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How to Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel Easily

John Michaloudis
Have you ever needed to insert the copyright symbol (©) in an Excel spreadsheet and found yourself wondering how to do it quickly and efficiently? I’ve been there, and after exploring a few options, I’ve compiled the best methods to insert the copyright symbol into your Excel workbook.
Let me walk you through the process step by step.

Have you ever needed to insert the copyright symbol (©) in an Excel spreadsheet and found yourself wondering how to do it quickly and efficiently? I’ve been there, and after exploring a few options, I’ve compiled the best methods to insert the copyright symbol into your Excel workbook. Let me walk you through the process step by step.

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn various ways to insert the copyright symbol (©) in Excel, including shortcuts, formulas, and dialog boxes.
  • Use Alt + 0169 on Windows or Option + G on Mac to insert the symbol directly into a cell.
  • Navigate to the Insert tab, access the Symbol option, and select the copyright symbol from the dialog box.
  • Use the formula =CHAR(169) to dynamically insert the copyright symbol or combine it with text for enhanced versatility.
  • Copy-paste the symbol from reliable sources or use tools like the Windows Character Map for precise symbol insertion.

 

Introduction to Copyright Symbols in Excel

Importance of Using Copyright Symbols in Spreadsheets

The inclusion of copyright symbols in spreadsheets is a critical practice, particularly for those of us who create original content within Excel. Whether designing a template, constructing a dashboard, or compiling important business reports, utilizing the copyright symbol signifies the legal protections of my intellectual work.

It adds a level of professionalism and puts others on notice that the material I’ve composed is not just another piece of data but is safeguarded by copyright law.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Fast Entry

Using the Alt Code in Excel

Inserting the copyright symbol in Excel is a breeze when we use the ALT code shortcut. Here’s the deal: select a cell where we want the symbol, then hold down the ALT key and type ‘0169’ on the numeric keypad – yes, it’s crucial that we use the keypad because the regular number keys won’t work for this.

Once we release the ALT key, voilà, the symbol appears like magic.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Just ensure that we’ve turned the num lock on; otherwise, this trick won’t work. If we’re working on a device without a numeric keypad, this particular shortcut won’t be accessible, and we’ll need to explore other methods.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Shortcut Keys for Mac Users

For those of us navigating Excel on a Mac, fret not—there’s a specific shortcut for you too. We don’t have ALT codes like on a Windows machine, but we can effortlessly type the copyright symbol by using the keyboard command Option + G.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

This handy shortcut serves as a quick and seamless way to insert the symbol into any cell within Excel.

Just make sure to hit these keys simultaneously and watch the copyright symbol appear in the cell where the cursor resides. It’s a nifty little shortcut that fits perfectly into the flow of our work without the need for navigating through additional menus.

 

Utilizing the Symbol Dialog Box

Step-by-Step Process to Access and Use the Symbol Dialog Box

To insert special characters in Excel, such as the copyright symbol, utilizing the Symbol dialog box is quite efficient. Let me guide you through:

STEP 1: Firstly, position my cursor in the cell where the symbol needs to appear.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 2: Next, I go to the Ribbon, and click on the ‘Insert’ tab to reveal a slew of options.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 3: Within this tab, I find and click on the ‘Symbol’ button.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 4: A dialog box springs open, showcasing two tabs: ‘Symbols’ and ‘Special Characters’. Here, I’m looking for the ‘Special Characters’ tab.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 5: Amongst various characters, I spot the copyright symbol. Double-clicking on it or selecting it then hitting ‘Insert’ will put the symbol right into my Excel cell.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 6: Finally, with the symbol now in place, I close the dialog box by clicking ‘Close’.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Building a Formula to Get the Copyright Symbol

Excel formulas are incredibly powerful, and for inserting special characters, they are pretty handy too. To get the copyright symbol using a formula, follow these steps:

STEP 1: First, I click on the cell where I want the symbol to appear.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 2: In the formula bar, I type =CHAR(169). The number 169 is the specific code that corresponds to the copyright symbol in Excel.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 3: After pressing Enter, the symbol should manifest right there in the cell.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Moreover, if I want to include this symbol next to existing text in another cell, let’s say cell A1 contains the phrase “My Work”, I can craft a formula like =A1 & " " & CHAR(169). This concatenates the text from A1 with a space and the symbol, creating a neat “My Work ©” in the cell where the formula is placed.

