How to Make Emojis from a Keyboard on Your Laptop or Computer

Typing emojis on a computer adds emotion and personality to digital conversations. How to make emojis from a keyboard on your laptop or computer means using shortcuts, emoji panels, and virtual keyboards to insert symbols effortlessly. Whether you’re using Windows or Mac, there are built-in tools that let you add emojis in just a few keystrokes, making communication more engaging and expressive.

Text alone can sometimes feel flat, but emojis bring messages to life. A simple smiley 😊 can lighten the mood, while a thumbs-up 👍 shows approval instantly. Learning the quickest ways to insert emojis saves time and ensures your messages feel natural and fun. Whether chatting, emailing, or working on documents, mastering emoji shortcuts boosts efficiency and creativity.

With Windows and Mac offering dedicated emoji panels, keyboard shortcuts, and touch keyboards, inserting emojis has never been easier. From kaomoji (╰(°▽°)╯) to animated emoticons, there are endless ways to enhance digital text. Knowing how to make emojis from a keyboard on your laptop or computer allows you to communicate visually, making every conversation more dynamic and engaging.

How to Use Emojis on Windows

Accessing the Emoji Panel in Windows 10 & 11

Windows makes it easy to insert emojis with a simple keyboard shortcut. The built-in Windows emoji panel allows you to quickly find and use emojis across all applications.

Shortcut for Windows Emoji Panel:

Press Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon) to open the Windows emoji panel.

Steps to Use the Windows Emoji Panel:

1. Place your cursor where you want to insert an emoji.
2. Press Windows key + . or Windows key + ;.
3. Click on the smiley face to browse emojis.
4. Use the search bar to find specific emojis.
5. Click on an emoji to insert it.

Tip: The Windows emoji panel also supports kaomoji and special characters. Click on the tabs to explore more options.

Using the Touch Keyboard in Windows 10 & 11

The Touch Keyboard is another way to access emoji selection in Windows. This is especially useful for devices without a Windows keyboard.

Enable the Touch Keyboard:

1. Right-click on the taskbar.
2. Select Taskbar settings.
3. Scroll down to Taskbar corner icons.
4. Toggle on Touch Keyboard.
5. Click the keyboard icon in the system tray.
6. Select the emoji button (😊) to browse and insert emojis.

Pro Tip: The Windows Touch Keyboard also provides emoji search functionality and emoji shortcut keys for faster access.

Typing Emojis Without a Windows Key

If your keyboard lacks a Windows key, you can still insert emojis:

1. Use Character Map: Press Win + R, type charmap, and search for emojis.
2. Copy-Paste from Online Sources: Websites like Emojipedia let you copy emojis and paste them anywhere.
3. Alt Codes for Emoticons Symbols: Hold Alt and type specific numeric codes (e.g., Alt + 1 for ☺).

Accessing the Mac Emoji Panel

Mac users can access emojis on a Mac keyboard using a simple shortcut.

Shortcut for Mac Emoji Panel:

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Mac emoji panel.

Steps to Use the Mac Emoji Panel:

1. Click where you want to insert an emoji.
2. Press Control + Command + Space.
3. Browse emojis using categories or the search bar.
4. Click on an emoji to insert it.

Enabling the Emoji Keyboard for Faster Access

For even quicker emoji insertion:

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Check Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar.
3. Click the emoji icon in the menu bar for easy access.

Most modern browsers support built-in emoji insertion:

• Twitter: Type : followed by an emoji name (e.g., :smile:).
• Facebook & Messenger: Use the built-in emoji picker or shortcuts.
• Discord: Use : followed by the emoji name or Windows/Mac emoji panels.

Adding Emojis in Emails (Gmail, Outlook, Mail.com)

Many email platforms have emoji selection panels:

• Gmail: Click the emoji icon in the formatting toolbar.
• Outlook: Use Windows + . to insert emojis directly.
• Mail.com Email: Open the emoji panel in the formatting toolbar.

Using Emojis in Microsoft Office & Google Docs

• Microsoft Word & Excel: Press Windows + . to open the emoji panel.
• Google Docs: Click Insert > Special Characters and search for emojis.

Where to Find Emojis on iPhone & iPad

1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
2. Tap Keyboards and add Emoji Keyboard.
3. Tap the globe icon on the keyboard to switch to emojis.

Where to Find Emojis on Android

1. Open Settings > System > Languages & Input.
2. Select Virtual Keyboard > Gboard.
3. Tap the emoji button on the keyboard.

Conclusion

Using emojis on a computer keyboard is simple with the right emoji shortcuts and panels. Whether you’re on Windows, Mac, or mobile, you now have multiple ways to type, insert, and customize emojis in any application. Try out these methods and enhance your digital conversations!