Type the @ and # symbols on your Mac

Why it happens

Keyboards differ from country to country, so symbols move around. On U.S. and Indian Mac keyboards, # sits above the 3 key. On a British Mac keyboard, Shift-3 types £ instead, so # moves to Option-3, while @ stays on Shift-2.

How to fix it

1. For @, hold Shift and press 2.

2. For #, hold Shift and press 3 on a U.S. or Indian keyboard. On a British keyboard, hold Option (it may be labelled alt) and press 3.

3. Check what appears. If you get a different symbol, your Mac's keyboard layout probably doesn't match the keys you have.

4. To fix the layout, open System Settings > Keyboard, click Edit… next to Input Sources, and keep only the layout that matches your keyboard, such as U.S. or British.

   Keyboard›Text Input›Edit…

5. Then click the input menu in the menu bar, which shows a flag or letters, and choose that layout.

6. Got a UK keyboard with # printed on its own key next to Return? Choose the British – PC layout. With it, @ is Shift and the ' key, and # is the key next to Return.

Still not fixed?

1. Can't find a symbol at all? Press Control-Command-Space to open Emoji & Symbols, search for the symbol's name, such as number sign, and double-click it.

2. To see where every symbol is, turn on Accessibility Keyboard. An on-screen keyboard appears; hold Shift or Option and its keys change to show what they type.

   Accessibility›Keyboard›Accessibility Keyboard

3. Using a keyboard made for another country? Its printed symbols may not match any Mac layout exactly. Pick the closest layout and use the on-screen keyboard to find the rest.

4. If Shift or a number key types nothing at all, try another keyboard. If the built-in keys are at fault, contact Apple Support or a repair shop, as the keyboard may need repair.