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:

  1. Choose Tools > Macro > Record New Macro from the menu bar or press Alt+F8 to open the Macro dialog box.
  2. 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.
  3. Enter a description if you’d like and then click OK to begin recording.
  4. Insert a symbol as you normally would and then click the Stop Recording button on the Stop Recording toolbar.
  5. 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:

  1. Click the Start button and choose Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Character Map.
  2. Insert a symbol or type a keyword in the Search text box to narrow down your choices.
  3. Look at the bottom-right corner of the window. For example, the Euro symbol’s shortcut key is Alt+0128.