Method 1: the hidden Fn pad
Most laptops print small digits on 7 8 9 U I O J K L M. Hold Fn, then Alt, type the code on those letter-keys, release both. Example: Fn+Alt, J-K-L-L on the embedded pad = Alt+0169 = .
If letters come out as numbers afterwards, you left NumLock on — press Fn + NumLock (often Fn+F11) to switch back. Full diagnosis in keyboard typing symbols instead of letters.
Method 2: On-Screen Keyboard
Press Win + Ctrl + O, click Options → check “Turn on numeric key pad”. A clickable pad appears — hold physical Alt and click the digits. Slow, but it works for any code including five-digit ones like Alt+0153 →.
Method 3: Word's Alt+X (no pad needed)
In Word, Outlook and WordPad: type the Unicode hex (00E9), press Alt + X — é appears, no number pad involved. Every character page lists its Word code. See special characters in Word.
Method 0: skip codes entirely
Honestly? For a laptop user needing one mid-document, copy-paste beats all three methods. That is what this site's specimen blocks are for — the picker keeps your last 12 copies.