Māori language tools :: University of Waikato

Macrons

Māori keyboard

Most Windows devices allow you to install a Māori keyboard.

These instructions are for Windows 10 - other Windows versions may be slightly different.

Go to Windows Settings → Time & Language → Region & language → search down the list for te reo Māori. (If it is not there you might need to get it from the Microsoft website, but it should be there).

Set te reo Māōri as default or preferred language (otherwise you always have to re-select it from the language icon on your task bar at the bottom of your screen). Now you can enter a macronised vowel by pressing ` (the key with ~ on it) and then the vowel. To enter a macronised capital vowel, press `, then hold down shift and press the vowel.

More information on the UOW ICT self-help page (login required).

Alt codes

Hold down the alt key (left side of keyboard) and at the same time type the number on the number pad (with number lock on). (If your device does not have a number pad, this solution won't work for you).

Macron	Code	Macron	Code
Ā	Alt + 0256	ā	Alt + 0257
Ē	Alt + 0274	ē	Alt + 0275
Ī	Alt + 0298	ī	Alt + 0299
Ō	Alt + 0332	ō	Alt + 0333
Ū	Alt + 0362	ū	Alt + 0363

More help:

Using alt codes

Other useful alt code shortcuts

Macrons in Google Docs

Select Insert.
Select Special characters.
In the Search by keyword text box, type macron.
Select the macron you want.

Apples and Macs

For iPads or iPhones: hold the vowel down when selecting it to get a choice of diacritics (letters with accent marks) for that vowel, then slide your finger along to select.

Mac computers: uses a key combination of the option key with the letter and macron. For example, to get an ā:

Switch your keyboard to US Extended.
Type ⌥a+a (i.e. press and hold the option key, press a while still holding the option key) release the option key and the a key, then type a again.
Or even easier - type accented characters by pressing the key you want to accent and hold it down until the alternative options for that letter appear. Select the one you want (macrons are usually the final option)