How to Type ä (A with umlaut) on Google Docs

Published August 27, 2026, 2 min read

Need ä on Google Docs for a name, an address or a word in another language? You do not have to copy it from a website every time. The fastest method is Insert → Special characters, and there are a few backups below for when that one is not available.

ä on Google Docs: Insert → Special characters

Ä on Google Docs: Insert → Special characters

Or copy it:

Method 1: Special characters menu

Click Insert → Special characters.
Type "a with umlaut" or the code 00E4 in the search box, or draw the letter in the box.
Click ä to insert it.

Method 2: Use your computer's shortcut

Docs accepts whatever your operating system types. On Windows use Alt+0228; on a Mac use Option+U, then A; on a Chromebook press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 00E4 and press Space.

Method 3: Automatic substitution

Go to Tools → Preferences → Substitutions.
Add a shortcut such as aaa in the left column and paste ä in the right.
Click OK. Typing the shortcut and a space now inserts ä.

How to type the capital Ä

The uppercase form works the same way with Shift added where a letter is typed.

Special characters menu

Click Insert → Special characters.
Type "capital a with umlaut" or the code 00C4 in the search box, or draw the letter in the box.
Click Ä to insert it.

Use your computer's shortcut

Docs accepts whatever your operating system types. On Windows use Alt+0196; on a Mac use Option+U, then Shift+A; on a Chromebook press Ctrl+Shift+U, type 00C4 and press Space.

About the letter ä

ä is Unicode U+00E4, named LATIN SMALL LETTER A WITH DIAERESIS. It is used in German, Slovak, Swedish, Finnish and Estonian. Two dots above a letter. As a German umlaut it changes the vowel sound (ä, ö, ü); as a diaeresis in French, Dutch, Spanish or English (naïve, Noël) it shows that a vowel is pronounced separately. See the ä character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Docs substitutions only work in Docs, not in Sheets or Slides.
If drawing in Special characters gives the wrong match, search by name instead.
Keyboard shortcuts from your computer still work in Docs, so use whichever you know.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ä on Google Docs?

Insert → Special characters.

Can I just copy and paste ä?

Yes. Click the copy button above, then paste with Ctrl+V on Windows and Chromebook, Cmd+V on a Mac, or touch and hold and choose Paste on a phone.

What is the Unicode code for ä?

U+00E4. In HTML it is ä.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Google Docs