How to Type Accents on Any Keyboard (Windows, Mac, Phone)
Every device has at least one built-in way to type accented letters. Here is the fastest one for each, with links to full guides.
Windows
Windows gives you four ways to type accents: Alt codes on the number pad, the US-International keyboard layout, the Win+. symbols panel and Character Map. Alt codes are fastest if you have a number pad; the US-International layout is best if you type accents every day.
Mac
macOS has accent shortcuts built in. Option+E, Option+`, Option+I, Option+U and Option+N add an acute, grave, circumflex, umlaut or tilde to the next letter, and holding down a letter key shows a menu of accented versions.
iPhone
On iPhone and iPad, touch and hold a letter on the keyboard to see its accented versions. For letters that are not on that menu, add a keyboard for the language or create a Text Replacement shortcut.
Android
On Android, touch and hold a letter on Gboard or Samsung Keyboard to see its accented versions. Add a language in the keyboard settings for letters that are missing.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word has its own Ctrl shortcuts for common accents, and the Alt+X trick turns any Unicode code into its character.
Full Microsoft Word guide and chart
Google Docs
Google Docs has a Special characters tool where you can search for or draw any letter, and substitutions that turn a short code into an accented letter as you type.
Full Google Docs guide and chart
Chromebook
On a Chromebook, Ctrl+Shift+U followed by a Unicode code types any character. For frequent use, add the US International keyboard.
Full Chromebook guide and chart
HTML
In HTML you can write accented letters directly if the page is UTF-8, or use named and numeric entities when you cannot.
LaTeX
LaTeX has a text command for each accent, and modern engines accept UTF-8 input directly.
Excel
In Excel and Google Sheets, UNICHAR returns any character from its code, and you can type accents in a cell with your usual keyboard method.