How to easily make a degree symbol on Mac

Are you a student or a professional constantly working on your Mac device? If yes, then you must have come across the need to type a degree symbol (°) at some point. However, it may seem tricky to insert the degree sign on your keyboard, especially if you are not familiar with its keyboard shortcut. But fret not, because we have got you covered with this simple guide on how to make a degree sign on Mac.

First, let’s understand why the degree symbol is used and what it represents. The degree sign is a typographical symbol used to denote temperature, angles, or geographic coordinates. It is widely used in various fields such as science, engineering, and math. If you too need to use it frequently, keep reading to learn the quickest and easiest ways to insert a degree sign on your Mac device.

Setting up Your Keyboard for Degree Sign on Mac

1. Check Your Keyboard Layout

Before you start searching for the degree sign, you need to ensure that you have the right keyboard layout installed on your Mac. For instance, if you have a US keyboard, then the degree sign should be easy to access using the shortcut keys.

2. Learn the Keyboard Shortcut

The degree sign can be accessed using the keyboard shortcut by pressing down the Option key and the Shift key together, followed by the number 8 key on the keyboard.

3. Using the Character Viewer

If you prefer to use the on-screen keyboard or a character viewer to locate symbols such as degree sign, you can easily do that too. Access the character viewer by clicking on the Edit menu, then selecting “Special Characters” or “Emoji & Symbols”.

4. Adding Custom Shortcuts

You can also set up custom keyboard shortcuts for frequently used symbols such as the degree sign. Simply navigate to the Keyboard System Preferences, click on the Shortcuts tab, and select App Shortcuts. From there, click the “+” sign to add a new shortcut.

5. Using Third-Party Apps

There are several third-party apps available in the Mac App Store that provide quick access to special symbols such as the degree sign. A quick search with the appropriate keywords will reveal multiple standalone apps that can be downloaded and used on your Mac.

6. Copy and Paste

If you only need to use the degree sign occasionally, copy and paste is the easiest way to get it done. Simply copy the degree sign from a website or document, then paste it where you want it on your Mac.

7. Using Keyboard Viewer

The Keyboard Viewer is another useful tool for locating and typing special characters such as the degree sign. Access the tool by clicking on the flag icon in the top menu bar, then selecting “Show Keyboard Viewer”.

8. Customizing Keys with Keyboard Maestro

Keyboard Maestro is a powerful third-party app that allows you to customize your keyboard shortcuts and automate repetitive tasks. If you frequently use the degree sign on your Mac, you might consider using Keyboard Maestro to bind the degree sign to a specific key combination.

9. Using AutoCorrect Feature

You can also set up the AutoCorrect feature on your Mac to replace specific text shortcuts with their corresponding symbols. This will save you time and effort when typing frequently used symbols such as the degree sign.

10. Using TextExpander

TextExpander is a powerful app that allows you to create custom typing shortcuts. With TextExpander, you can create a shortcut for the degree sign, and the app will automatically replace the shortcut with the degree sign when you type it. TextExpander even allows you to create snippets that can include dates, times, and other useful information along with the degree sign.

Section 2: How to Make Degree Symbol on Mac Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If copying and pasting the degree symbol isn’t something you want to constantly do, there is an easier way to do it. This is by using keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that allow you to access certain commands quickly. Here’s how you can use keyboard shortcuts to make a degree symbol on Mac:

1. Typing Degree Symbol on Mac Using the Shortcut Key Combination

One of the easiest ways to make the degree symbol on Mac is by using the shortcut key combination. Here’s how to do it:

– Press and hold the “Option” key (also called “Alt” key) on your keyboard.
– While holding down the “Option” key, press the “Zero” key. This will create a degree symbol.

It’s that simple and saves you the time of having to copy and paste the symbol each time you need to use it.

2. How to Insert Degree Symbol on Mac Using the Character Viewer

The Character Viewer is a hidden tool on your Mac that enables you to access all sorts of symbols and characters, including the degree symbol. Here’s how to use it:

– Click on the “Edit” menu on the top left corner of your screen.
– Select “Emoji & Symbols”.
– In the search menu, type “degree” or “temperature”.
– Click on the degree symbol, and it will automatically insert itself into your document.

This method might take a bit longer compared to using the shortcut key combination, but it’s handy if you can’t remember keyboard shortcuts.

3. Typing Degree Symbol on Mac Using the AutoCorrect Feature

Mac also offers an AutoCorrect feature that can automatically replace a particular text with a symbol or character. This feature can also be used to insert the degree symbol. Here’s how to use it:

– Go to “System Preferences” on your Mac and select “Keyboard”.
– Click on the “Text” tab and select the “+” button to add a new entry.
– In the “Replace” field, type in “deg” or “degree”.
– In the “With” field, type the degree symbol.
– Click on “Add”.

Once you’ve added the AutoCorrect entry, every time you type in “deg” or “degree”, it will automatically replace it with the degree symbol.

