How to insert degree symbol using keyboard?

Sometimes we may want to insert degree symbol (superscripted O) to represent geographic or temperature data rather than using the word ‘degrees’. Inserting degree symbol is not that easy because such type of characters are not redly available on a keyboard. So knowing how to insert the degree symbol is very useful and help to reduce the time required for data formatting.

The simplest method to enter degree notation is by copying it from other documents or web page. But it is not always practical because we have to spare time to find out similar notations in the document or on the Web.

Using shortcut key is the best alternative to enter such special characters (every character and symbol have a unique shortcut key associated with it).

Let us see how to enter degree symbol using a keyboard. Before that confirm what type of keyboard you have.

If the keyboard you are using is a standard full size one, then things are easy. Just press and hold the Alt key and then type shortcut key of the degree symbol (°) i.e., 0176.

if the keyboard is a compressed one (without a number keypad), then press hold both Function key (FN) and Alt key and then type shortcut key of degree symbol (°) i.e., 0176.

Combination keys to enter degree symbol

Other options to enter degree symbol:

1. Use Microsoft Word
2. Use Character Map dialog

1. Using  Microsoft Word

1. Open a new  Microsoft Word file. Enter degree values and place the cursor at desired location to enter degree notation
2. In the Insert menu, Click on More Symbols under Symbol drop down list (indicated by an Omega symbol and located at the right most side of the insert menu) 

   

   Insert menu in Microsoft Word shows 'Symbol' drop-down list
3. From the Symbol dialog set font to ‘Arial’.
4. Scroll the vertical scroll bar to locate the icon.
5. Select the symbol will highlight it in blue and shortcut key will be shown under it as Alt+0176
6. Click insert to insert the symbol or desired location

   

   Symbol dialog shows selected symbol and its corresponding shortcut key value

2. Character Map dialog

Character Map dialog can be accessed by searching in the startup search box or in using  the Run dialog.

1. In the Startup Search box type ‘Ch…’ will display Character Map in the menu or open Run dialog (use shortcut key Window + R) and enter 'Charmap'.
   
   

   

   Search box shows search result for keyword 'Ch...'
   
   

   

   Run dialog shows search word 'charmap' to open Character Map

2. In the Character Map dialog, either directly select the symbol from the list by double clicking on the symbol or use Advanced checkbox
3. Check the Advance checkbox will expand the dialog and shows ‘Search for…’
   

   

   Character Map shows degree symbol and search box
4. Type ‘degree’ key work in the box and click Search to locate the symbol (only the symbol match with the search keyword will be displayed)
5. Double click on the symbol will display it in the ‘Character to copy…’ box click Copy it to clipboard
6. Go to the desired location and use Ctrl + V to paste the symbol
   
   

   

   Character Map shows search result of keyword 'degree'
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