# Option ⌥ key for shortcuts vs special characters

DevFeed: [Option ⌥ key for shortcuts vs special characters](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/option-key-for-shortcuts-vs-special-characters-25305.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://kau.sh/blog/option-keyboard-shortcut-macos/>)

Author: Kaushik Gopal

Published: 2024-02-04T08:00:00Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Kaushik Gopal's Site](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/kaushik-gopal-s-site.md>)

Topics: [macOS](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/macos.md>), [Obsidian](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/obsidian-md.md>)

Tags: [apple](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/apple.md>), [keyboard](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/keyboard.md>), [macos](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/macos.md>), [shortcuts](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/shortcuts.md>)

## AI overview

This tutorial explains how macOS can interpret Option-key shortcuts as special-character input instead of application commands. It compares failed remapping attempts and the Unicode Hex Input keyboard, then recommends creating or installing a custom keyboard layout such as "US Plain" as an Input source to reliably resolve the issue.

## Source excerpt

Ever tried using the option key (⌥) with another character as a keyboard shortcut in a macOS app? For example, in Obsidian I use ⌥ r to replace templates in the active file; or ⌥ a to archive completed tasks for the day. Using the default English > U.S. keyboard (or ABC) types special characters in your app like å or ® vs executing your app shortcuts. It's frustrating. If you're heavy keyboard shortcut or a programmer wanting to use more keyboard shortcuts in your IDE like me, you'll derive more use from ⌥ being used as a keyboard shortcut modifier. Solution 1 ✗ ## I'm not one to shy away from keyboard hacking. So I tried Karabiner to force remap the ⌥ keystroke when typed with another character, sending it directly to the application. That didn't work. I then pulled out my trusty Keyboard Maestro which is the tool I fall back to when all else fails. Nope, macOS seems to hijack these keystrokes at a deeper level.1 Solution 2 ~ ## There's a quicker solution2 - pick a different keyboard. A lot of online posts specifically recommend a "Unicode Hex Input" keyboard. You can start using ⌥ a without å showing up, no sweat and the keyboard shortcuts work. The Unicode Hex Input keyboard is additionally cool cause it allows typing out unicode characters with their full code. Here's an example: hold the ⌥ key and type 03c0 to see what you get.3 Problem solved? Not completely. Open a program like iA writer4 or Arc and try using the keyboard shortcut ⌥ ⇧ -> or ⌥ ⇧ <-. These basic macOS wide shortcuts should select the next/previous word respectively. Those no longer work. Let's see if there's any other options in there? The selection shortcut start working in some apps but not all of them. Sigh. The search continues. Solution 3 ✓ ## After scouring forums, apple support threads, reddit etc. I finally found a solution that works. You'll need to create a custom keyboard and provide it as an Input source to the Mac (as you saw in earlier screenshots). You can use a program like Ukelel