User talk:Σ/TI

The purpose of this page is to teach one how to type a literal sigma character using a keyboard.

Remember, you can always copy and paste a sigma like you would with any other string. I still do not mind being called Sigma.
Σ, Σ, or Σ can be used to display a sigma. These entities can also be used in the search box.

Input methods

Different types of computers can produce the Sigma symbol with different key combinations.

Windows

Alt code

If you are reading this on a Windozer, you may be able to use an alt code to type non-Latin symbols. Using the numberpad, hit Alt+228 and release.

That may have produced a different character. If so, your system has been configured to use code page that is not 437, probably for a different language or region.

You can change the code page by changing the 'format' option (the dropdown box) under the 'Formats' tab at 'Control Panel' -> 'Region and Language'. There are alternatives to changing the code page, though.

Unicode input method platform

It may be worth noting that this is only the configuration I use. Other input methods may support `u.

This works on Windows 7.

Go to 'Control Panel' -> 'Region and Language'.
On the 'Keyboards and Languages' tab, press the 'Change Keyboards' button.
A new window should have appeared. Press the 'Add' button.
You should now see a list of languages with their countries. Under 'Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)' check the box labeled 'Chinese (Traditional) - New Phonetic', and then OK.
Select the field that says 'Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan)', and then press 'Properties'.
Under the 'Advanced' tab, there should be a table mapping property names to your setting. Change the 'Leading key' field to the backtick (`) and then OK.
Now, in the window that was opened in step 2, go to the 'Advanced Key Settings' tab. Change the key sequence for 'Chinese (Traditional) IME - Ime/NonIme Toggle' to Ctrl+Space.
Save the changes. Logout and back in if nothing happened.
Open your favourite text editor, hit Ctrl+Space, and type `u03a3, a space, and then hit ↵ Enter. A sigma should have appeared at the caret position.
You can switch out of this input method by hitting Ctrl+Space again.

Linux

Gnome

There are two common methods for direct input of Unicode characters. These methods will not work with SCIM installed.

Hold Ctrl+⇧ Shift and type u followed by 03a3. Then release Ctrl + Shift.
Enter Ctrl+⇧ Shift+u, then type 03a3, and press ↵ Enter or Space.

SCIM

Installing SCIM will remove the capability described above. There is a package, scim-rawcode, that imitates that feature. You can set Ctrl+⇧ Shift+u to be the shortcut for switching to the rawcode input method. After switching to rawcode, you can type 03a3, and press ↵ Enter or Space.

Compose

Certain Linux machines have Greek compose files preinstalled. If Greek compose files are installed, you can press Compose+G+S one at a time to type out the sigma. If you do not have a Greek compose file, get one here.

Mac

Hold Ctrl+⌘ Cmd+Space and type u+03a3. You can then either select the character with the mouse or press ↓ and hit ↵ Enter.

Typing ⌥ Option+W will produce ∑, which is the Unicode summation symbol. This looks similar to Σ, but is a distinct character.