How to find the Euro sign on your MacBook
Your new MacBook is sitting in front of you. Beautiful thing. But where's that euro sign? You search the entire keyboard. Nothing. You Google, try random key combinations, and get frustrated. Especially if you've just switched from Windows , where the euro sign is clearly visible on your keyboard.
But here's the funny thing: Apple deliberately hid the euro sign behind a key combination that actually makes perfect sense. It's located exactly where the dollar sign is —on the 2 key. You just have to know which buttons to hold down. And once you figure that out, you can type the euro sign just as easily as any other symbol. In fact, you'll find it more convenient than that separate euro button on other keyboards.
Useful links
- MacBook accessories for optimal ease of use
- Refurbished MacBook collection at Leapp
Why is Apple hiding the Euro sign?
Apple deliberately chooses a minimalist keyboard layout. While Windows keyboards are often cluttered with symbols and characters, Apple keeps things clean and uncluttered. This means that many special characters are hidden behind key combinations. The euro sign is a perfect example.
The logic behind it is actually quite clever. Apple places currency symbols on the same key: the 2 key houses both the dollar sign ($) and the euro sign (€). The difference lies in the modifier keys you use. For the dollar sign, you use only Shift; for the euro sign, you add Option/Alt.
The complete key combination explained
To type the euro sign on your MacBook, press Option/Alt + Shift + 2 . Let's go through this step by step:
- Hold down the Option key (also called Alt)
- Hold down the Shift key at the same time
- Press the 2 key
- Release all keys
The beauty of it is that this combination works on every MacBook model, whether you have a brand new one or a refurbished one. The key combination remains consistent across all macOS versions.
Alternative methods for the Euro sign
Besides the standard key combination, there are other ways to enter the Euro sign:
Through the emoji and symbol menu
Press Control + Command + Spacebar to open the emoji and symbols window. Type "euro" in the search field and double-click the euro sign to insert it. This method is useful if you've forgotten the key combination.
Set text replacement
You can create a shortcut through System Preferences:
- Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text
- Click the plus sign to add a new replacement
- For example, type "eeur" in Replace and "€" in With
- Now "eeur" is automatically replaced by € while typing
Common problems and solutions
Sometimes the key combination doesn't work as expected. Here are the most common causes:
Wrong keyboard layout
If your keyboard is set to a different language, the position of the euro sign may differ. Check your keyboard layout using the flag icon in the menu bar or go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources.
External keyboards
Are you using an external keyboard with your MacBook? The key layout may be different. On some keyboards, the euro sign is on the E key (Option + E) instead of the 2 key.
Tips for working efficiently with currency symbols
If you regularly work with different currencies, these tips will be useful:
- Pound Sterling (£): Option + 3
- Japanese yen (¥): Option + Y
- Cent (¢): Option + 4
For those who work with financial documents daily, it's worth memorizing these combinations. It saves a tremendous amount of time compared to constantly opening the symbol menu.
MacBook vs. other Apple devices
On an iPad or iPhone, you type the euro sign differently. Simply hold down the € key on the on-screen keyboard until a menu of currency symbols appears. This difference can be confusing when switching between devices.
On an iMac with an Apple keyboard, the same key combination works as on a MacBook. The consistency within macOS makes it easy to switch between different Mac devices without having to learn new combinations.
Practical applications
The euro sign is of course mainly used in these situations:
- Creating invoices and quotations
- Creating price lists
- Writing financial reports
- Online shopping or selling
- Travel expense calculations
For entrepreneurs and freelancers, it's especially important to be able to type the euro sign quickly. You want to appear professional in your communications, and using currency symbols correctly is part of that.
The switch from Windows to Mac
Coming from a Windows computer? It'll take some getting used to. On Windows keyboards, the euro sign is often physically printed on the E key or the 5 key. You can type it there with Alt Gr + E or Alt Gr + 5.
The Mac approach is different, but not necessarily more difficult. It just requires developing new muscle memory. After a few weeks of use, you'll be able to type the euro sign on your MacBook just as smoothly as you used to on Windows.
Conclusion
Typing the euro sign on a MacBook is simple once you know the key combination: Option/Alt + Shift + 2. This combination works consistently across all Macs and all versions of macOS. For those who regularly work with euro amounts, it's worth mastering this combination. The alternative—having to open the symbol menu every time—is much more time-consuming.
Whether you have a brand-new MacBook or a refurbished Leapp model, the process remains the same. With this knowledge, you can work more efficiently and never have to search for that hidden euro sign again.
Typing the Euro sign on MacBook
So typing the euro sign on your MacBook isn't rocket science: Option/Alt + Shift + 2 and you're done. Sure, Apple deliberately hides it, but the logic behind it—all currency symbols on the same key—is quite handy. It takes some getting used to for those just switching from Windows, but after a week, you'll be comfortable with it.
And if you do forget, the emoji menu or a text replacement will help. Whether you're working on a refurbished MacBook or the latest model, this key combination remains the same. No more searching, just type.
