How to Use Private Character Editor in Vista and Windows 7

   Information

You can use Private Character Editor (PCE) to create your own special characters, which you can then insert into documents by using Character Map. You can create up to 6,400 unique characters (such as special letters and logos) for use in your font library. PCE contains basic tools for creating and editing characters, along with more advanced options. For more information, see: Windows Help and How-to: Private Character Editor

   Note

• The Private Character Editor EXE file is located at:
  C:\Windows\System32\eudcedit.exe
• The Private Character folder location is at:
  C:\Users\(User Name)\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\EUDC
  NOTE: This is a hidden system file. For how to see it, see: How to Hide or Show Hidden Files and Folders in Vista

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu, then type eudcedit.exe in the search box and press Enter.

2. If prompted by UAC, then click on Continue (Vista) or Yes (Windows 7).

3. Select a code box for the character and click OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: A code is just a location of the character. Think of it like a spreadsheet. If you have already created a character and saved it, you will see it in one of the code boxes.

4. Click on File on the menu bar, and click on Font Links. (See screenshot below)

5. Click on Yes to save. (See screenshot below)

6. To Link with All Fonts -
NOTE: To link a private character to all the fonts installed on your computer.

A) Dot Link with All Fonts and click OK. (See left screenshot below step 7)
NOTE: This will have this character available in the Font selection TT All Fonts (Private Characters in Character Map.

B) Go to step 10.

7. To Link with Selected Fonts -
NOTE: To link a private character to a specific font installed on your computer.

A) Select (dot) Link with Selected Fonts. (See left screenshot below)

B) Under Select Fonts, click on the font you want to link the character to. (See left screenshot below)

C) Click on Save As. (See left screenshot below)

D) Enter a file name for the private character. (See right screenshot below)

E) Click on Save (See right screenshot below) and click on OK (See left screenshot below).

8. How to Use Private Character Editor Tools -

A) Select a tool, from the toolbar to the left, to create your private character. (See screenshot below step 4)
NOTE: To select a tool when the toolbar is hidden, click on the Tools menu, point to Item, and then click the tool you want.

Using the Toolbar:


Using the Drawing Tools:

9. To Save the Private Character -

A) Click on the Edit menu.

B) Click on the option you want to do. (See table below)

Menu Option	Description
Save Character	Click to save in the current code box.
Save Character As	Click to select a code box to save in. (see screenshot below step 4)

10. The private character will now be available to be used with Character Map.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Use Character Map in Vista
• How to Change the Keyboard Settings in Vista