Excel, Microsoft's powerful spreadsheet software, is an essential tool for many businesses and individuals due to its robust data manipulation, calculation, and charting capabilities. One often overlooked feature is the ability to insert special characters like the degree symbol (°), which is useful in various fields including science, engineering, and weather reporting. Here, we'll explore three simple and effective methods to type the degree symbol into your Excel spreadsheets.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
If you’re looking for a quick and straightforward way to insert the degree symbol, keyboard shortcuts are your best bet. Here’s how:
- For Windows: Hold down the Alt key, then type 0, 1, 7, 6 using the numeric keypad. Release the Alt key to see the degree symbol appear.
- For Mac: Press Option + Shift + 8 simultaneously.
This method is incredibly handy because it’s accessible from anywhere within Excel, without needing to switch to other tools or menus.
Method 2: Using the Symbol Dialog
The Symbol dialog in Excel offers a visual approach to inserting the degree symbol:
- Navigate to the cell where you want to insert the degree symbol.
- Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
- Click on Symbol in the Symbols group. If you’re using a version of Excel that doesn’t show the Symbol option directly, choose More Symbols.
- In the dialog box that opens, set the Font to Arial (or any other font that supports the degree symbol).
- Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset dropdown list.
- Scroll down until you find the degree symbol (°), click on it, then click Insert.
This method is useful when you want to see a visual representation of the symbol before inserting it, ensuring you select the correct one.
💡 Note: If you're inserting the symbol frequently, you can also use AutoCorrect to type a specific sequence of characters to automatically insert the degree symbol.
Method 3: Copying and Pasting
Perhaps the simplest way, especially if you only need the degree symbol sporadically, is to copy and paste:
- Find the degree symbol (°) from another source, like a website or document, or here it is: (°).
- Right-click where you want the symbol in Excel and select Paste.
This method requires no memorization of shortcuts or navigating through menus, making it highly accessible for quick use.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Shortcuts | - Fast access - No menu navigation needed |
- Requires numeric keypad on Windows - Requires learning shortcut |
| Symbol Dialog | - Visual selection - Useful for multiple symbols |
- Time-consuming if done frequently |
| Copying and Pasting | - Easy for occasional use - No need to remember shortcuts |
- May not be ideal for frequent use - Requires an existing symbol source |
Excel's versatility allows for the insertion of the degree symbol through multiple avenues, catering to different user preferences and needs. Whether you're a scientist entering experimental data, an engineer calculating thermal expansions, or simply someone who needs to format weather data, these methods provide the flexibility to enhance your spreadsheet's precision and readability.
Can I use these methods to insert other special characters?
+
Yes, the same techniques can be used to insert various symbols. The Symbol dialog, in particular, offers a wide range of characters from different subsets.
What if my keyboard doesn’t have a numeric keypad?
+
If you don’t have a numeric keypad, you can enable the “Numlock” key, or use the second method with the Symbol dialog, or simply copy and paste the symbol.
Is there a way to automate the insertion of the degree symbol in Excel?
+
Excel’s AutoCorrect feature can be set up to replace a specific text with the degree symbol. For example, typing “deg” can automatically convert to °.
