8 Simple Ways to Insert a Check Mark ✓ in Word (Windows & Mac)

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Add a tick mark or a check box to your Word document
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If you want to create a simple checklist or keep track of tasks in Microsoft Word, you can insert a checkmark or tick mark symbol. Word has a built-in Symbols menu that includes the checkmark icon. You can easily access this in the Insert tab. You can also set a keyboard shortcut or apply the style to a bullet list. Want to make a tickable check box? We’ll teach you how to do that, too! This wikiHow will show you how to add a checkmark symbol (✓) or checkbox to a Microsoft Word document on both Windows and Mac computers.

How to Insert a Check Mark Symbol in Word

Insert a checkmark in Word from the Symbols menu, which is on the Insert tab. Use the menu to change the font to Wingdings or Segoe UI Symbol , select a checkmark symbol, and click Insert . You can also create a custom keyboard shortcut, use the Unicode hex code 2713, or copy and paste this symbol: ✓.

Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

Using the Insert Menu (Windows)

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  1. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters. [1]
    • If you haven't installed Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365) on your PC, you can install it now from www.office.com .
    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
  2. This will be on the top toolbar, between Home and Draw .
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  3. This will be in the Symbols section, next to Equation .
  4. A new window will open.
  5. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab. [2]
  6. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection. You may need to scroll down.
    • You can also jump to the check mark quickly by entering 252 in the Character code box.
    • Enter character code 254 for a checkmark inside a box.
    • There are also checkmark symbols in the font Segoe UI Symbol. The character codes are 2705 , 2713 , and 2714 .
  7. This will add the check mark to your document.
    • The window won't close after you click Insert . You can place your cursor in another area and click Insert again to add another checkmark in another location.
    • When you're finished, click Close to return to your document.
    • If you need to add another checkmark later, click Insert → Symbol → select the checkmark from the drop-down menu. It will now appear since you used it recently.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

Using the Insert Menu (Mac)

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  1. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
  2. This will be on the top toolbar, between Home and Draw . [3]
  3. You can find this on the far right side of the menu bar, next to Equation .
  4. This is the left tab. You may already be on this tab.
  5. 5
    Select “Wingdings 2” from the Font menu and click the check mark. Click the dropdown menu next to Font at the top of the Symbol window, then select Wingdings 2 . You’ll see two different check mark symbols in this menu: a regular check mark and a check mark in a box. They’re in the second row of symbols.
  6. This is the blue button in the bottom-right corner. The check mark will be added to your document.
    • The window won't close after you click Insert . You can place your cursor in another area and click Insert again to add another checkmark in another location.
    • When you're finished inserting a check mark symbol, click Close to return to your document.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

Creating a Check Mark Shortcut (Windows)

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  1. Another easy way to add a check mark to your Word document is to create a simple keyboard shortcut. Start by clicking the Insert tab, which is on the top toolbar between Home and Draw . [4]
    • Note that you can use this same process to create a custom character shortcut in Word for Mac, but it won’t be specific to the Wingdings font. This means that in most fonts, using this shortcut will insert the character P . You’d need to highlight the character and change it to the Wingdings font for it to display properly.
  2. This will be in the Symbols section, next to Equation . [5]
  3. A new window will open. [6]
  4. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab. [7]
  5. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection. You may need to scroll down.
  6. This will be on the bottom-left corner, next to AutoCorrect... .
  7. Click the "Press new shortcut key" field if your cursor isn't already in the field. Use a combination of a modifier key (such as Alt ) and an alphanumeric key.
    • For example, press ALT + C at the same time. This will assign the checkmark symbol to this shortcut.
    • Avoid using a combination of keys that already represents a different shortcut. (Ex: CTRL + C , which already represents Copy .)
  8. This will assign your shortcut to the checkmark symbol.
    • Click Close on the Customize Keyboard window and Symbol window.
  9. If you set ALT + C as your shortcut, press it on your keyboard.
    • The checkmark symbol will be entered wherever your cursor is.
    • Make sure to save your document .
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Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

Using a Unicode Shortcut (Windows)

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  1. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
  2. 2
    Type in U+2713 . Alternatively, you can type in U+2714 for a slightly different checkmark symbol.
  3. 3
    Press Alt + X . Press both keys at the same time. The code you just typed will immediately turn into a Unicode checkmark symbol!
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Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

Using a Unicode Shortcut (Mac)

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  1. 1
    Enable Unicode hex input on your Mac. You can use keyboard shortcuts to enter special symbols with your Mac’s keyboard, but you need to enable this option in System Settings first. Here’s how to do it: [8]
    • Click the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen and select System Settings > Keyboard . You may need to scroll down in the left-hand menu bar to find it.
    • Under the Text Input header, click Edit next to Input Sources .
    • Click + at the bottom left corner of the window, then search for unicode hex input . Select the result and click Add .
    • Click Done .
  2. 2
    Open your Word document and click where you want to add a check mark. The check will appear wherever you place your cursor.
  3. 3
    Click the keyboard input icon at the top of your Mac’s screen. It’s on the right side of the menu bar. This icon typically looks like a rectangle with a letter or symbol inside representing your current keyboard layout. For example, if your default keyboard is US English, you’ll see a US symbol.
    • Don’t see this icon? Go back to System Settings > Keyboard and click Edit under the Text Input header. Make sure Show input menu in menu bar is toggled on.
  4. 4
    Select Unicode Hex Input . You should see this option in the list of input sources.
  5. 5
    Type in ⌥ Option + 2713 . Hold down the Option key while you type in the Unicode hex code for the check mark symbol. When you’re done, let go of Option . A check mark symbol will appear in your document!
    • For a slightly different check mark symbol, use the code 2714 instead.
    • You can continue to type as usual while you have your keyboard set to Unicode Hex Input, but remember that the Option key will behave differently while you have this keyboard selected.
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Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