This method not only saves clicks but also allows me to dynamically insert symbols based on other cell contents.

 

Copy-Paste Method: A Universal Solution

How to Copy the Copyright Symbol from the Web

When the usual methods aren’t accessible, copying the copyright symbol from the web is a straightforward alternative. Here’s how I do it:

STEP 1: I first locate a reliable website using my preferred internet browser where the symbol is displayed.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 2: Then, I simply highlight the copyright symbol with my mouse or trackpad.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 3: With the symbol selected, I right-click and choose ‘Copy’ from the context menu, or I use the shortcut Ctrl + C (Cmd + C on Mac) to copy the symbol to the clipboard.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 4: From here, I’m ready to paste it into my Excel spreadsheet.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Remember, it’s crucial to ensure that the web source is reliable and that the symbol is correctly displayed to prevent the insertion of incorrect characters.

 

Character Map and ASCII or Unicode Techniques

Inserting Symbols with the Character Map App in Windows

The Character Map app in Windows is like a secret weapon for inserting symbols that are not readily available on the keyboard. Here’s how I typically use it for Excel:

STEP 1: In the Windows search bar, I search for ‘Character Map’ and open the application.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 2: To narrow down my search, I enable the ‘Advanced View’ checkbox, revealing additional search options.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 3: I type ‘Copyright’ into the search box and press ‘Enter’, which conveniently filters the available symbols. Among the search results, I locate the copyright symbol and double-click it, which places it into the ‘Characters to copy’ field.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

STEP 4: Then, I simply click ‘Copy’ to transfer the symbol to my clipboard. From there, jumping back into Excel, I paste it into the desired cell.

Insert Copyright Symbol in Excel

Using the Character Map ensures that I have access to all kinds of symbols and can insert them into my Excel sheet with the precision of a seasoned pro.

 

FAQs

How do I enter a copyright symbol in Excel?

To enter a copyright symbol in Excel, I can use a quick keyboard shortcut: I hold down the Alt key and type 0169 on the numeric keypad, then release the Alt key. If I’m on a Mac, I press Option + G. Alternatively, I insert it from the Symbol dialog box by going to the Insert tab, clicking Symbol, and selecting the copyright symbol from the list. Another method includes typing (c) in a cell and hitting the spacebar, which automatically converts to the symbol.

What is the Alt code for the copyright symbol?

The Alt code for the copyright symbol is 0169. To use it, I press and hold the Alt key, then type 0169 on the numeric keypad and release the Alt key to insert the symbol into my Excel document.

Can you use Excel formulas to insert special characters?

Yes, I can use Excel formulas to insert special characters. The CHAR function is particularly useful for this; for example, typing =CHAR(169) in a cell and pressing Enter will insert the copyright symbol.

How do you type ✔ in Excel?

To type a checkmark (✔) in Excel, I can use the CHAR function with the appropriate number code. If I type =CHAR(252) or =CHAR(10003) into a cell and hit Enter, it will insert a checkmark, provided that I’m using a font like Wingdings (for CHAR(252)) or a standard font for CHAR(10003).

How do you insert the RS symbol in Excel?

To insert the Indian Rupee (₹ or RS) symbol in Excel, I use the keyboard shortcut Alt+8377 if I have a numeric keypad. Alternatively, I can find and insert it from the Symbol dialog box in Excel under the ‘Currency Symbols’ subset, or I can use the CHAR formula with the code =CHAR(8377) if using a font that supports the symbol.

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Founder & Chief Inspirational Officer

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John Michaloudis is a former accountant and finance analyst at General Electric, a Microsoft MVP since 2020, an Amazon #1 bestselling author of 4 Microsoft Excel books and teacher of Microsoft Excel & Office over at his flagship MyExcelOnline Academy Online Course.

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