How do I make backslash (\) work in IDLE?

Question

I use a Mac and I use Shift + Alt + / when I want to type a \. I'm trying to learn Python and as you can see \ works fine, but not in IDLE.

How do I make backslash (\) work in IDLE?

Solution

Since this problem still persists on OSX 10.8 with python 2.7.5 and 3.3.2 and since this is the first google hit when searching for backslash idle here is a more practical solution instead of copy and pasting: Go to:

idle->preferences->keys

Under Action-Keys replace:

expand-word <Option-Key-Slash>

with something you like for instance:

expand-word <Control-Option-Key-Slash>

This should fix it.

Comments

[user1066101]

"but not in IDLE"? What does that mean? How does \\ fail to work in IDLE? What happens that's incorrect?

[s.m.]

@Kris, maybe it's just me, but I cannot figure out what you want to do with the backslash. Print it out? Or use it as a line break in source code?

[David Yaw]

I think he's saying that his keyboard doesn't have a backslash key, and the usual keyboard shortcut, Shift-Alt-/, doesn't type a backslash in IDLE.

[Karl Knechtel]

It's been a while since I used a Mac, but the ones I used all had a backslash key, in the same standard spot that PCs do. If you're missing such a key, it probably has more to do with what country you're from.

[Kris]

@sm I should have mentioned it. I use it with \n and \t

[Kris]

@S.Lott Thank you! That works. Why didn't I think of that?!

[user1066101]

@Kris: "That works"? What works? What problem do you have? What happens that's incorrect? I still don't understand the question.

[Kris]

@S.Lott , I needed a way to type \ in IDLE. It works on my Mac (when I use shift + alt + / ) but not when I try to do it in IDLE. The solution is to type it somewhere else and then copy and paste it in IDLE.

[Kris]

copy and paste, that's it! Thank you.

[user3188922]

Thanks! Run into this problem today and your answer fixed it perfectly and super easy