How to Insert a Checkmark in Microsoft Word

Are you someone who struggles with inserting a checkmark in Microsoft Word? Fear not, for it’s easier than you think! A checkmark is a symbol used to indicate that a task is complete or that something is correct. Knowing how to insert a checkmark in Word can be useful in creating to-do lists, academic assignments, or even for administrative tasks at work. With just a few clicks, you’ll be able to insert a checkmark in no time.

The process of inserting a checkmark varies depending on which version of Word you’re using. However, in most cases, it involves using the “Symbols” function in Word’s menu. There are several types of checkmarks to choose from, including simple tick symbols, check box symbols, and wingdings. Whether you’re using a PC or a Mac, we’ve got you covered with these easy steps to make adding a checkmark in Word a breeze.

After introducing the readers to the purpose of the article, let’s dive straight into the different ways you can make a checkmark on Word!

Method 1: Insert Symbol

If you’re looking for the simplest and quickest way to make a checkmark, this method is for you. On the Word toolbar, look for the ‘Insert’ tab and click on it. Under ‘Symbols’, click on ‘More Symbols’. This opens up a dialog box where you can find hundreds of symbols.

To make a checkmark, locate the ‘Symbols’ tab and scroll down till you find the checkmark symbol. Click on it, then press the ‘Insert’ button. Your checkmark should now be added to your document.

Method 2: AutoCorrect

This is another simple method to insert a checkmark in Word. Go to the ‘File’ tab, which is located in the top left corner, click on ‘Options’ and then click on ‘Proofing’. From there, click on ‘AutoCorrect Options’.

In the ‘Replace’ box, type ‘cm’ and in the ‘With’ box, insert the checkmark symbol (✓). Click ‘Add’ and then ‘OK’. Whenever you want to use a checkmark, type ‘cm’ and press ‘Enter’.

Method 3: Keyboard Shortcut

If you’re a fan of keyboard shortcuts, this method is perfect for you. Press the ‘Alt’ key and ‘0252’ on your numeric keypad. Your checkmark should appear on your document.

Method 4: Wingdings Font

Word has numerous fonts, including Wingdings, which contains many symbols. Change your document’s font to Wingdings, then find the checkmark symbol, which is the character ‘P’ identified as ‘wingdings character code 251’.

Type the letter ‘P’ to add a checkmark to your document. To revert back to your regular font, highlight the checkmark symbol and reselect your preferred font.

Method 5: Webdings Font

Another font option is the Webdings font, which features a range of symbols. Open a new blank document, change the font to Webdings, find the checkmark symbol identified as ‘webdings character code 252’ and add it to your document.

As with Wingdings font, you can revert back to your default font after adding your checkmark.

Method 6: Drawing Toolbar

If you would like to customize your checkmark, use the drawing toolbar in Word. From the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘Shapes’ and select a shape that suits your needs.

Draw the checkmark shape on your document and customize it using the options in the ‘Format’ tab. This method is ideal for users who prefer a unique checkmark.

Method 7: Symbol Dialog Box

For this method, select the box where you’d like to insert the checkmark, then click on the ‘Insert’ tab. Choose ‘Symbol’ and then ‘More Symbols’.

Select the ‘Wingdings font’ and find the checkmark symbol. Double-click on the symbol to insert it into your document.

Method 8: AutoFormat Option

Another useful option for quick checkmark insertion is with AutoFormat. From the ‘File’ tab, select ‘Options’ and click on ‘Proofing’. Find ‘AutoCorrect Options’ and select the ‘AutoFormat As You Type’ tab.

Tick the box that reads ‘Symbol Characters (✔, ©, ®, etc.) with symbols’ and press ‘OK’. In your document, type ‘tick’ followed by a space or punctuation mark, and it will appear as a checkmark.

Method 9: Copy and Paste

If you have already inserted a checkmark in your document and would like to reuse it, highlight the checkmark and press ‘Ctrl+C’ to copy it to the clipboard.

Place the cursor where you want to use the checkmark and press ‘Ctrl+V’ to paste it. This method, while simple, is best suited for cases where you need to use an identical checkmark multiple times.

Method 10: Use a Checkmark Font

If you need to use checkmarks regularly in your work, consider using a checkmark font. These are fonts designed explicitly for checkmarks and similar symbols, allowing easy insertion without having to search for them every time.

Install a checkmark font on your device, then choose it from Word’s font list and start typing your checkmarks. This method is suitable for users who use checkmarks frequently and want to streamline their workflow.

In conclusion, making a checkmark on Word is easy and straightforward, and with these ten methods, you can choose the one that works best for you. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts or customized checkmarks, Word has you covered.

