Microsoft Word and Excel are integral applications in the Microsoft Office suite, and their latest versions have become even more powerful with enhanced online functionality for collaboration. The latest versions of the software are considered some of the best online collaboration tools a business can use today.
However, one common question that many users face is how to insert a tick or cross symbol into a document or spreadsheet, as these symbols are not found on a standard keyboard.
Fortunately, inserting these symbols is a simple process, and there are several ways to do it. Whether you prefer copying and pasting, using the Symbol menu, or setting up your own shortcuts, we’ll guide you through the five best methods for adding ticks and crosses in both Word and Excel.
How to insert a tick or a cross symbol in Microsoft Word and Excel: Preparation
Before you start inserting symbols, make sure you have Microsoft Office installed. We recommend using Microsoft 365, the subscription-based version of the Office suite, over all the other alternatives to Microsoft Office. This includes helpful features like AutoSave, real-time collaboration, and mobile editing, making it ideal for team workflows.
However, if you're using a standalone version of Office — such as Office 2019 or even older editions — the methods we’ll describe here will still work, although the interface may look slightly different depending on your version.
By following the steps below, you can easily insert ticks or crosses into your Word or Excel documents, regardless of the version you're using.
Option 1: Copy and paste from the below symbols
One of the easiest ways to insert a tick or cross symbol into a Word or Excel document is by simply copying and pasting the symbol. Below, we’ve provided several variations of ticks and crosses for you to choose from:
Ticks: ✓ ✔ ☑ ✅
Crosses: ✕ ✖ ✗ ✘
To copy and paste the symbol of your choice, follow these steps:
- Highlight (or double-click) the tick or cross symbol you want to use.
- Press Ctrl + C (or right-click and select Copy from the menu).
- Go to the location in your document or spreadsheet where you want the symbol to appear.
- Press Ctrl + V (or right-click and select Paste).
This simple method works across all versions of Word and Excel and can save you time when you need to insert symbols quickly.
Option 2: Insert a tick or a cross using the Symbol menu
Another way to add a tick or cross to your Word or Excel document is by using the Symbol menu, which allows you to insert special characters directly from a library of symbols. Follow these steps to insert a tick or cross:
- Click the Insert tab from the ribbon at the top of your screen.
- Select Symbol, then choose More Symbols from the dropdown menu.
- In the Font selection box, change the font to Dingbats.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the symbol list where you'll find two different styles of ticks and crosses.
- Select the symbol you want, then click Insert.
Using the Symbol menu is a simple way to insert ticks and crosses without memorizing codes or using keyboard shortcuts, and it offers a visual approach to selecting the symbol that fits your needs.
Option 3: Insert a tick or a cross using the character code
For a faster approach, you can use character codes to insert a tick or cross symbol directly into your document. This method is quick and works well if your computer’s keyboard has a numeric keypad. Here’s how to do it:
- Click in the document where you want the symbol to appear.
- Change the font to Wingdings.
- Hold down the Alt key and type the corresponding four-digit code on your number pad: Tick: 0252 Tick with a box: 0254 Cross: 0251Cross with a box: 0253
- Release the Alt key, and the symbol will appear in your document.
This method is ideal for those who prefer using keyboard shortcuts and need a quick way to insert these symbols, especially in documents where repetitive symbol use is needed.
Option 4: Insert a tick or a cross with a built-in keyboard shortcut
If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, Word and Excel have built-in shortcuts for inserting ticks and crosses using the Wingdings 2 font. Here’s how to do it:
- Place the cursor where you want the symbol to appear.
- Change the font to Wingdings 2.
- Use the following keyboard shortcuts: Tick: Press Shift + P Cross: Press Shift + O
- For boxed versions: Tick in a box: Press Shift + R Cross in a box: Press Shift + Q
This method is great for users who frequently need to add these symbols and want a quick and efficient way to insert them without having to open menus.
Option 5: Set your own keyboard shortcuts for the tick or cross
If you frequently use tick or cross symbols, setting up your own custom keyboard shortcuts can save time. You can assign these shortcuts to specific symbols by following these steps:
- Click the Insert tab in the top ribbon.
- Select Symbol, then choose More Symbols.
- In the Font dropdown, choose Wingdings or Wingdings 2 and find the tick or cross symbol you want to assign a shortcut to.
- Click the Shortcut Key button at the bottom of the window.
- In the new window, type your preferred key combination (e.g., Ctrl + Shift + T for a tick or Ctrl + Shift + X for a cross).
- Click Assign, then Close to save your new shortcut.
You can now use your custom keyboard shortcut to quickly insert the symbol in any document, making it easier to add ticks or crosses without navigating through menus.
Option 6: Insert a Tick or Cross Using AutoCorrect
If you’re looking for an even quicker way to add tick or cross symbols, you can configure Microsoft Word and Excel’s AutoCorrect feature to automatically insert these symbols whenever you type a specific word or abbreviation. Here’s how to set it up:
- Click the File tab, then choose Options.
- In the Word Options (or Excel Options) window, select Proofing from the sidebar.
- Click AutoCorrect Options.
- In the Replace field, type the text you want to trigger the symbol (e.g., "tick1" for a tick or "cross1" for a cross).
- In the With field, paste the symbol you want to use (e.g., ✓ or ✕).
- Click Add, then OK to save the changes.
Now, whenever you type the trigger text (e.g., "tick1"), Word or Excel will automatically replace it with the tick or cross symbol. This method is perfect for those who frequently need to use these symbols and want to streamline their workflow.
Summary
We’ve outlined five ways to insert ticks and crosses into your Microsoft Word and Excel documents. You can use the Symbol menu, enter the character code, or use a keyboard shortcut.
The Microsoft Office suite is in our list of the best tools and apps for remote workers, though we’ve found that many companies still aren’t making the most of Microsoft 365, because employees aren’t always aware of all the features that are available to them.
For more information on how to get the best out of Microsoft Word and Excel, we’ve put together a few guides. We discuss how to use the Microsoft Office Ribbon and how to start page numbering from a specific page in Microsoft Word. You may also find it useful to learn how to insert and edit footnotes in Microsoft Word.
