How do I do the degree symbol in Word?
If you’re working on a document in Microsoft Word and need to insert a degree symbol, you might be wondering how to do it. The degree symbol is commonly used in scientific and mathematical documents to denote degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit, as well as in other contexts where it’s necessary to indicate a specific unit of measurement. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of adding the degree symbol to your Word document.
Using the Keyboard Shortcut
The quickest way to insert the degree symbol in Word is by using the keyboard shortcut. Follow these steps:
1. Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear in your document.
2. Press and hold down the “Alt” key on your keyboard.
3. While holding the “Alt” key, type “0176” on the numeric keypad. Make sure that the Num Lock key is turned on.
4. Release both the “Alt” and numeric keypad keys, and the degree symbol should appear at the cursor’s location.
Using the Symbol Dialog Box
If you prefer a more visual approach, you can use the Symbol dialog box to insert the degree symbol. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to the “Insert” tab in the Word ribbon.
2. Click on the “Symbol” button, which is represented by a “Σ” symbol.
3. In the Symbol dialog box, select “Degree” from the “Subset” dropdown menu.
4. Click on the degree symbol and then click “Insert” to place it in your document.
Using the Equation Editor
For more advanced documents, you might want to use the Equation Editor to insert the degree symbol. This method is particularly useful if you need to include the degree symbol as part of a mathematical equation. Here’s how to do it:
1. Go to the “Insert” tab in the Word ribbon.
2. Click on the “Equation” button, which is represented by a “∑” symbol.
3. In the Equation Editor, type the word “degree” followed by the symbol you want to use (e.g., “°C” for degrees Celsius).
4. Click “Insert” to place the equation in your document.
Using a Custom Dictionary
If you frequently need to insert the degree symbol, you can add it to your custom dictionary for quick access. This way, you can simply type the word “degree” and then press “Ctrl+Space” to insert the symbol.
1. Open the Word Options dialog box by clicking on “File” and then “Options.”
2. Go to the “Proofing” tab and click on “Customize Dictionary.”
3. Click on “Add” and type “degree” in the text box.
4. Click “OK” to add the word to your custom dictionary.
By following these methods, you should now be able to easily insert the degree symbol in your Word documents. Whether you’re working on a scientific paper, a mathematical equation, or any other type of document that requires the degree symbol, these steps will help you do it efficiently.