Using the Wingdings Font

Another way to make a checkmark in Word is by utilizing the Wingdings font. This approach is easy and straightforward; follow these steps:

1. Open your Word document and click where you want to insert the checkmark.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Symbol.”
3. In the Symbol dialog box, select “Wingdings” from the “Font” drop-down menu.
4. Find the checkmark icon by scrolling through the symbols or typing “ü” in the “Character Code” box, then click the “Insert” button.
5. Finally, press “Close” to exit the Symbol dialog box.

Now that you have inserted the checkmark, you can change its color and size or adjust its location like any other text in your document. Remember that Wingdings has several checkmark options, including an open and closed box, so take your time and choose the one that fits your needs.

Using the Unicode Character

Unicode is another method you can employ to insert checkmarks in Word. Here’s how:

1. Place the cursor where you want the checkmark to appear.
2. Press “Ctrl+Shift+U” on your computer keyboard. You should now see an underline-like symbol followed by a “u” on your screen.
3. Type the Unicode code for the checkmark according to the following table:

4. After typing the code, press the “Enter” key. The checkmark should appear in the document.

Unicode checkmarks are more versatile than other approaches since they allow you to change the checkmark’s style and size, and you can use them in multiple devices and operating systems that support Unicode. However, remember that inserting checkmarks via Unicode requires memorizing the Unicode codes or looking them up, which can be cumbersome.

Using the Symbol Command

The Symbol command is another tool you can use to make checkmarks in Word. Here’s how:

1. Go to the “Insert” tab, and click on “Symbol.”
2. In the Symbol dialog box, select “More Symbols.”
3. Choose “Wingdings” from the “Font” drop-down menu.
4. Find the checkmark icon that you want to use.
5. Click on the “Insert” button.
6. Once you have inserted the checkmark, click on “Close” to exit the Symbol dialog box.

After following these steps, you can change the checkmark style, size, and characteristics just like you would any other text in your document. Symbol command checkmarks are an excellent option for users who prefer a visual menu rather than typing.

Creating a Custom Checkmark

While the default checkmarks in Word are convenient, you may need to create a custom checkmark that aligns better with your specific needs. Follow these steps to make a customized checkmark:

1. On the “Insert” tab, click on the “Shapes” command.
2. Choose a shape that resembles the checkmark you want.
3. Select the shape to activate the Format tab, where you can change its size, color, and line weight.
4. Right-click the shape and choose “Edit Points.”
5. Drag each corner of the shape to refine it until it looks like a checkmark.
6. Click “Close” to exit the Edit Points mode.

The custom checkmark is now ready to use. Remember that creating your custom checkmark gives you more control over the shape but requires more time than inserting a default checkmark.

Using Autocorrect to Insert Checkmarks

If you’re tired of constantly navigating the Symbols dialog box or memorizing Unicode codes, you can use the Autocorrect tool in Word to replace specific text with checkmarks automatically. Here’s how:

1. Go to the “File” tab, then click on “Options.”
2. Choose “Proofing” from the list on the left, then click the “Autocorrect Options…” button.
3. In the Autocorrect dialog box, type the text that you want to replace, such as “checkmark,” in the “Replace” box and choose a character from the “With” box- you can copy and paste checkmark characters from other sources into this box.
4. Press “Add” and then “OK.”
5. Now, each time you type the designated text in your document and press “Space,” the Autocorrect tool will replace it with your chosen checkmark.

The Autocorrect feature is a great way to speed up your work and ensures that you use the same checkmark throughout your document.

The Checkmark Stuck in the Middle of a Word

Sometimes, you might need to insert a checkmark in the middle of a word, and it gets wrapped with text. If this is occurring, try the following fix:

1. Place the cursor where the checkmark appears.
2. Highlight the checkmark and the surrounding text.
3. Right-click, hover over “Font,” and choose “Advanced” from the drop-down menu.
4. In the Character Spacing tab, choose “Condensed” from the “Spacing” drop-down menu, or set the spacing you want.
5. Click “OK” to close the window. The checkmark should now appear correctly without interfering with the text.

The above fix only works if the checkmark appears as a font character. If not, you can try inserting the checkmark as an image or shape instead.

Inserting a Checkmark in Bullet Points

If your Word document contains bullet points, you may want to use checkmarks instead of bullet points to indicate completed or verified items. Here’s how:

1. Select the entire list you want to modify.
2. Choose “Home” from the menu bar.
3. Click on the “Bullets” command on the ribbon to remove the existing bullet points.
4. Click on the “Multilevel List” command, then select “Define New Multilevel List.”
5. In the Define New Multilevel List dialog box, choose “Symbol” under the “Number Format” drop-down menu.
6. Click “Font,” then find and select the checkmark icon you want to use.
7. Press “OK” to close all dialog boxes. Your bullet points should be replaced with checkmarks.

