Keyboard Codes: How to Make a Dot

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While pressing the period (".") key on your computer keyboard types a dot aligned to the bottom of a line of text, there's no corresponding key for creating a middle-aligned dot. This type of dot is used as a bullet-point graphic in lists or as a decorative text separator. However, you can type a dot in any program or document on your computer using the unicode character encoding standard, which provides a unique number alternative for every text character.


Step 1

Open the document in which you want to type a dot.

Step 2

Hold down the "Alt" key and then type "250" on your computer's numeric keypad, which is the separate block of number keys off to the side of your keyboard.

Step 3

The dot appears as soon as you release the "Alt" key.


On a laptop, the numeric keypad is typically overlaid in a different color on the regular letter keys. Access these numbers by holding down the "Fn" or "Function" button in addition to holding down the "Alt" button.


You must use the numeric keypad to type this code, not the row of numbers that runs along the top of the letter keys.

Some unicode key combinations may not work correctly as they can be program or operating system sensitive.