How to remap [`] key with [ʻ] sign?

[Blurrybob]

Hi everyone. Due to my language's requirement I always have to use this sign [ʻ] (like reverse apostrophe, character code in Microsoft word: 02BB. So can I make so that whenever I press [`] button (just under Esc button on QWERTY keyboards), the [ʻ] sign shows up?

[NLamki]

1 minute ago, Blurrybob said:

Hi everyone. Due to my language's requirement I always have to use this sign [ʻ] (like reverse apostrophe, character code in Microsoft word: 02BB. So can I make so that whenever I press [`] button (just under Esc button on QWERTY keyboards), the [ʻ] sign shows up?

Yes, if you have a midrange - high end keyboard then it will come with a software that can help you do that.

[DJ46]

And if you don't, you can make a super simple AutoHotkey script and run it whenever you need that character / set it to start on boot.

[AbydosOne]

22 minutes ago, Blurrybob said:

I always have to use this sign [ʻ]

Word usually converts single-quotes ['] to matching directional quotes automatically, does it not?

[LogicalDrm]

-> Moved to Programs, Apps and Websites

[Blurrybob]

2 hours ago, DJ46 said:

And if you don't, you can make a super simple AutoHotkey script and run it whenever you need that character / set it to start on boot.

And how to do that? Do I install a software or make registry changes? 

[DJ46]

2 hours ago, Blurrybob said:

And how to do that? Do I install a software or make registry changes? 

It's been a while since I've last made a script using it but I downloaded it and made the one you wanted just to make sure I can tell you how.

 

First, you want to download AutoHotkey from the official website and install it. To make it easier, just select the express installation and when it is done, click on "Exit".

Then you want to right-click on your Desktop, go to "New" and select "AutoHotkey Script" from the menu that pops up.

It will create a new file - give it whatever name you want, but that will become the name of your little program, so make sure you can easily tell what it is (for example ReverseApostrophe or 02BB_typer or whatever you can think of). Press Enter to set the file name.

Right-click on that same file and choose "Edit Script". It will open in a text editor (most likely Notepad).

It will already contain a few lines which you can leave alone. The change you want to achieve only requires 2 short lines:

Spoiler

`::ʻ  ; type the ʻ symbol when the ` key is pressed
return

The first line tells it that you want it to type the ʻ symbol whenever you press the ` key. The part after ; is a comment and it is good practice to use them.

I am honestly not sure whether the return line is necessary, but it works with it and I don't feel like testing it without it, it seems to be a part of every AutoHotkey function.

The whole script on my machine looks like this:

Spoiler

#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
; #Warn  ; Enable warnings to assist with detecting common errors.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

 

`::ʻ  ; type the ʻ symbol when the ` key is pressed
return

Save the changes as you normally would in Notepad (or the editor you prefer) and close the file.

You can now double-click on the file and you can notice an AutoHotkey icon appear in the system tray on the right of the Task panel. You can right-click this icon and click on "Exit" to stop the script, otherwise it will keep running in the background. The resource usage is basically non-existent - I've been running a similar tiny script on my machine for years (to launch a specific utility with just one key) without noticing any slowdown whatsoever.

 

The script will now work on any machine that has AutoHotkey installed on it. Feel free to play with AutoHotkey and create some more helpful little scripts (or expand the one you already have with more features).

If you want to run it on other machines or uninstall AutoHotkey, you will first want to right-click on the file again and choose "Compile Script".

This option will create a .exe file that runs the same script, just without needing AutoHotkey to be installed at all. After this step, you can uninstall AutoHotkey.

You can also copy this .exe into the Startup folder on your machine and never have to worry about launching it again. This is what I chose to do with the script I made for myself. I've tranferred it several times when I've moved onto a different computer and I don't even remember what I wrote into it, just that it works like I want it to (just checked, the file creation date is literally the 17th of September 2017, no wonder I can't remember exactly what it contains ha).

Just don't forget that you use it before you start to wonder why you can't type the ` symbol.

[Blurrybob]

7 hours ago, DJ46 said:

It's been a while since I've last made a script using it but I downloaded it and made the one you wanted just to make sure I can tell you how.

 

First, you want to download AutoHotkey from the official website and install it. To make it easier, just select the express installation and when it is done, click on "Exit".

Then you want to right-click on your Desktop, go to "New" and select "AutoHotkey Script" from the menu that pops up.

It will create a new file - give it whatever name you want, but that will become the name of your little program, so make sure you can easily tell what it is (for example ReverseApostrophe or 02BB_typer or whatever you can think of). Press Enter to set the file name.

Right-click on that same file and choose "Edit Script". It will open in a text editor (most likely Notepad).

It will already contain a few lines which you can leave alone. The change you want to achieve only requires 2 short lines:

  Reveal hidden contents

`::ʻ  ; type the ʻ symbol when the ` key is pressed
return

The first line tells it that you want it to type the ʻ symbol whenever you press the ` key. The part after ; is a comment and it is good practice to use them.

I am honestly not sure whether the return line is necessary, but it works with it and I don't feel like testing it without it, it seems to be a part of every AutoHotkey function.

The whole script on my machine looks like this:

  Reveal hidden contents

#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
; #Warn  ; Enable warnings to assist with detecting common errors.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

 

`::ʻ  ; type the ʻ symbol when the ` key is pressed
return

Save the changes as you normally would in Notepad (or the editor you prefer) and close the file.

You can now double-click on the file and you can notice an AutoHotkey icon appear in the system tray on the right of the Task panel. You can right-click this icon and click on "Exit" to stop the script, otherwise it will keep running in the background. The resource usage is basically non-existent - I've been running a similar tiny script on my machine for years (to launch a specific utility with just one key) without noticing any slowdown whatsoever.

 

The script will now work on any machine that has AutoHotkey installed on it. Feel free to play with AutoHotkey and create some more helpful little scripts (or expand the one you already have with more features).

If you want to run it on other machines or uninstall AutoHotkey, you will first want to right-click on the file again and choose "Compile Script".

This option will create a .exe file that runs the same script, just without needing AutoHotkey to be installed at all. After this step, you can uninstall AutoHotkey.

You can also copy this .exe into the Startup folder on your machine and never have to worry about launching it again. This is what I chose to do with the script I made for myself. I've tranferred it several times when I've moved onto a different computer and I don't even remember what I wrote into it, just that it works like I want it to (just checked, the file creation date is literally the 17th of September 2017, no wonder I can't remember exactly what it contains ha).

Just don't forget that you use it before you start to wonder why you can't type the ` symbol.

Thank you sir or madam! People like you make the world a wonderful place to live in.

[DJ46]

5 hours ago, Blurrybob said:

Thank you sir or madam! People like you make the world a wonderful place to live in.

Thank you, your response honestly means a lot to me.

I hope the possibilities AutoHotkey offers will give you other ideas for simple automation and improve your PC experience