The hash image (also referred to as the pound/quantity signal, and which appears like this: #) was one of many extra not often used particular characters till Twitter and Instagram got here alongside. Now you possibly can barely keep away from the image extensively often called the hashtag and ubiquitous on social media.
However how do you kind a hash or hashtag image on a Mac? Effectively, that is determined by your keyboard structure. For readers utilizing the usual U.S. structure, it’s fairly easy, and we’ll cowl these guys later on this article. However we’ll primarily be specializing in the U.Okay., the place this can be a little trickier.
Find out how to kind a hashtag signal (#) within the U.Okay.
Let’s not fiddle. To kind a hashtag on a Mac keyboard with a U.Okay. structure, press Choice + 3.
On trendy editions of this keyboard structure, you’ll see the # image on the three key, however as an alternative of showing above the three, which might let you know to press the Shift key, it’s tucked away on the fitting. Meaning it is best to use Choice. (The Choice key is usually often called Alt, by the best way.)
![Mac UK keyboard layout](https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mac-UK-keyboard-layout.jpg?quality=50&strip=all)
Apple
On some older keyboards, nonetheless, you’ll discover that the quantity 3 key solely has the pound signal. Don’t be postpone: urgent Choice + 3 will nonetheless work on such keyboards. It’s simply that in these days, the hash signal wasn’t seen as such an vital character. (You may additionally discover that your older Mac keyboard labels the Choice key as Alt.)
![Mac Keyboard UK](https://images.macworld.co.uk/cmsdata/features/3688542/mac-keyboard_thumb.jpg)
Wish to replace your keyboard? Check out our in-depth shopping for information to the greatest Mac keyboards, and also you’ll quickly have entry to properly-labeled Choice and hash keys.
However my Mac keyboard has a hash key… and it doesn’t work!
It varieties a backslash image (or ), proper? And whenever you maintain Shift, it varieties a vertical line (or |)? In that case, our guess can be that you simply’re inadvertently utilizing a PC keyboard.
![Hash key on UK PC keyboard layout](https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hash-key-on-UK-PC-keyboard-layout-1.jpg?quality=50&strip=all)
David Value / Foundry
Some PC keyboards within the U.Okay. have a devoted hash key on the fitting, above Shift, and to the left of Return. If this keyboard was linked to a Home windows machine, hitting this button would generate a # (and a ~ when used with Shift). However since you’ve linked a PC keyboard to a Mac–which is feasible, and can work advantageous loads of the time–the variations in structure confuse macOS.
Sadly, your Mac is misinterpreting the keyboard’s hash image as a backslash. We’d advocate that you simply get a correct Mac keyboard., however within the meantime, you possibly can kind hashtags utilizing your PC keyboard/Mac combo by urgent Alt + 3.
Find out how to kind a hashtag signal (#) within the U.S.
In the event you’re utilizing a Mac with a U.S. keyboard structure, issues are simpler. To kind a hashtag signal, hit Shift + 3.
As a result of U.S. readers have much less want for the pound signal, the hash signal will get increased billing: it’s the secondary possibility for the three key. (On U.Okay. keyboards, as we’ve seen, typing Shift + 3 would offer you £.)
![Mac US keyboard layout](https://b2c-contenthub.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Mac-US-keyboard-layout.jpg?quality=50&strip=all)
Apple
For extra keyboard suggestions, see Find out how to kind Æ, €, #, @, © and different particular characters on a Mac.