4. How to Make Degree Symbol Using the Character Palette

The Character Palette is another great tool that allows you to select and insert different symbols into your documents. Here’s how to use it:

– Launch the application you want to use (e.g., Pages, Word Document).
– Click on “Edit” and select “Special Characters”.
– In the search field, type in “degree”.
– Double click on the degree symbol, and it will automatically insert itself into your document.

This method is especially useful if you need to insert other symbols and characters apart from the degree symbol.

5. How to Use TextExpander to Make Degree Symbol on Mac

TextExpander is a productivity tool that helps you save time by replacing keywords or phrases with predefined snippets. Here’s how to use it to make the degree symbol:

– Launch the TextExpander application on your Mac.
– Click on the “+” button to create a new snippet.
– In the “Abbreviation” field, type in “degree”.
– In the “Content” field, paste the degree symbol.
– Save the snippet and assign a shortcut key or abbreviation.

Once you’ve saved the snippet, every time you type in “degree”, it will be replaced with the degree symbol.

6. Using Keyboard Viewer to Insert Degree Symbol on Mac

The Keyboard Viewer is a visual tool that shows which keys are available on your keyboard. It allows you to click on keys that might not be available on your keyboard, including the degree symbol. Here’s how to use it:

– Click on the Apple menu on the top left corner of your screen.
– Select “System Preferences”.
– Click on “Keyboard” and then “Input Sources”.
– Select “Keyboard & Character Viewers”.
– Click on the keyboard icon in your menu bar and select “Show Keyboard Viewer”.
– In the Keyboard Viewer, locate the degree symbol, click on it, and it will automatically insert itself into your document.

This method might be a bit more time-consuming than others, but it’s worth trying if you’re not familiar with keyboard shortcuts.

7. How to Use Third-Party Apps to Insert Degree Symbol on Mac

There are various third-party apps available on the Mac App Store that can help you insert symbols and characters easily. Here are some popular ones:

– PopChar X: A tool that allows you to access all symbols and characters available on your Mac and insert them into your documents quickly.
– CharacterPal: An app that allows you to access and insert symbols into your documents through a keyboard shortcut or the menu bar.
– Unicode Pad: A simple yet handy app that allows you to insert any Unicode character, including the degree symbol, into your documents.

These apps are useful if you work with symbols and characters extensively and require them often.

8. Common Mistakes When Making Degree Symbol on Mac

There are a few common mistakes that people make when trying to make the degree symbol on Mac. These include:

– Not pressing down the “Option” key
– Using a different combination of keys instead of “Option” + “Zero”
– Copying and pasting the wrong symbol
– Using symbols that look like the degree symbol but are not (e.g., superscript “o”)

It’s important to double-check the symbol you’ve inserted in your document to ensure it’s correct.

9. How to Make Celsius and Fahrenheit Symbols on Mac

Apart from the degree symbol, you might also need to insert the Celsius or Fahrenheit symbols in your documents. Here’s how to do it:

– Celsius Symbol: To make the Celsius symbol (℃) on Mac, type “Shift” + “Option” + “8”.
– Fahrenheit Symbol: To make the Fahrenheit symbol (℉) on Mac, type “Option” + “Shift” + “K”.

It’s important to note that these symbols might not be available in some fonts or applications.

10. Conclusion

In conclusion, making the degree symbol on Mac doesn’t have to be complicated. There are various options available, including using keyboard shortcuts, the Character Viewer, AutoCorrect, and third-party apps. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can insert the degree symbol quickly and effortlessly, regardless of your preferences.

Methods on how to make a degree sign on Mac

Making a degree sign on Mac can be done in different ways. Here, we will discuss five methods that you can use to type the degree symbol on your Mac computer.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

The easiest way to make a degree sign on Mac is to use a keyboard shortcut. This method works in any application that allows text entry.

Method 2: Special Characters Menu

The Special Characters menu is a built-in feature in Mac that allows you to access a wide range of symbols and characters, including the degree sign.

Method 3: Copy and Paste

Another way to make a degree sign on Mac is to copy and paste it from another source, like a website or document.

Method 4: Autocorrect

If you frequently use degree signs in your writing, you can set up autocorrect to automatically replace a text string with the degree symbol.

Method 5: Keyboard Viewer

The Keyboard Viewer is a built-in feature in Mac that lets you view and access all the characters on your keyboard, including special symbols like the degree sign.

In conclusion, there are different methods that you can use on how to make a degree sign on Mac. Whether you prefer using a keyboard shortcut or a special characters menu, typing the degree symbol can be done quickly and efficiently. Try out the above-listed methods and choose the one that suits you best.

Say Goodbye to Degree Sign Woes on Mac

That’s it! You now know how to make a degree sign on your Mac with ease, and without spending hours trying to figure it out. It’s always the little things that can make the biggest difference, and knowing how to make a degree sign will save you time and stress in the long run. Hope this article was helpful, and thank you for reading! Come back soon for more Apple tips and tricks.