for all of you who write pounds/sterling there is a really quick way, all you have to do is press the key "alt" with left index finger while pressing "1 5 6" on the NUMERIC keyboard with your right index finger et voila, merci beaucoups

Or in Word 2007

insert/symbol/£

Or Alt+0163.

Any ideas how to do it on a laptop

I can’t imagine that’s recommended.

Start Button/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Character Map.

Seventh row down third from left - click on it, then click "Select" and then Click "Copy".

Now paste into document.

A bit convoluted but it gets you your £ sign.

There are probably keystrokes for it but I'm challenged, so use the Character Map. Click on the Start ball and type in Character Map and it will magically appear. Copy it then paste it on your email/whatever.

Cheers guys I knew about that one (though choose not to use it as it would be quicker and easier to hike through the Andes) just wondered if there were as AY said any smart keys.

same , except if the laptop has a Fn (function) key, use that to turn your Num Lock on.

maybe i'm just being a little dense but theres no num lock key, certainly not on this laptop as it doesn't have a number pad to lock..

I think i'll just type gbp its quicker!!!

Do any of your keys look like those in the picture?

nope

ooooh hang on a cotton picking minute ....................... yes apologies they do, but seriously don't worry it's not like I type the pound sign much nowadays!

Then I think you are SOL.

it didn't work

$