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Do you need to use a Euro symbol in an economics paper? How about a Celsius degree in a lab report? Or, maybe you need to insert special characters into your math homework. I recently discovered the Math AutoCorrect feature in Word and realized that I could use it for more than just math stuff. Math AutoCorrect lets me insert symbols and special characters into my documents using keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are sets of one or more keys that you type to complete an action rather than clicking with your mouse. Shortcuts are especially useful if you're using the same symbols or special characters over and over again. It's just faster!
This short video shows you how to insert symbols and special characters into a Word 2010 or Word 2007 document. Or, if you prefer to scan through instructions, look below for the step-by-step procedures and links to keyboard shortcuts.
To use the Math AutoCorrect keyboard shortcuts, you'll need to enable Math AutoCorrect. To do this:
1. On the Word ribbon, click the File tab. 2. Click Options. 3. In the left pane, click Proofing. 4. Under AutoCorrect options, click the AutoCorrect Options button.
5. Click the Math AutoCorrect tab.
6. Click to select the Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of math regions checkbox.
The Math AutoCorrect tab is where you'll find an alphabetized list of keyboard shortcuts. To find a keyboard shortcut, scan the With column for the symbol you want to use and then look under the Replace column for the set of keys you need to enter as your keyboard shortcut. When you type the shortcut into your document, Math AutoCorrect will automatically replace that text with the associated symbol. In the video above, I use the keyboard shortcut "\infty" to insert an infinity symbol into my document. For a complete list, see Math AutoCorrect keyboard shortcuts.
If you liked this, check out field codes--which is featured on the Microsoft Word blog.
-- Jennifer Bost
Comments: (25) Collapse
where is the symbol for a musical note?
Where are symbols like musical notes, happy faces, stars, arrows, etc.
@Julie & Mary: On the Word ribbon, click the Insert tab. Click Symbols, and then click More Symbols. In the Font drop-down box, select MS Gothic. In the Subset drop-down box, select Miscellaneous Symols. Scroll down a bit, and that's where you'll find musical notes, smiley faces, and such.
I do all that to get Symbols, and Symbols drop-down box won't let me select the characters I want. I can move up and down with the scroll bar, but I can't select and click...the selection stays active on whatever character I scroll to. This is maddening. Please help.
@Patricia: Are you trying to click on a character in the Math AutoCorrect dialog to insert it into your document? If so, that's not how this particular feature works. Rather than clicking on the symbol, you need to type the replace code into your document. The replace codes are keyboard shortcuts that you can use instead of clicking through a series of menu buttons. For example, let's say you want to insert a lowercase alpha symbol into your document. If you look at the screenshot above step #6 (in this blog post), find the alpha symbol. To the left of that symbol is the replace code "\alpha". You need to type "\alpha" (I'm using the quotes for emphasis, don't type those) into your Word document, and when you press the space bar, after typing "\alpha", the symbol should appear.
Let me know if these steps aren't working for you.
where is Word ribbon , where I can find that? could you please help me?
@ Leticia: I'll try to help. What version of Word are you using? And are you trying to find the Math AutoCorrect options or are you trying to insert a symbol from the Word ribbon?
I got it ,,,thanks
@Leticia: Excellent. Out of curiosity, what was the issue? Do I need to update the instructions in any way? Thanks so much for your comments.
Jennifer, I am using Word (Home/Student) 2010 and am having a problem entering individual symbols using the Insert Ribbon, More Symbols function.
When I wish to insert any symbol, the More Symbols menu appears as expected, but I am unable to select (highlight) any symbol with left-click, nor will the Insert button do anything with left-click even though it is illuminated indicating that it is enabled. However, if a previously hand-entered number sequence such as 3/4 is highlighted, then I select Insert Ribbon, More Symbols, the More Symbols menu again appears, but this time the Select, Insert, etc. functions work correctly with left-clicks.
Is there something that I can do to correct this problem? I have both re-installed and Repaired Office, but this problem does not change.
Thank you
@hytec: I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble with the Symbols menu. Unfortunately, I don't have the bandwidth to provide product support via blog comments. So let me introduce you to www.answers.microsoft.com, a community forum where you can post questions and receive responses from other customers, Microsoft MVPs, and support personnel.
Best of all, answers.microsoft.com is free!
You can search through existing answers to see if a similar question has already been answered or you can post your own.
Jennifer, thank you, I'll post on the Answers Forum.
It's interesting that Word Help for Insert/Symbol would link to your Blog rather than the Answers Forum, or directly to an internal Microsoft Support organization.
Thanks again, Hank
The Word Insert Symbol problem has been solved through Answers.Microsoft.Com. The solution is to uncheck the box labelled "Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse" (in Control Panel\Ease of Access\Eases of Access Center\Make The Mouse Easier To Use).
This is an obscure control function that seems illogical, especially since its selection made the Mouse harder to use. Oh Well, it works, and that's what counts.
Thank you again for your help.
@hytec: Thanks for following up with the answer, Hank. I'm glad Microsoft Answers was able to help you. This sounds like an operating system issue. What version are you using?
Jennifer, I'm using Win7 Home Premium (32 bit) SP1 Build 7601, and Word 2010 Version 14.0.5128.5000 (32 bit).
Apparently this Insert/Symbol Mouse problem was an issue with Word 2007 also, from how I interpret the following thread in Answers.Microsoft.Com.
answers.microsoft.com/.../dad97125-89aa-437d-839c-a7fe54398215
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