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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIn Word for Windows, type a character’s hexadecimal Unicode code at the cursor and press Alt+X—for example, 20AC becomes €. That shortcut is not supported in every Office app, and decimal Alt codes are a different method. For other apps or platforms, use the app’s symbol picker or copy the character from Windows Character Map.
Insert a Unicode character in Word for Windows
- Find the character’s hexadecimal code. In Word, choose Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, locate the character, and check the Character code and from fields.
- Make sure the from field says Unicode (hex).
- Place the cursor where the character should go, type the hexadecimal code without a
U+prefix, and press Alt+X. For example,221Abecomes √. Microsoft’s Word instructions say to press Alt+X to convert the code. - If hexadecimal characters appear immediately before the code, select only the code before pressing Alt+X. Otherwise, Word may convert the wrong sequence.
Use the Symbol dialog when you do not know the code
To insert an occasional character, put the cursor in place, choose Insert > Symbol, then select a displayed symbol or open More Symbols. You can browse the available characters instead of memorizing codes. The dialog also reveals which code system applies: Unicode (hex) uses Alt+X, while Symbol (decimal) uses a different entry method.
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Font choice affects which characters are available and how they appear. If a character is missing or looks wrong, try a font that includes it. Microsoft identifies Segoe UI Symbol as containing a large collection of Unicode symbols; its symbol guidance also illustrates how character availability can vary by font.
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These are separate procedures, not interchangeable ways to enter the same kind of code:
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| Code shown in Word | Entry method | Keyboard detail |
|---|---|---|
| Unicode (hex) | Type the hexadecimal value, then press Alt+X | No numeric keypad is required |
| Symbol (decimal) or ASCII decimal code | Use Alt plus the decimal number | Microsoft’s instructions require Num Lock and the numeric keypad, not the number row; shorter codes may need leading zeroes |
Microsoft explains the distinction in its character-code instructions. Check the dialog’s from field before choosing a shortcut.
What to do when Alt+X does not work in your Office app
Alt+X is not universal. Microsoft notes that some programs, including PowerPoint and InfoPath, cannot convert Unicode codes to characters. For those cases, copy the character from Windows Character Map and paste it into the Office app:
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- Open Character Map in Windows. The exact navigation varies by Windows version; Microsoft’s Character Map guidance describes older Windows paths that may not match current menus.
- Choose a font and select the character. You can select multiple characters if needed.
- Copy the selection, then paste it into the Office document.
If the pasted character still does not display correctly, check whether the document’s font supports it. Microsoft’s Latin-based character guide documents app and version coverage; it does not establish that every current Office build supports Alt+X.
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Choose symbols on a Mac
Microsoft’s documented Mac steps are scoped to Office 2016 for Mac, so menu labels may differ in a newer release. In that edition, use:
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- Word: Insert > Advanced Symbol, then the Symbols or Special Characters tab.
- Excel or PowerPoint: Insert > Symbol, then expand Character Viewer.
- Outlook: Edit > Emoji & Symbols.
See Microsoft’s Office for Mac symbol instructions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Enter a character inside an equation
Equation entry is a separate context from ordinary document text. Microsoft documents typing a Unicode hexadecimal value without the U+ prefix and pressing Alt+X within an equation. It also supports Math AutoCorrect commands: for example, type infty and press Space to insert ∞. These commands are case-sensitive.
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On Windows, start an equation with Alt+= in Word, PowerPoint, or OneNote. In Excel, use Insert > Symbols > Equation. Microsoft documents Math AutoCorrect for the listed Office apps on Windows and Mac. See its equation Unicode and Math AutoCorrect guidance.
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Pick the right method for your situation
- One character in Word for Windows: use the Symbol dialog to find its Unicode hex code, then Alt+X.
- Occasional symbols in another app: use that app’s symbol picker, or copy and paste from Character Map if code conversion is unavailable.
- Frequent writing in another language: switch to that language’s keyboard layout rather than inserting each character individually; Microsoft describes this option in its Word symbol guidance.
- Mathematical notation: enter the character within an equation or use a documented Math AutoCorrect command.
- Unexpected or missing glyph: check the selected font before assuming the code or shortcut is wrong.
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