Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTo insert a check mark in Word, click where it should go, choose Insert > Symbol, select a check mark (or choose More Symbols to find one), then insert it. That adds a static character. If you need a box readers can click to toggle, use Word’s checklist or checkbox controls instead.
Insert a static check mark with the symbol picker
- Click in the document where you want the mark.
- Choose Insert > Symbol. In some Mac versions, the path appears as Insert > Advanced Symbol > Symbols.
- Select a check mark if one appears in the gallery. If not, choose More Symbols and browse the symbol grid. If needed, change the font to Segoe UI Symbol, which includes check-mark characters.
- Double-click the mark to insert it, then close the dialog. On Mac, select the symbol and choose Insert, then Close.
- To change its size, select the inserted mark and use the font-size control.
Microsoft documents this symbol-picker method for Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019 and Word 2016, including Mac editions. Menu wording can vary by version. See Microsoft Support.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Use a character code in Word for Windows
On Windows desktop Word, you can insert a check mark through the symbol dialog using a font-specific code. Microsoft documents Wingdings codes 252 and 254, and Unicode hexadecimal codes 2705, 2713 and 2714 in Segoe UI Symbol. The font and code must match.
- Choose Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
- Set the font to Wingdings, enter 252 in the Character code box, and choose Insert. Code 254 is another documented check-mark option.
- Alternatively, select Segoe UI Symbol and use one of its documented Unicode hexadecimal codes: 2705, 2713 or 2714.
- Close the dialog when done.
Type a code at the cursor with Alt+X
For a Unicode hexadecimal code, type the code where you want the mark, then press Alt+X. If the code is immediately after another character, select only the code before pressing the shortcut; otherwise Word may convert the wrong text.
#1 Best Overall
Enter a decimal code with the numeric keypad
If the symbol dialog’s From field says Symbol (decimal), hold Alt and type the decimal value on the numeric keypad with Num Lock enabled. The number row above the letters does not substitute for the keypad. If the keyboard has no keypad or a shortcut produces the wrong glyph, use the symbol picker instead. Microsoft’s character-code instructions distinguish decimal entry from Unicode hexadecimal conversion: Insert ASCII or Unicode character codes in Word.
Choose the right kind of check for a list or form
| What you need | Use this in Word | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| A mark that stays in the document | Insert > Symbol | Adds a static character; it does not toggle. |
| An empty box for a printed checklist | Home > Bullets > Define New Bullet > Symbol | Creates a printable list marker, not a clickable control. |
| A clickable checklist in desktop Word | Developer tab > Check Box Content Control | Adds a control users can select. On Windows desktop, the checked state initially uses an X; Microsoft says its symbol can be changed in the control’s properties. |
| A clickable checklist in Word for the web | Home tab > Checklist, or Ctrl+, | Lets users toggle between an empty and ticked box. This feature and shortcut are specifically documented for Word for the web. |
For the desktop interactive checklist, type the list, insert a Check Box Content Control at the first line, then copy it to the other lines. The Developer tab may need to be enabled in Word settings. Microsoft’s checklist instructions cover desktop controls, printable bullets and the web checklist: Make a checklist in Word.
Rank #2
- The Microsoft Office 365 Bible: The Most Updated and Complete Guide to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Teams, Access, and Publisher from Beginners to Advanced
- ABIS BOOK
Insert the same check mark repeatedly
If you use one mark often, desktop Word lets you create an AutoCorrect entry: set a replacement string and the corresponding check mark as the replacement. Choose a unique string that will not accidentally appear in ordinary writing. Word for the web supports AutoCorrect but does not let users add or remove entries in the AutoCorrect list. See Microsoft’s instructions for adding or removing AutoCorrect entries in Word.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
Fix common check-mark problems
- The code inserts the wrong symbol: confirm that the font matches the code. Use Segoe UI Symbol for the listed Unicode options, or Wingdings for the documented Windows code route.
- The mark appears as a box or unfamiliar character: switch to the symbol picker and try a font that contains the intended glyph.
- Alt+X does not convert the code: make sure you entered a Unicode hexadecimal value and select just that code before pressing Alt+X if it follows another character.
- Alt plus a number does not work: decimal entry requires the numeric keypad and Num Lock; it is different from Alt+X.
- The mark is too small or the wrong color: select it and adjust its font size or text formatting.
- You need to change the state later: replace the static symbol with a checkbox control or a Word for the web checklist; a symbol inserted as text cannot be toggled.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