Using Character Viewer (Mac)

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  1. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters using a checkmark emoji.
  2. You'll see it at the top-right corner of your Mac's screen. [9]
  3. This opens Character Viewer, which contains many symbols and emoji you can easily add to any document. [10]
  4. Type check into the search bar to filter the symbols to display only checkmarks.
    • Some checkmarks in the Character Viewer have variant versions in different fonts. Single-click a checkmark to select it, then look at the variant options in the Font Variation panel at the bottom right side of the window. Click one of the variants to select it.
  5. You can now insert additional check mark symbols or close the Character Viewer to return to your document.
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Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

Creating a Clickable Check Box

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  1. If you need to create a tickable check box or an entire clickable checklist in your document, you'll need to enable the Developer tab first. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon . Check the box for Developer underneath the Main Tabs header. Click OK .
    • In Word for Mac, go to Word > Preferences > Ribbon and Toolbar > Customize the Ribbon > Main Tabs . Check the box next to Developer and click Save . [11]
  2. After enabling it, this will be located between View and Help (or at the far right end of the ribbon after View on Mac). [12]
  3. You can put a tickable check box before, after, or in between characters.
  4. This can be found in the Controls section on PC. In Word for Mac, it’s in the group of options on the right side of the Developer tab. It looks like a box with a green checkmark inside. The fillable checkmark box will be added to your document. [13]
    • Click the box to mark the X inside.
      • In Word for Mac, double-click the box, then select the radio button next to Checked under the Default Value header to fill in the box. Click OK to close the window.
    • This will save to your default layout, but you can always create a Word template to make it easier to create clickable checklists in the future.
    • Check out these detailed instructions for Microsoft on how to format a full tickable checklist with hanging indentation.
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Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Creating a Check Mark Bullet List

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  1. This is where you'll create your list.
  2. This will be in the Paragraph section of the Home tab.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
    • In some versions of Word, there may already be a check mark in the list of default bullet symbols. If so, simply click the check mark to start making a bulleted list.
  3. You can find this at the bottom of the drop-down menu. [14]
    • A new window will open.
  4. This will be at the top of the pop-up window. [15]
    • In Word for Mac, click Bullet… instead.
  5. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab. [16]
    • On Mac, select Wingdings 2 .
  6. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection (or near the top in Word for Mac). You may need to scroll down.
  7. You'll need to click OK to close the Symbol window and the Define New Bullet window.
  8. Click the bullet list drop-down menu and select the checkmark from the Bullet Library .
    • Enter any line of text you want, then press Enter or Return to create a new checkmark on the next line.
    • If needed, you can format your document if you want to adjust the style.
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  • Question
    How do I insert a check mark in a box in a word document?
    Community Answer
    Change font to Marlett and type a lower case "a". You'll get a check mark!
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      • On a Mac, you can also use the Option + V keyboard shortcut to insert a checkmark. This is technically a square root symbol (√), but it looks similar to a checkmark.
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      • Once you've inserted one checkmark, you can copy it by selecting it and pressing CTRL + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac), after which point you can paste it anywhere you like by pressing Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-check-mark-or-tick-mark-in-word-3affb05e-435f-4b4a-8428-19fb2726863f
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-check-mark-symbol-9f39c129-236e-45be-8c91-263b43dc1e1a
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-check-mark-or-tick-mark-in-word-3affb05e-435f-4b4a-8428-19fb2726863f#id0ebbd=macos
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-check-mark-symbol-9f39c129-236e-45be-8c91-263b43dc1e1a
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-check-mark-symbol-9f39c129-236e-45be-8c91-263b43dc1e1a
      6. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001830.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001830.htm
      8. ↑ https://servicedesk.uwgb.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/PrintArticle?ID=3648
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-emoji-and-symbols-on-mac-mchlp1560/mac
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-emoji-and-symbols-on-mac-mchlp1560/mac
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/show-the-developer-tab-in-word-e356706f-1891-4bb8-8d72-f57a51146792#opendevtab=macos
      3. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/1421782/how-to-add-check-boxes-to-microsoft-word-documents.html
      4. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/1421782/how-to-add-check-boxes-to-microsoft-word-documents.html
      5. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/insert-a-checkbox-in-word-how-to-add-a-checkmark-in-microsoft-word/
      6. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/insert-a-checkbox-in-word-how-to-add-a-checkmark-in-microsoft-word/
      7. ↑ https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/insert-a-checkbox-in-word-how-to-add-a-checkmark-in-microsoft-word/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click Insert .
      2. Click Symbol .
      3. Click More Symbols .
      4. Select Wingdings as the font.
      5. Click the check mark.

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