Entering Unicode in system text

Andro · January 17, 2023, 5:14am

Having the code, how does one do this? U+E076 for example, my case in hand, for example. Windows 11.

dspreadbury · January 17, 2023, 9:11am

You might find this file helpful:

steinbergmedia/bravura/blob/master/redist/bravura-text.md

# An introduction to using Bravura Text

*Version 1.1, 30 October 2015*

Bravura Text is a [SMuFL-compliant] [1] font containing musical symbols intended for use in text-based applications such as word processors, text editors, desktop publishers, and it can also be used on the web.

Bravura Text is licensed under the [SIL Open Font License] [2], which means it is free to use, redistribute, and modify, but please do respect the conditions set out in the license.

## Glyph repertoire
Bravura Text is a reference implementation for SMuFL, the Standard Music Font Layout, and as such contains all of the symbols defined in the SMuFL specification. [Download the SMuFL specification] [3] for a complete list of the symbols in Bravura Text, including a description and code point.

SMuFL uses the Private Use Area of Unicode's Basic Multilingual Plane (U+E000 through U+FFFF) to encode all of the included symbols. This means that the symbols cannot be typed by using the alphanumeric keys on your computer's keyboard on their own.

## Setting up for Unicode input
Detailed instructions for how to enable Unicode input on all operating systems are beyond the scope of this document. SIL provides [an excellent page] [4] with links to information and tools for Windows, OS X and Linux. In this document some basic instructions are included, but you may need to refer to other resources for help with your operating system and application of choice.

### Windows
There are multiple ways to type Unicode characters on Windows. Here are three methods you can try:

#### Method 1: hexadecimal input followed by `Alt`

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Andro · January 17, 2023, 9:22am

OK. But:

Method 2: Alt + hexadecimal input

If the application you are using does not support the kind of conversion described above, you can enable Unicode input by holding Alt, then typing + on the numeric keypad, then typing the hexadecimal number on the numeric keypad, before finally releasing Alt. For example, to type the G clef (U+E050), hold Alt, type keypad +, then E050, then release Alt. Again, if Bravura Text is not the selected font, you may see an empty rectangle or a rectangle containing ?. Select this character and change the font to Bravura Text, and the G clef appears.

does not work. I am on Windows 11 and I added the correct registry key to allow the numpad alt entry input method (not mentioned in that doc, but required), and when trying to use this in System Text input it messes up by a) not rendering the character and b) showing the Dorico Help Menu. Not quite the expected behaviour.

I’d rather not use Word to have to enter characters and copy and paste.

By the way, in case you wrote that doc Daniel, you can’t enter ‘E’ etc on the numeric keyboard as stated:

then typing the hexadecimal number on the numeric keypad,

[Forum pedant #1 here.]

And by the way. the Unicode input method with Alt and numpad works in other apps such as Sublime Text on my system.

Andro · January 17, 2023, 9:35am

More info, just to hand. this only messes up using alpha chars in the code. Purely numeric Unicode code points work fine.

And I will add that although I do not want to use Word, the Alt-+ input method works fine for the Unicode range starting with E.

dspreadbury · January 17, 2023, 9:47am

If you’re trying to input symbols from SMuFL, the much easier way to do it in any case is to right-click and choose Insert Music Text.

Andro · January 17, 2023, 9:52am

Brilliant. Was unaware of this. Solves the immediate problem, but I’m not going to mark as the solution yet.

Still, do you think the Alt-+ behaviour may be a bug? Have you tried it?

benwiggy · January 17, 2023, 10:13am

I recommend the utility PopChar, which available for both platforms.

You can find and select a given Unicode value; browse available glyphs; and even paste a character to find out what it is.

Andro · January 17, 2023, 10:28am

Actually I have PopChar and it is very good. I just find entering numeric Unicode faster, even though you can search by codepoint in PopChar, and then save to favourites. [You can see my recommendations for PopChar if you search the forum].

So to a certain extent I am just being ornery, but some people may not have PopChar, and besides, I think this is a bug. It’s certainly not expected behaviour, and simply does not function right.

johnkprice · January 17, 2023, 11:01am

I find it curious that the Alt + hexadecimal input method works in popovers like the one used to create lyrics, but not in staff text or system text.

dspreadbury · January 18, 2023, 9:44am

Please don’t bump threads. Don’t forget that we (I) read every post here. If something needs to be taken note of for future development, I take note of it.

Windows accelerator/mnemonics have primacy over other shortcuts, so when you type Alt+H you are triggering the mnemonic for the Help menu. Different controls handle these kinds of keypresses differently. Popovers use one kind of control, while the text editor uses another.

dspreadbury · January 18, 2023, 11:25am

I apologise for mistyping. The mnemonic for the Help menu is indeed Alt+E, not Alt+H as I typed in my previous reply.

Entering Unicode in system text

Method 2: Alt + hexadecimal input

Method 2: `Alt` + hexadecimal input