[macOS sequoia] keyboard shortcut for standard deviation (sigma) symbol not working

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Created Nov ’24

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I'm doing statistical formulas and need the keyboard shortcut of the symbol used to represent standard deviation (sigma), which should look like (σ).

Everything online suggests using the keyboard shortcut for option + w, but when I use that shortcut I get, ∑ instead. I've tried searching OS settings and there doesn't seem to be a place to change or determine what is the proper keyboard shortcut.

The keyboard shortcut for statistical mean (mu) is working, µ And greater than or equal to, ≥ And less than or equal to, ≤ are also working.

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Answer 1

ssmith_c OP

Nov ’24

this forum is for questions about software development. Your question would be better suited for https://discussions.apple.com/welcome

option-W produces upper-case sigma (Σ). There doesn't seem to be a direct keyboard entry for lower-case sigma (σ).

Type "language" into search field of System Settings, look for "Language input methods", select it, and turn on "Show input menu in menu bar". If you have only one input method, you'll still have access to the Keyboard Viewer and Character Viewer from there.

You could also try enabling the Greek keyboard. On a US keyboard, sigma is on the key labelled 'S'. You can switch between keyboard input languages using the icon in the menu bar, or ctrl-space bar.

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