How to Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document

This updated guide examines How to Insert Symbols in an MS Word Document and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1

On Windows

1. Open Microsoft Word document. Double-click a Microsoft Word file, or open Microsoft Word and then select the file from the home page. Doing so will open the last-saved version of the file.
2. Place your cursor where you want to insert the symbol and click. This will set that location as the point at which your symbol will be inserted.
3. Click theInserttab. It's in the upper-left side of the blue ribbon that's at the top of the Word window.
4. ClickSymbol. This option is on the far-right side of the Insert toolbar. Doing so prompts a drop-down menu.
5. ClickMore Symbols. It's at the bottom of the drop-down menu. This opens the Symbol pop-up window.
   • If you see the symbol you want in the drop-down menu, click it instead to insert it immediately.
6. Select a symbol to insert. Simply click a symbol to select it. You can scroll through the available symbols by clicking the?or?arrows on the right side of the Symbol window.
   • You can also click the Special Characters tab at the top of the Symbol window to browse additional characters.
7. ClickInsert. This button is at the bottom of the Symbol window. Doing this will insert the selected symbol at the cursor's point.
   • You can repeat this process with as many symbols as you like.
8. ClickClose. It's at the bottom of the Symbol window. Your symbol(s) will remain in the Microsoft Word document.

Method 2

On Mac

1. Open Microsoft Word document. Double-click a Microsoft Word file, or open Microsoft Word and then select the file from the home page. Doing so will open the last-saved version of the file.
2. Place your cursor where you want to insert the symbol and click. This will set that location as the point at which your symbol will be inserted.
3. Click theInserttab. It's in the upper-left side of the blue ribbon that's at the top of the Word window.^{[1]XResearch source}
   • Do not click the Insert menu item that's in the bar at the top of your Mac's screen.
4. ClickAdvanced Symbol. This option is on the far-right side of the Insert toolbar. Doing so opens the Symbol window.^{[2]XResearch source}
5. Select a symbol you wish to insert. Click a symbol on the page to do so.
   • You can also click the Special Characters tab at the top of the Symbol window to browse additional symbols.
6. ClickInsert. It's in the bottom-right corner of the Symbol window. Doing so will place the symbol in your document.
   • You can insert as many symbols as you like in this way.
7. ClickClose. It's at the bottom of the Symbol window. Your symbol(s) should now be in your Microsoft Word document.