How to Insert Symbols in Google Sheets: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Insert Symbols in Google Sheets?

• Mathematical or Scientific Notation: You may need to include symbols like degrees (°), pi (π), or fractions.

• Currency and Financial Data: Inserting currency symbols like $, £, or € helps clearly indicate financial values.

• Checklist and Task Tracking: Symbols such as checkmarks (✔️) or crosses (✘) can be used to track task completion or statuses.

• Enhanced Visuals: Symbols like arrows (→), stars (★), or emojis can improve readability and give context to data.

Method 1: Using the Google Docs Special Characters Tool

Steps to Insert Symbols from Google Docs:

1. Open Google Docs:
• Start by opening a blank Google Docs document.

2. Insert a Special Character:
• Go to Insert > Special characters in the menu bar. A window will appear that lets you search for and select symbols.

3. Choose the Symbol:
• You can either browse through categories like "Currency," "Punctuation," or "Arrows," or you can search for the symbol you need in the search bar. You can also draw the symbol using the drawing tool in this window.

4. Copy the Symbol:
• After selecting the symbol, it will appear in your Google Docs document. Highlight and copy the symbol (use Ctrl + C or right-click and select Copy).

5. Paste the Symbol in Google Sheets:
• Go back to your Google Sheets, select the cell where you want to insert the symbol, and paste it (Ctrl + V or right-click and select Paste). The symbol will appear in the selected cell.

Example:

Method 2: Using Unicode Symbols

Steps to Use Unicode Characters:

1. Find the Unicode for the Symbol:
• You can search for the Unicode of the symbol you need on websites like Unicode Character Table or simply by Googling the symbol followed by the word "Unicode."

2. Enter the Unicode in Google Sheets:
• Once you know the Unicode for the symbol, enter it directly in the cell using the following formula:
• Replace UNICHAR_CODE with the numeric value of the symbol. For example, the checkmark has a Unicode value of 10004, so you would enter the following formula in a cell:

3. Press Enter:
• After pressing Enter, the symbol will appear in the cell.

Example:

Method 3: Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Common Symbols

Common Keyboard Shortcuts for Symbols:

• Degree symbol (°): Alt + 0176 (Windows) or Option + Shift + 8 (Mac)

• Euro (€): Alt + 0128 (Windows) or Option + Shift + 2 (Mac)

• Pound (£): Alt + 0163 (Windows) or Option + 3 (Mac)

• Bullet point (•): Alt + 0149 (Windows) or Option + 8 (Mac)

Steps to Use Keyboard Shortcuts:

1. Select the Cell:
• Click on the cell where you want to insert the symbol.

2. Use the Keyboard Shortcut:
• Hold down the Alt or Option key and type in the respective numeric code for the symbol.

3. Check the Results:
• Once you’ve typed the code, the symbol will appear in the selected cell.

Example:

Method 4: Using Emojis as Symbols

Steps to Insert Emojis:

1. Open the Emoji Keyboard (Mac):
• On a Mac, press Command + Control + Space to open the emoji picker.

2. Open the Emoji Keyboard (Windows):
• On Windows, press Windows + . (Windows key and period) to open the emoji keyboard.

3. Select the Emoji:
• Browse through the emoji categories or search for the symbol you want. For example, you can use checkmarks, arrows, or smiley faces.

4. Insert the Emoji into Google Sheets:
• After selecting the emoji, it will be inserted into the active cell. You can also copy-paste emojis from websites or other applications into Google Sheets.

Example:

Method 5: Using the Insert Menu for Currency Symbols

Steps to Insert Currency Symbols:

1. Highlight the Cells with Numeric Data:
• Select the cells that contain the numbers you want to format with a currency symbol.

2. Use the Format Menu:
• Click Format > Number > Currency. This will automatically apply your local currency symbol (e.g., $ for USD, £ for GBP, € for EUR) to the selected cells.

3. Customizing the Currency:
• If you need a different currency symbol, go to Format > Number > More formats > More currencies. A window will open where you can choose from a wide variety of international currencies.

Example:

Method 6: Using Google Sheets Add-Ons

Steps to Use Google Sheets Add-Ons:

1. Open Google Workspace Marketplace:
• In Google Sheets, click Extensions > Add-ons > Get add-ons to open the Google Workspace Marketplace.

2. Search for a Symbol Add-On:
• Search for an add-on like “Special Characters” or “MathType” that helps you insert symbols.

3. Install the Add-On:
• Once you find the add-on that suits your needs, click Install and follow the prompts to integrate it into your Google Sheets.

4. Use the Add-On to Insert Symbols:
• After installation, you can access the add-on through the Extensions menu, and it will guide you through the process of inserting symbols.

Example:

Conclusion

• Google Docs Special Characters: For a broad selection of symbols.

• Unicode and CHAR Function: For inserting specific characters using Unicode values.

• Keyboard Shortcuts: For commonly used symbols.

• Emojis: To add some visual flair to your data.

• Currency Formatting: For financial data.

• Add-Ons: For specialized needs like math symbols or frequent use of special characters.