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How to Insert Emoji with the Windows Emoji Panel

Here's the built-in way to insert an emoji into any app on Windows.

  1. Place your cursor where you want the emoji

    Click into any text field where you can type, such as a document or a chat window.

  2. Press Windows key + Period (.) or Windows key + Semicolon (;)

    Either shortcut opens the emoji panel right on screen.

  3. Search or browse by category

    Type a word describing the emoji you want into the search box at the top, or click through the category icons below to browse.

  4. Click an emoji to insert it

    Clicking any emoji drops it in immediately at your cursor position.

  5. Why this is worth knowing

    If you've never known how to type an emoji on a computer despite using them easily on your phone, this one shortcut works the same way in virtually any app.

It's not just for emoji

The same panel also has tabs for symbols, special characters, kaomoji-style emoticons, and even GIFs at the top, so switching tabs lets you insert any of those the same way once the panel is open.

Recently used emoji are easy to find again

The panel keeps a recently-used category that automatically collects whatever you have inserted lately, so a favorite emoji becomes even faster to find the next time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I insert symbols or special characters too, not just emoji?

Yes β€” the same panel has tabs along the top for symbols, special characters, kaomoji-style emoticons, and GIFs, so you can switch tabs and insert any of those as well.

Does it keep track of the emoji I use often?

Yes β€” a recently-used category in the panel automatically collects emoji you have inserted recently, making them faster to find next time.