> or <kbd>←</kbd> |
| Insert selected character        | Release <kbd>Space</kbd> or <kbd>Enter</kbd>        |
| Insert space (cancel)            | Release held letter key without selecting           |
| Cancel                           | <kbd>Esc</kbd>                                      |

### Mouse Navigation

* Click any character in the toolbar to insert it immediately
* Hover to preview character names (when ShowUnicodeDescription is enabled)

## Performance Tips

### Reduce Input Delay

If the toolbar appears too slowly:

* Lower the `InputTime` setting to 200ms or 250ms
* Note: Very low values (less than 150ms) may cause accidental activations

### Optimize for Specific Language

Instead of using "ALL" languages:

* Select only the language(s) you actively use
* Reduces visual clutter in the toolbar
* Faster character selection with fewer options

### Enable Usage Frequency Sorting

If you frequently use the same accents:

* Enable `SortByUsageFrequency`
* Your most-used characters will appear first automatically
* Reduces navigation time

## Technical Details

### Character Database

Quick Accent includes comprehensive character mappings in:

* `PowerAccent.Core/Languages.cs` - Over 43,000 lines of character definitions
* Supports 40+ languages and writing systems
* Unicode-based character representation

### Keyboard Hook Architecture

* Low-level keyboard hook captures key presses
* Timer-based activation prevents accidental triggers
* Non-intrusive: doesn't interfere with normal typing
* Works in any application (text editors, browsers, etc.)

### Rendering

* WPF-based toolbar overlay
* DPI-aware for high-resolution displays
* Follows cursor position dynamically
* Hardware-accelerated rendering

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Toolbar doesn't appear when holding key">
    * Check that Quick Accent is enabled in PowerToys Settings
    * Verify the key has accent options in your selected language
    * Try increasing `InputTime` if you're releasing too quickly
    * Ensure no other application is capturing keyboard input
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wrong characters appear in toolbar">
    * Check your selected language setting
    * If using "ALL", consider switching to specific language(s)
    * Verify keyboard layout in Windows settings
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Accents insert in wrong location">
    * Quick Accent inserts at current cursor position
    * Ensure correct application has focus
    * Some applications may not support direct character insertion
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Toolbar position is awkward">
    * Change `Position` setting (Top, Bottom, Left, Right, Center)
    * Top position is usually best for most scenarios
    * Center position works well for touch screen users
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Performance issues or lag">
    * Select specific language instead of "ALL"
    * Reduce number of enabled languages
    * Check for Windows performance issues
    * Restart PowerToys
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Accessibility Features

### Visual Enhancements

* Large, clear character display in toolbar
* High-contrast compatible
* Configurable positioning for visibility

### Unicode Information

Enable `ShowUnicodeDescription` to see:

* Unicode code point for each character
* Official character name
* Helpful for learning and reference

### Motor Accessibility

* Mouse clicking supported (no keyboard required)
* Adjustable hold duration for different motor abilities
* Visual feedback for selected character

## Source Code Reference

The Quick Accent implementation can be found at:

* Module interface: `src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccentModuleInterface/dllmain.cpp`
* Core logic: `src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/PowerAccent.cs`
* Language definitions: `src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.Core/Languages.cs`
* UI implementation: `src/modules/poweraccent/PowerAccent.UI/`
* Module name: Line 39 in dllmain.cpp ("QuickAccent")