Fact · Languages and accents
Apple says that on a Mac, pressing and holding a letter key opens a menu of the accent marks you can enter with that letter.
Checked against its source on October 17, 2026
In the source's own words
“When you press and hold a letter key, the accent menu opens and shows the accent marks you can enter with that letter.”
Enter letters with accent marks on Mac (Mac User Guide), Apple, 2026, Press and hold a letter key.
Open the original- What it measures
- Apple describes this for typing in an app on a Mac. It is a keyboard method, and Apple's page does not mention dictation.
- What it does not show
- Apple says the menu does not appear for keys that have no accent marks, and that accent marks are not available in all apps. A dictated word that needs an accent still has to be fixed by hand.