Character Input

Character Input is a handy Chrome extension designed specifically for Ex Libris Alma's Metadata Editor (MDE), enabling seamless input of symbols and diacritics. Instead of switching between applications or copying from websites, users can enter characters directly using Unicode, Alt-key codes, or HTML entity references. Activation is simple: press the Insert key, followed by codes such as aXXX for Alt codes (e.g., a130 for é), XXXX for Unicode (e.g., 00e9 for é), or HTML entities without the & and ; (e.g., eacute). The extension even includes shortcuts like pressing 'c' for the © symbol.

Supporting thousands of characters and symbols, Character Input enhances productivity by simplifying the input process and reducing errors. It accepts lowercase and certain uppercase characters in codes and offers alternative names for accents, broadening usability. This tool is essential for librarians and metadata professionals working within Alma who require efficient, accurate symbol entry directly into their metadata fields.