CFi Characters 1.2.1

Windows includes a utility named Character Map, but its not installed by default and its not the easiest of tools to get to grips with. In fact, in Windows XP, a large chunk of its usefulness has gone with the removal of those handy ALT+xxxx shortcuts. Finding and using special characters in your documents should be quick and easy.
The Characters application will live in your system tray, and is opened by pressing Ctrl+Shift+#. This is a system-wide hotkey, so it doesnt matter what application youre using at the time. Keeping Ctrl+Shift pressed, cycle through all the a variations by pressing the A key, or the e variations by pressing the E key, and so on. Symbols such as � and � are available via the Z key.
When you see the character you need, either remember its displayed ALT+xxxx hotkey and close Characters by pressing ESC, or press the spacebar to copy the character to the clipboard (which closes Characters automatically).
Main features:
- As easy as it should be: why use a complicated tool for a simple job? Using Characters is childsplay
- Displays ALT hotkeys: just remember the displayed ALT+xxxx hotkey and type it using the numerical keypad (with NumLock on)
- One-step copying: copy the displayed character to the clipboard by pressing the spacebar
- No more searching the Start menu: Characters runs in the tray and pops up as soon as you press Ctrl+Shift+#