You can write emojis without a separate program using the system's own character picker. If it doesn't work, first check the input field: is the cursor blinking in the field where you want to write? Then try the appropriate command.
Windows: start with the period key
Open a note, then hold down the Windows key and press the period. On the panel that appears, select an emoji or type in the search box. Microsoft documents this opening method in its Windows keyboard guide. Source: Microsoft – Windows keyboard tips and tricks
The panel may offer various types of content. If you are looking for a copyable character, observe which category you are in. A separately sent GIF behaves differently than an emoji inserted into a sentence. Clarify the task before choosing: are you writing text, or do you want to send a moving image?
If nothing happens when you use the keyboard shortcut, try it in another simple text editor. The difference between the two attempts can serve as a clue. If it opens in the note, it is worth further investigating the behavior of the original application.
Mac: also accessible from the menu
The Mac Character Viewer can be opened via the Edit → Emoji & Symbols menu item. Apple also recommends the Fn/Globe + E command. You can insert the selected symbol by clicking on it; a double click may be required in expanded view. You can also narrow down the selection by name in the search field. Source: Apple – Using emoji and symbols on Mac
The labeling of the Fn or Globe key depends on the keyboard. If you are unsure, use the menu first. This allows you to separately verify whether the character picker itself is working. This sequence is particularly useful with external keyboards or custom settings.
For the test, open an empty note. If the picker works there, return to the document and click on the desired insertion point. This allows the keyboard shortcut and the document editor's operation to be checked separately.
It opens, but the emoji doesn't get inserted?
| What you see | Next test |
|---|---|
| The panel opens, but the text field remains empty. | Click on the desired input location again, then select a symbol. |
| It works in the note, but not in a web field. | Try the same field in another browser and note the discrepancy. |
| The symbol is inserted, but a square is visible. | Check the display support separately from the input. |
| The pasted figure arrives as a separate image. | Check whether you selected an emoji or a sticker. |
These tests narrow down the problem. A web form may have its own rules, so a successful test in a note alone does not prove that every field accepts the same character. In the bug report, include the application name, the field, and the symbol you tried.
The searched name is not always unambiguous
For example, if there is no result for "thanks", search for a more specific form: smile, heart, or hand. The intention of your own message and the label used by the search engine may differ. You can also try the DG Emojik search of with a suitable expression, then paste the symbol into the target field.
You can save a frequently used symbol in your own note along with the associated sentence, for example: "Thanks for the help! 🙂" If it appears differently later, you can check based on the article about device differences whether only the drawing has changed.
Take the essence with you
Three-question knowledge quiz
Try how you would apply what you read. Mark one answer per question; every correct answer is worth one point. The evaluation provides feedback for these three situations; we do not store or send your answers.
Start with an empty note: first try opening the panel, then inserting the symbol.
Start with an empty note: first try opening the panel, then inserting the symbol.
Find the appropriate troubleshooting step for the incorrect answer.
You chose targeted tests in all three situations; open the panel on your own computer.
Solutions and explanations
- You try the same command in an empty note. Testing in a second application helps isolate the error tied to the application.
- In the Edit → Emoji & Symbols menu item. Using the menu allows testing the function separately from the keyboard shortcut.
- The display support of the application and the font. Even with successful input, the appropriate display may be missing.
Count your correct answers: each is worth one point. A skipped answer is worth zero points.
- 3 points: You chose targeted tests in all three situations; open the panel on your own computer.
- 2 points: Find the appropriate troubleshooting step for the incorrect answer.
- 0–1 points: Start with an empty note: first try opening the panel, then try pasting the symbol.
