Typing Special Characters in Linux Mint the Easy Way

Phase 1

Steps required to define the "Compose Key" as the right "Alt" key (the Alt key to the right of the space bar) on your keyboard.

1) Open the 'Control Center'
2) Within the Control Center select 'Keyboard'
3) Select 'Layouts"
4) Select 'Options'
5) Click on "Position of Compose Key"
6) Select "Right Alt" (which is well down on the list of options)
7) Close out of all of this

Phase 2
Bookmark this "Compose Key" shortcuts weblink: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compose_key#Common_ ... mbinations
(the chart of keystrokes which you are looking for is toward the bottom end of this weblink)

Phase 3
1) Open any text writing program within Linux Mint (such as Gedit or OpenOffice Writer or LibreOffice Writer, etc...
2) Hit the "Compose Key" (the Right-Alt key)
3) Type any combination of the two shortcut keys seen on the "Compose Key" weblink which yield the special symbol of your choosing and there you have it.

Example: To create the degree symbol press your newly created "Compose Key" followed by oo (letter o, letter o) and you get °
Example: To create the Euro symbol press your "Compose Key" followed by =e to get €
Example: To create the registered symbol press your "Compose Key" followed by or (letter o, letter r) to get ®
etc...

Enjoy

(works for Ubunu also)

There are loads more special symbols to be found at this weblink:

http://fsymbols.com/keyboard/linux/compose/