Did you know there are multiple ways to insert a symbol in Excel without leaving your keyboard? They’re all faster than the usual “Insert > Symbol” command. Here are 2 easy ways that you can try.
Option 1: Record a macro and assign a shortcut key
The first method is record the keystrokes you would use when you insert a symbol and then apply a shortcut key. This will turn it into a macro and tells Excel to automatically explore the menu choices when prompted.
To record a macro:
- Choose Tools > Macro > Record New Macro from the menu bar or press Alt+F8 to open the Macro dialog box.
- Name your macro in the ‘Macro Name’ text box and designate your shortcut key.
Tip: If you want to use this shortcut in all of your workbooks, choose Personal Macro Workbook from the Store Macro In dropdown list. - Enter a description if you’d like and then click OK to begin recording.
- Insert a symbol as you normally would and then click the Stop Recording button on the Stop Recording toolbar.
- Press the shortcut key and Excel will insert the symbol in the active cell.
Option 2: Learn the Windows shortcut key
In the Windows Operating System, some symbols already have shortcut keys built in so it’s simply a matter of finding them. The only downsides to this method are that only some symbols have shortcuts and it doesn’t apply to Mac users.
To track down a Windows shortcut key:
- Click the Start button and choose Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map.
- Insert a symbol or type a keyword in the Search text box to narrow down your choices.
- Look at the bottom-right corner of the window. For example, the Euro symbol’s shortcut key is Alt+0128.
[…] Inserting a symbol in Excel is simple with these two easy-to-follow tricks. […]
[…] Did you know there are multiple ways to insert a symbol in Excel without leaving your keyboard? They re all faster than the usual Insert > Symbol command. Here are 2 easy ways that you can try. […]