How To Easily Add Degree Symbol In Excel

6 min read 11-15-2024

How To Easily Add Degree Symbol In Excel

To add a degree symbol (°) in Excel effortlessly can be a useful feature when you're working with temperatures, angles, or even in mathematical contexts. This guide will walk you through the various methods for inserting the degree symbol in Excel, ensuring that your documents are clear and professionally formatted.

Understanding the Degree Symbol

The degree symbol is a small raised circle that represents degrees of arc, temperature, and angles. Whether you’re entering temperature readings or geometric data, the degree symbol plays a vital role in conveying the correct information. Here are some quick facts about the degree symbol:

Unicode: The Unicode for the degree symbol is U+00B0.
Common Uses: It’s typically used to express temperatures (like 25°C) and angles (like 90°).

Methods to Insert the Degree Symbol in Excel

1. Using Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest way to insert the degree symbol in Excel is through a keyboard shortcut. Here’s how to do it:

Windows: Hold down the ALT key and type 0176 on your numeric keypad.
Mac: Press Option + Shift + 8.

Make sure that Num Lock is turned on for the numeric keypad when using the Windows method.

2. Using the Symbol Menu

Another effective way to add the degree symbol is through the Symbol menu. Follow these steps:

Open Excel: Launch your Excel application.
Insert Tab: Navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
Symbol: Click on the Symbol button on the right side of the Ribbon.
Find the Degree Symbol: In the Symbol dialog box, set the font to any standard font, like Arial or Times New Roman. Then, scroll to find the degree symbol or type 00B0 in the "Character code" box.
Insert: Once you find the degree symbol, select it and click on the Insert button.

3. Copy and Paste

If you find it easier, you can simply copy the degree symbol (°) from another source and paste it into your Excel cell. Just make sure you get it from a reliable source!

4. Using Excel Functions

If you're looking for a programmatic way to include the degree symbol, you can use Excel formulas. Here’s how to do it:

=CONCATENATE(A1, CHAR(176))

or, in Excel 2016 and later, you can use the TEXTJOIN function as follows:

=TEXTJOIN("", TRUE, A1, CHAR(176))

In both formulas, replace A1 with the cell reference that contains your numeric value. The CHAR(176) function returns the degree symbol.

5. Formatting Numbers

If you're working with a column of temperatures or angles, you can format your numbers to include the degree symbol automatically:

Select the cells you want to format.
Right-click and choose Format Cells.
Go to the Number tab and select Custom.
In the Type box, enter 0"°" (or 0.0"°" for decimal places).
Click OK.

This will allow Excel to display the degree symbol after any number in the selected cells.

Tips for Using the Degree Symbol in Excel

Accessibility: Always use a method that fits your needs; for instance, keyboard shortcuts are fast, but the Symbol menu can help if you’re unsure.
Document Consistency: If you're creating a report, ensure that you use the same method throughout for consistency.
Shortcuts for Other Symbols: Remember that Excel supports many special symbols, so explore other useful symbols using the same methods above.

Conclusion

Adding the degree symbol in Excel is a simple yet crucial task that can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your work. Whether you prefer keyboard shortcuts, the Symbol menu, or Excel functions, there’s an option for everyone. This guide provides several methods to meet your specific needs.

By mastering these techniques, you'll be well-equipped to handle temperatures, angles, and other measurements in your Excel spreadsheets. Happy spreadsheeting! 📊✨