La vertical bar "|" or pleca is a sign used in mathematics. But I won't bother explaining its use in this matter, because you probably know this symbol from its common use when making separations in titles (like the one on this page). It is a sign widely used among bloggers and YouTubers, but also among ordinary mortals when writing a job in Word or PDF.
The problem with the vertical bar is that it's not that easy to find on most keyboards. And to top it off, the steps to put this bar may vary from one computer to another. So, motivated by this problem, we have decided to show in this article how to put the vertical bar on any keyboard; this includes Windows, Mac, Android and also writing with ASCII code.
How to put the vertical bar «|» on the keyboard in Windows
Vertical bar: How to put it on the Windows, Mac and Android keyboard + ASCII Code?
In Windows there are two ways to put the vertical bar. The first is by using key combinations and the second is by using ASIIC codes. Likewise, we can also note that to put this symbol on the keyboard of a laptop a different series of steps must be followed, although the key combination itself is practically the same as on a computer.
Key combination
It is possible to type the vertical bar on the keyboard without digging for a more complicated method like ASCII codes. You just have to know how to execute the correct key combination on your keyboard:
- Look for a key that has the symbol of the vertical bar «|» drawn on it or pleca. Typically, this symbol is on the number one key or the key before it.
- Press the key Alt Gr + the key with the vertical bar «|».
Now, as we told you, the way to place the vertical bar in Windows varies. On some keyboards you can place this symbol without pressing the key Alt Gr, and in others you have to press the key Alt. And the vertical bar symbol can be found on both the one and the other key.
ASCII code
ASCII are codes that are entered by holding down the Alt key while typing on the numeric keypad. These codes work as "commands" to type letters and symbols that are not very accessible on the keyboard. He ASCII code for the vertical bar is 124 and you can put it like this:
- Hold down the Alt key.
- In the number pad to the right, enter the number 124.
- Release the Alt key.
As you see, the usefulness of ASCII codes lies in the fact that they work the same on all keyboards, regardless of the manufacturer, model or configuration. On the other hand, keep in mind that these codes can only be entered through the numeric keypad (it does not work with the upper row of numbers).
on a laptop
Activate the temporary numeric keypad of your laptop to enter ASCII codes
The way to position the vertical bar in Windows is practically the same on desktop PCs as on laptops. The only difference is found when using the ASCII code, since (let's remember) these codes are placed with the numeric keypad and most laptops do not have one; at least not a physical one. If you want to enter the vertical bar ASCII code on a Windows laptop, you need to enable the temporary numeric keypad (see image above). To do this, you must do the following:
- Press one of the keys Fn of the keyboard. Generally, a laptop has two; each one at the bottom, one on the left and one on the right. Hold any of these keys down.
- Press the key bloq NUM. It's usually in the top right near the delete key.
- Release both keys, the bloq NUM and Fn.
- Now hold down the key Alt.
- Write the ASCII code "124" on the numeric keypad comprising the keys M, J, K, L, U, I, O, 7, 8 and 9.
- Release the Alt key.
- Turn off the number pad with the steps we already taught.
How to put the vertical bar on the Mac keyboard
In the case of Mac, the vertical bar is placed using key combinations, although the key combination to use is different depending on the language in which the keyboard is configured.
Spanish keyboard
If the keyboard is in Spanish, you must press the key combination "Alt+1" to enter the vertical bar, in the same way as in Windows.
english keyboard
If the keyboard is in English, then the key combination is "shit + /". This last symbol (the backslash) is usually found under the delete bar on english keyboard.
How to put the vertical bar on the keyboard in Android
On Android, most mobiles use the same Google keyboard: the Gboard. Also, if your mobile uses another keyboard, don't worry, since they all work the same, and they are practically just different layers or designs, but the same keyboard. In the same way, these mobiles have a very intuitive and well-organized keyboard configuration and this makes it easier to put any symbol.
To put the vertical bar on Android you only have to follow 3 steps:
- On the Android keyboard, tap the key «? 123» in the lower left corner.
- Then tap on "=\<" to go to another keyboard with more symbols.
- You will be able to see the vertical bar “|” in the space where the number three is normally. press it
Conclusion
The vertical bar is another one of those symbols that are very useful, but which, however, are not very easily found on a normal keyboard. Although, this does not mean that, as we have already seen, this does not mean that it is impossible to put these symbols: knowing the key combinations correct and using the ASCII code (on Windows), it's very easy to put the vertical bar on any operating system.