Checkmarks in lists provide a clear and effective way to show which items have been completed or verified, making them a popular choice for tracking tasks or completing to-do lists.

The Checkmark Isn’t Printing

If you have inserted a checkmark in your Word document, but it isn’t printing, the issue may be related to the font or settings you’ve used. Here are a few fixes to try:

1. Check if the printer driver is updated to the latest version
2. If you’re using the Wingdings font, try changing to a different font that includes the checkmark character, such as Webdings or Segoe UI Symbol.
3. If the checkmark is black and the document is set to print in grayscale or black and white, the checkmark may not print. Check the settings to ensure that colored text or images can be printed.

If all else fails, you can try converting the checkmark to a shape or image format before printing, which should ensure that it prints correctly.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have a variety of methods to insert checkmarks in your Word documents, you can choose the approach that best suits your needs and workstyle. Whether you prefer typing, selecting from the menu, or customizing your checkmark shape, you can make sure your work is visually appealing and organized.

Creating a checkmark on Word is a useful skill for those who want to add one to their documentation or presentation. There are different ways to make a checkmark on Word, and each of them has distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we’ll go over some of the methods available and discuss how to apply them to your document.

1. Creating a Checkmark with Wingding or Webdings Font

One way to make a checkmark on Word is to use Wingding or Webdings font. This method is easy, and the checkmark is usually pre-installed on Microsoft Word. To use this method, follow these steps:

– Step 1: Click on the “Insert” tab on your Word document
– Step 2: Select “Symbol” and then click on “More Symbols.”
– Step 3: From the drop-down font option, select either “Wingdings” or “Webdings”.
– Step 4: Scroll through the table of symbols, find the checkmark and click on “Insert.”

Once you have the checkmark, you can resize it to your desired size. However, be aware that this method has limitations, and the checkmark may not be available in all font types.

2. Typing Checkmark with “X” and Wingdings Font

Another way to make a checkmark is by typing an “X” then formatting it with the Wingding Font. This method works well when you want a different style of checkmark than the one available with the pre-installed checkmark on Word. To use this method, follow these steps:

– Step 1: Type an “X” in your document
– Step 2: Highlight the “X” and change the font to either “Wingdings” or “Webdings.”
– Step 3: The “X” will now appear as a checkmark.

This method produces an excellent check mark, but you have to remember to switch back to your original font when you’re done.

3. Creating a Checkmark with a Symbol Command

You can also create a checkmark using the “AutoCorrect” feature on Word. With this method, you can assign a specific key combination to produce a checkmark. To use this method:

– Step 1: Type a word like “tick” and then immediately press the “Alt” and “X” keys at the same time.
– Step 2: Word will replace the word “tick” with a checkmark symbol.

The benefit of this method is that you can customize the key combination according to your preference.

4. Creating a Checkmark with a Shape

Another way to make a checkmark is by using a shape. To use this method:

– Step 1: On your Word document, click on the “Insert” tab.
– Step 2: Choose the “Shapes” option, then click on “Tick Mark” under the “Basic Shapes” option.
– Step 3: Click anywhere on your document to create the checkmark, and you can then resize or change the color of the checkmark according to your preference.

This method is more labor-intensive than the others, but it allows for greater creativity and control over the final product.

5. Copy and Paste

Finally, you can create a checkmark by copying it from another source and pasting it into your document. This method works well if you’ve already found a checkmark that meets your needs and you don’t want to spend time creating your own. To use this method:

– Step 1: Find the checkmark symbol you want to use (for example, through an online search or a different Word document.)
– Step 2: Highlight the checkmark and press the “Ctrl” and “C” keys.
– Step 3: Go to your current Word document and place your cursor where you want to insert the checkmark. Press “Ctrl” and “V” keys to paste the checkmark.

This method is useful, but be aware that if the checkmark is not of high quality, it can appear blurry when it’s been resized.

In conclusion, creating a checkmark on Word is simple and straightforward. With some of these methods discussed above, you can make a checkmark that fits your document’s needs. By following the steps, you can create a checkmark that appears professional and sophisticated.

Happy Checkmarking!

Now that you know how to make a checkmark in Word, you can add a unique touch to your documents. No more searching high and low for an emoji or symbol – just follow the steps and you’re good to go. Thanks for reading this article and we hope it was helpful to you. Come back again soon to learn more helpful tips and tricks!