When using a computer with a Windows operating system, you can type the heart symbol (♥) using a specific code to be entered using the numeric keypad and pressing the Alt key at the same time. If your computer does not have a numeric keypad, you can resort to using the "Character Map". On OS X or macOS systems you need to use the "Character Viewer" to be able to locate and copy the heart symbol. This special symbol was introduced with the Unicode 1.1.0 standard way back in 1993, so it should be compatible with virtually any device on the market.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the ASCII Code (Windows Systems)
Step 1. Place the text cursor at the desired location
Most programs allow you to insert special symbols using their ASCII code. Place the text cursor where you want the heart to be inserted, this can be any text field, the browser address bar, a Facebook comment or a Word document.
Step 2. Activate the "Num Lock" key
To be able to enter the ASCII codes using the numeric keypad of the computer, it must first be activated: simply press the appropriate "Num Lock" key.
- If you are using a laptop where the numeric keypad is integrated into the normal keyboard, i.e. the individual numbers are encoded as a secondary function of the existing keys, to use them to dial the ASCII code of your interest, you will need to press the special Fn key. This often happens in the case of netbooks or small laptops.
- Not all laptops are equipped with the numeric keypad, this is the case for example with the ThinkPad line produced by Lenovo. In this case, refer to the method that uses the Windows "Character Map".
Step 3. Press and hold the button
Alt.
This will allow you to type an ASCII code using your computer's numeric keypad.
Step 4. Now press the button
3 keypad without releasing the key Alt.
In this case it is not possible to use the normal 3 key on the keyboard because ASCII codes can only be entered via the numeric keypad, so you will have to press the relevant 3 key located on the far right of the keyboard.
If your computer has the numeric keypad built into the normal keyboard, you must press the L key as, when the "Num Lock" key is active, part of the normal keyboard is converted to the numeric keypad
Step 5. Release the button
Alt.
As soon as you lift your finger from the Alt key, you will see the ♥ symbol appear at the desired point. If you are using a program that uses a font that does not support the "♥" symbol, you will see this "□" font appear.
Method 2 of 3: Use the Character Viewer (OS X and macOS systems)
Step 1. Access the "Apple" menu located in the upper left corner of the screen
There is no hotkey combination for typing the heart symbol within a macOS system, but you can use the "Character Viewer". You can enable this tool directly from the "System Preferences" menu.
The "Apple" menu is accessible from whatever program you are using
Step 2. Choose the "System Preferences" option located in the "Apple" menu
A new window will appear that contains your Mac's configuration settings divided into several categories.
Step 3. Select the "Keyboard" icon
A new window will appear containing the settings of the input devices.
Step 4. Select the check button at the bottom of the "Keyboard" tab
This button is characterized by the words "Show keyboard viewers, emojis and symbols in the menu bar" (this wording may vary according to the version of the operating system in use). This will add a new button to the menu bar at the top of the screen.
Step 5. Press the new button that appeared on the menu bar
You will see a context menu appear that contains some options related to the different active viewers.
Step 6. Select the item "Show emojis and symbols"
A new window will appear showing several different symbols.
Step 7. Choose the "Emoji" category
In this way, all the emojis available will be displayed divided into the various categories of belonging.
Step 8. Choose the "Symbols" item
At the top of the appearing list you will find several heart-shaped symbols.
Step 9. Select the heart you want to use with a double click of the mouse
It will be inserted exactly where the text cursor is now positioned.
Within the "Pictograms" section there is another heart-shaped symbol. It is a symbol created to recall the one used on playing cards
Method 3 of 3: Use the Character Map (Windows Systems)
Step 1. Access the menu or "Start" screen
To do this, you can click the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the desktop or press the ⊞ Win key on the keyboard.
Step 2. Type the keywords "character map" into the menu or "Start" screen
This will perform a search within the computer based on the criteria provided.
You can use the "Character Map" program to type the heart symbol on computers without a numeric keypad for entering ASCII codes
Step 3. Select the "Advanced View" checkbox at the bottom of the window
An additional section of the window will appear containing new options.
Step 4. Choose the "Unicode Subcategory" option from the "Group by: drop-down menu"
A small additional window will appear to the right of the one already present.
Step 5. Choose the option "Symbol and Dingbat" placed in the new window that appeared
In this way the number of characters in the "Character Map" window will be limited to a few symbols including the heart-shaped one.
Step 6. Double click on the heart symbol
This will insert it into the "Characters to copy:" text field.
Step 7. Press the "Copy" button
The character or characters selected in the previous step, in this case the heart symbol, will be copied to the system clipboard.
Step 8. Paste the heart symbol in the desired spot
Place the text cursor where you want the heart to appear, then press the hotkey combination Ctrl + V. The selected heart symbol should appear in the chosen text field.
Advice
- If all the methods described in this article fail, simply copy this ♥ heart symbol, then paste it where you want.
- Many websites, in order to type the heart symbol, allow you to directly use the following HTML code & hearts; (remember to delete the blank).
