Microsoft Word is a powerful word processing software that enables users to create, edit, and format text documents. One of the many features that Word offers is the ability to use special characters and symbols in documents. These special characters and symbols can be used to enhance the appearance of documents, add mathematical formulas and equations, and more. In this article, we will discuss how to use special characters and symbols in Word.

Inserting Special Characters and Symbols in Word

Step 1: Place the cursor where you want to insert the special character or symbol.

Step 2: Click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.

Step 3: Click on “Symbol” in the “Symbols” section of the ribbon.

Step 4: Select the special character or symbol you want to insert from the drop-down menu that appears.

Step 5: Click on the “Insert” button to insert the selected character or symbol into your document.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Insert Special Characters and Symbols

Another way to insert special characters and symbols in Word is to use keyboard shortcuts. Here are some common keyboard shortcuts to use:

1. To insert a copyright symbol, type “Ctrl + Alt + C.”
2. To insert a trademark symbol, type “Ctrl + Alt + T.”
3. To insert a registered trademark symbol, type “Ctrl + Alt + R.”
4. To insert a degree symbol, type “Ctrl + Shift + @” or “Ctrl + @.”
5. To insert a plus-minus symbol, type “Ctrl + Shift + =” or “Ctrl + =.”

Creating Custom Shortcuts for Special Characters and Symbols

If you frequently use a specific special character or symbol in your documents, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut to insert it quickly. Here’s how:

Step 1: Click on the “File” tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.

Step 2: Click on “Options” at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Click on “Customize Ribbon” in the left-hand menu.

Step 4: Click on “Customize” next to “Keyboard Shortcuts” at the bottom of the screen.

Step 5: Select “All Commands” from the “Categories” drop-down menu.

Step 6: Scroll down and select the special character or symbol you want to create a shortcut for.

Step 7: Click on the “Press new shortcut key” box and type the keyboard shortcut you want to use.

Step 8: Click on the “Assign” button to assign the shortcut to the selected special character or symbol.

In conclusion, using special characters and symbols in Word can add variety and interest to your documents. Whether you choose to use the built-in symbols and characters, create custom shortcuts, or use keyboard shortcuts, Word makes it easy to add special characters and symbols to your documents.