Inserting Symbols and Special Characters

Inserting Symbols and Special Characters

Many everyday documents, such as letters and memos, require special characters here and there. For example, you might need to use the trademark symbol (), a long dash (), or the ellipsis (]). Word inserts many of these symbols for you automatically as you type. If it doesn't insert the one you need, you can likely find it in the Symbol dialog box.

To see what symbols Word inserts automatically, first choose Tools, AutoCorrect to display the AutoCorrect dialog box, and click the AutoCorrect tab. As you saw in the "Correcting Text Automatically" section, when you type the characters in the left column, Word replaces them with the symbols on the right. Next, click the AutoFormat As You Type tab. The Replace As You Type options in the middle of the dialog box insert many symbols for you as well (see Figure 8.7). Click the Cancel button to close the AutoCorrect dialog box.

Figure 8.7. The Replace As You Type options insert many symbols for you as you type.

To insert a less commonly used symbol, follow these steps:

1. Click where you want the symbol to go, and choose Insert, Symbol (see Figure 8.8).

   Figure 8.8. The Symbol dialog box lets you insert all sorts of symbols.

   

2. Click the Symbols tab if it isn't already in front. Look through the symbols in the grid. If you want to see one more clearly, click it to magnify it.

3. If you don't see the symbol you want, display the Font drop-down list, and choose a different font set.

4. To insert a symbol, double-click it, and then click the Close button.