Hex to Unicode Input Method

• Type Unicode character hexadecimal code
• Make corrections as need be
• Type Alt+x to convert to character
• Type Alt+x to convert back to hex (useful especially for "missing glyph" character)
• Resolve ambiguities by selection
• Input higher-plane chars using 5 or 6-digit code
• New MS Word standard

A handy hex-to-Unicode entry method works with WordPad 2000/XP, Office 2000/XP edit boxes, RichEdit controls in general, and in Microsoft Word 2002. Basically you type a character's hexadecimal code (in ASCII), making corrections as need be, and then type Alt+x. Presto! The hexadecimal code is replaced by the corresponding Unicode character. The Alt+x can be a toggle (as in Microsoft Word 2002). That is, type it once to convert the hex code to a character and type it again to convert the character back to a hex code. If the hex code is preceded by one or more hexadecimal digits, you need to "select" the code so that the preceding hexadecimal characters aren't included in the code. The code can range up to the value 0x10FFFF, which is the highest character in the 17 planes of Unicode.

The only problem with this approach is that some programs use Alt+x for something else (like quit) or the keyboard doesn't have direct access to ASCII alphabetics.

identify the characters immediately surrounding them as parts of math expressions. The Unicode math alphabets contain the vast majority of alphabetic math characters used in print and automatically characterize themselves and their neighbors as members of mathematical expressions.