Microsoft Word and Excel are essential tools within the Microsoft Office suite, and their most recent versions have gained enhanced online capabilities that make them even more effective for collaboration. These updates have positioned Word and Excel among the best online collaboration tools for team-based document editing and data sharing.
A common query among users is how to insert tick or cross symbols into a document or spreadsheet, symbols that aren’t readily available on a standard keyboard.
The good news is that adding these symbols is straightforward. Whether you prefer using copy-and-paste, navigating the Symbol menu, utilizing the modern Emoji picker, or setting up Excel automation, this guide outlines the most effective methods for inserting tick and cross symbols.
The good news is that adding these symbols is straightforward. Whether you prefer using copy-and-paste, navigating the Symbol menu, utilizing the modern Emoji picker, or setting up Excel automation, this guide outlines the most effective methods for inserting tick and cross symbols.
Here are the best ways to insert ticks and crosses, ranked from the simplest to the most advanced.
Option 1: The modern way – Using the emoji picker (Windows & Mac)
The fastest way to insert a tick or cross in modern versions of Word and Excel (as well as Word for the Web) is via the operating system's built-in emoji panel. This does not require changing fonts.
On Windows:
- Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
- Hold down the Windows Key and press . (full stop).
- Type "check" or "cross" in the search bar.
- Select the symbol you prefer (✅, ❌, ✔️, ✖️).
On Mac:
- Press Control + Command + Space.
- This opens the Character Viewer; simply search for "check" or "mark" to insert the symbol.
Option 2: Copy and paste from the symbols below
If you are on an older system or just need a quick fix, you can copy and paste the symbol directly from this article.
Ticks: ✓ ✔ ☑ ✅
Crosses: ✕ ✖ ✗ ✘
This works across all versions of Word and Excel and is especially handy for one-off insertions.
Option 3: Insert a tick or a cross using the Symbol menu
You can use the built-in Symbol menu to access specific font-based characters (like the classic Wingdings style).
- Click the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.
- Select Symbol, then click More Symbols from the dropdown.
- In the Font dropdown, choose Wingdings (or Wingdings 2).
- Scroll to the bottom of the list to find the tick or cross symbol.
- Click Insert, then Close.
Option 4: Insert using Character Codes (Alt Codes)
If you have a keyboard with a numeric keypad, you can use "Alt codes." This is highly efficient for power users. Note: You must change your font to Wingdings for these specific codes to work.
- Set your font to Wingdings.
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type the following numbers on your number pad (not the top row numbers):
- Alt + 0252: ü (Standard Tick)
- Alt + 0254: þ (Boxed Tick)
- Alt + 0251: û (Standard Cross)
- Alt + 0253: ý (Boxed Cross)
- Release the Alt key, and the symbol will appear.
Option 5:Built-in keyboard shortcuts (Wingdings 2)
Word and Excel have mapped specific keys to symbols if you switch your font to Wingdings 2.
- Change your font to Wingdings 2.
- Press Shift + P to insert a Tick (✓).
- Press Shift + O to insert a Cross (✗).
- Press Shift + R to insert a Tick in a box.
- Press Shift + Q to insert a Cross in a box.
Option 6: Use AutoCorrect to automate the process
You can teach Word or Excel to automatically replace a typed code (like "mycheck") with a symbol.
- Open the Symbol menu (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols).
- Select the tick or cross you want to use.
- Click the AutoCorrect... button at the bottom left.
- In the "Replace" box, type a shorthand code (e.g., chk or no).
- Ensure the "With" box contains your selected symbol.
- Click Add, then OK.
Now, whenever you type chk and press space, it will instantly convert to a tick.
Option 7: Conditional formatting (Excel exclusive)
Manually typing ticks in Excel is often inefficient. It is better to have Excel automatically display a tick or cross based on the data in the cell (e.g., if a project is 100% complete).
- Highlight the column of numbers (e.g., 1 for yes, 0 for no).
- Go to the Home tab and click Conditional Formatting.
- Hover over Icon Sets and choose the set with the Tick and Cross indicators.
- To hide the numbers and only show the icons, go to Conditional Formatting > Manage Rules > Edit Rule and check the box that says Show Icon Only.
Option 8: Using 'Insert Icons' (Microsoft 365)
For a more polished, graphic design look, Microsoft 365 users can insert scalable vector icons rather than font characters.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Click Icons.
- In the search bar, type "Tick" or "Cross."
- Select the design you like and click Insert.
- Because these are graphics, you can resize them without pixelation and change their color using the Graphics Format tab.
Summary
We've covered eight methods for inserting tick and cross symbols, ranging from the classic Alt codes to modern Emoji panels and Excel automation.
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.
