Inserting symbols like the degree sign, copyright mark, or Euro currency in Word often requires opening the Symbol dialog or remembering complex Unicode codes. This slows down typing when you need the same symbol multiple times. The Alt+Number shortcut, also called the Alt code method, lets you insert symbols by holding the Alt key and typing a specific numeric code on the numeric keypad. This article explains which symbols work with this method, how to set up your keyboard correctly, and how to use Alt codes efficiently in Word.
Key Takeaways: How to Use Alt+Number Shortcuts for Symbols in Word
- Numeric keypad must be enabled and NumLock on: Alt codes do not work with the number row above the letters; only the separate numeric keypad on full-size keyboards or the embedded numpad on some laptops works.
- Hold Alt, type the four-digit code, then release Alt: For example, Alt+0169 inserts the copyright symbol (©); Alt+0176 inserts the degree sign (°).
- Use the Character Map or Symbol dialog to find codes: If you do not know the Alt code, open Character Map in Windows or the Symbol dialog in Word to see the numeric code for any symbol.
How Alt+Number Shortcuts Work in Word
Alt codes are a legacy Windows feature that dates back to the original IBM PC. Each symbol is assigned a decimal numeric code between 0 and 255 for the basic set, and codes up to 65535 for extended Unicode symbols. When you hold the Alt key and type the code on the numeric keypad, Windows sends the corresponding character to the active application, including Word.
The codes are divided into two ranges:
- Alt codes 0–255: These correspond to the original IBM extended ASCII character set. Common symbols include © (0169), ® (0174), ™ (0153), and ° (0176).
- Alt codes 256 and above: These require a leading zero and use the Windows code page. For example, Alt+0128 produces the Euro sign (€). Codes above 255 must be typed with the leading zero.
Word itself does not generate these codes; the operating system intercepts the key combination and inserts the character. This means the same Alt codes work in most Windows applications, not just Word. However, the numeric keypad must be present and active. Laptops without a dedicated numeric keypad can use a function key combination (often Fn+Alt+embedded numbers) or the On-Screen Keyboard.
Prerequisites for Using Alt Codes
Before you can use Alt+Number shortcuts, verify these three conditions:
- Numeric keypad available
You need a keyboard with a separate numeric keypad on the right side. Desktop keyboards almost always have one. Many laptop keyboards do not; check if your laptop has number keys embedded in the letter keys (often marked in a different color). - NumLock is on
The numeric keypad works only when the NumLock key is enabled. Press the NumLock key once; most keyboards have an indicator light that shows when it is active. - Correct code format
Type the code using the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters. Hold the Alt key with your left thumb, type the digits with your right hand, then release Alt. The symbol appears immediately.
Steps to Insert Symbols Using Alt Codes in Word
Method 1: Insert a Symbol Directly With Alt Code
- Place the cursor where you want the symbol
Click in the Word document at the exact insertion point. - Turn on NumLock
Press the NumLock key. Check that the NumLock indicator light is on. - Hold the Alt key
Press and hold the Alt key on the left side of the spacebar. Do not release it yet. - Type the numeric code on the numeric keypad
For example, type 0169 for the copyright symbol. Use only the keys on the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters. - Release the Alt key
The symbol appears at the cursor position. If nothing happens, check that NumLock is on and that you used the numeric keypad.
Method 2: Find the Alt Code for Any Symbol
- Open the Symbol dialog in Word
Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols. The Symbol dialog opens. - Select the symbol
Scroll through the list or use the Subset dropdown to narrow the category. Click the symbol you want. - Read the Alt code in the dialog
Look at the bottom of the dialog. A label says Shortcut key: and shows the current keyboard shortcut. Directly below it, the label Alt code: shows the numeric code. For example, the Euro sign shows Alt code: 0128. - Use that code in your document
Close the dialog, then follow Method 1 to insert the symbol using the code you found.
Method 3: Use the Windows Character Map to Find Codes
- Open Character Map
Press the Windows key, type Character Map, and press Enter. - Select a font
Choose a font from the Font dropdown. Most symbols appear in multiple fonts, but some are font-specific. - Click the symbol
Scroll through the grid or use the Group by dropdown to find categories like Currency Symbols or Mathematical Operators. Click the symbol to select it. - Read the keystroke information
Look at the bottom-left corner of the Character Map window. It displays Keystroke: Alt+ followed by the numeric code. For example, the registered trademark symbol shows Keystroke: Alt+0174. - Copy or use the code
You can click Select, then Copy to paste the symbol into Word, or note the Alt code and type it directly.
Common Alt Codes for Frequently Used Symbols
The table below lists the most common symbols that business users insert in Word documents. All codes require the leading zero for consistency, even though some codes below 256 work without it.
| Symbol | Name | Alt Code |
|---|---|---|
| © | Copyright | Alt+0169 |
| ® | Registered trademark | Alt+0174 |
| ™ | Trademark | Alt+0153 |
| ° | Degree sign | Alt+0176 |
| € | Euro currency | Alt+0128 |
| £ | Pound currency | Alt+0163 |
| ¢ | Cent sign | Alt+0162 |
| ¥ | Yen currency | Alt+0165 |
| § | Section sign | Alt+0167 |
| ¶ | Pilcrow (paragraph mark) | Alt+0182 |
| • | Bullet | Alt+0149 |
| – | En dash | Alt+0150 |
| — | Em dash | Alt+0151 |
Limitations and Things to Avoid With Alt Codes
Alt codes do not work on the number row
Typing Alt+0169 using the number keys above the letter keys produces no result. The numeric keypad is required. If your keyboard lacks one, use the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows, which has a numeric keypad mode.
Some codes produce different symbols in different fonts
Alt codes rely on the current font in Word. A symbol may appear correctly in Calibri but show as a blank box in a font that does not support that character. If the symbol does not appear, change the font to a Unicode-compliant font like Arial, Segoe UI, or Times New Roman.
Codes above 255 require a leading zero
For extended symbols like the Euro sign (€), you must type Alt+0128, not Alt+128. Omitting the leading zero inserts a different character or does nothing. Always use four digits for reliable results.
Laptop users must enable the embedded numeric keypad
Many laptops have number keys embedded in the right side of the keyboard, typically on the keys 7, 8, 9, U, I, O, J, K, L, and M. Press Fn+NumLock or Fn+F11 (depending on the model) to activate this embedded keypad. The keys then act as a numeric keypad while the Fn key is held.
Alt Code Shortcuts vs Word AutoCorrect vs Symbol Dialog
| Item | Alt Code Shortcut | Word AutoCorrect | Symbol Dialog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast after memorization | Very fast for common symbols | Slow — requires multiple clicks |
| Memory required | Must remember numeric codes | Must remember text replacements | No memorization needed |
| Customization | Cannot change codes | Fully customizable | Can assign custom shortcuts |
| Works outside Word | Yes, in most Windows apps | No, Word only | No |
| Best for | Symbols used daily in any app | Symbols used in Word only | Rare or one-time use |
You can now insert common symbols like ©, ®, ™, °, and € using Alt codes in Word without opening any dialog. For symbols you use every day, memorize the code and type it in seconds. For less frequent symbols, use the Symbol dialog or Character Map to look up the code. To go further, set up Word AutoCorrect entries for symbols you type often — for example, configure (c) to autocorrect to © automatically.