There are several methods of getting the 3 extra Norwegian vowels on your computer.  There is no right or wrong method, but note that each way programs your computer in a different way. Also note that you may need to use different methods in different computer programs.

If for any reason you are not able to get the Norwegian vowels, the appropriate thing to type is as follows:
æ: ae
ø: oe
å: aa

PC users

Directions for Windows 95 & 98:

You can decide which of the 3 following methods is best for you:
1) use Norwegian characters on an English keyboard by using a control or option key (which is best for people who will only be using Norwegian characters in Word documents).  If you do this method and want to type an email or use excel, etc. using the Norwegian vowels, you will need to type in a word document and cut and paste.

For “æ” While holding down the "control/ option" key, press the " ‘ " key.
For "ø" While holding down the " control/ option" key, press the " ; " key.
For "å"  While holding down the " control/ option" key, press the " [ " key.

2) Program your keyboard to be Norwegian (this method makes it very quick to type Norwegian but it also changes your keyboard, so the *()[]\{} buttons are a bit difficult to find because what you type (finding from a picture) is not always what
you see.

The Norwegian vowels will be three keys at the right of the keyboard ";" "'" and "["    (to the right of the p and the l).  Click on Start, select "settings" select "control panel," select "keyboard."  If you don't see the keyboard icon you can usually select "More Options" to see it.  In "Keyboard" there are two folders, "Speed" and "Language."  Make sure "Language" is opened.
Here you can add "Norwegian."  Scroll down to Norwegian (bokmål) mark it, and click on "Add."  Say yes to "Enable
indicator on taskbar."  Now a litte blue icon saying "En" for English will pop up next to the clock on the down right corner of
your desktop. To switch from the English keyboard to the Norwegian you can click on this icon and select "No."  Same for
switching back to English.

                æ = " ‘ "
                ø = " ; "
                å = " [ "

You will also notice that when you some of the punctuation keys on your keyboard do not correspond with what you type. This is the down-side to this method for some users. However, whenever you need a punctuation mark that you can not find, simply click on the Blue No in the corner and change the setting to English which will change back your computer settings.

3) If you do not think you will be using these vowels often, another option is typing a code for the letters using this procedure:

Set the "num lock" key. Press down the "alt" key while you enter the following codes from the number pad on the right.

ø = 0248
Ø = 0216
æ = 0230
Æ = 0198
å = 0229
Å = 0197

Windows XP (Home and Professional):

1. Click on the Start Menu, and select Control Panel.
2. In Control Panels, select Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options.
3. Next, click on Regional and Language Options.
4. In the Regional and Language Options control panel, click on the Languages tab.
5. Under the Text services and input languages heading, click the Details button. The Text Services and Input Languages control panel will pop up.
6. Under the Installed services heading, click the Add Button. For the Input language, select Norwegian (Bokmal), and for the keyboard layout, select Norwegian.
7. Click OK and close all of the control panels.

For people using the Classic Windows layout:

1. Click the Start Menu, go under Settings, and select Control Panel.
2. Select Regional and Language Options.
3. In the Regional and Language Options control panel, click on the Languages tab.
4. Under the Text services and input languages heading, click the Details button. The Text Services and Input Languages control panel will pop up.
5. Under the Installed services heading, click the Add Button. For the Input language, select Norwegian (Bokmal), and for the keyboard layout, select Norwegian.
6. Click OK and close all of the control panels.

You should now be able to switch between the Norwegian and United States keyboard layouts by pressing the left ALT key and the left Shift key. For a picture of how the Norwegian keyboard layout corresponds to a US keyboard, click here.

MAC users

System 9 (or less):

For MSWord for Macintosh:
æ:  option key + apostrophe
Æ:  option key + shift + apostrophe

ø:  option key + o
Ø:  option key + shift + o

å:  option key + a
Å:  option key + shift + a

OSX users can use the above method OR:

1. Click on system preferences
2. Click on international
3. Select the keyboard menu tab
4. Select Norwegian
5. There should be an American flag on your menu bar. If you click on it, you should be able to see a Norwegian flag. If you select the Norwegian flag, your keyboard will use the same keys that a PC uses for Norwegian vowels, which are:

æ = " ‘ "
ø = " ; "
å = " [ "

You should now be able to switch between the Norwegian and United States keyboard layouts by pressing the left OPTION key, the left Shift key, and the space key similtaneously. For a picture of how the Norwegian keyboard layout corresponds to a US keyboard, click here.