The fastest way to add a check mark depends on which program you're using

A check mark (✓) is not on your keyboard, so you cannot type it the way you type a letter. In Microsoft Word and Excel, the simplest route is the Insert menu. In Google Docs, you use a keyboard shortcut or the Insert menu. Each method takes under a minute once you know where to look, and the check mark stays in your document exactly where you put it.

The method you choose matters because some approaches work in one program but not another, and some create a symbol that looks like a check mark but behaves differently when you edit or print the document. This guide walks you through the real steps in each program, starting with the fastest option for each.

Key Takeaways

  • In Word and Excel, go to Insert > Symbol, search for "check mark", and click the one you want to insert it into your document.
  • In Google Docs, press Ctrl+Cmd+U (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+U (Windows) followed by 2713 and Enter to type a check mark directly.
  • A check mark from the Symbol menu stays in place when you edit or print, unlike some workarounds that use fonts or formatting tricks.
  • If you need many check marks, create a keyboard shortcut so you can type it as fast as a regular character.

Adding a check mark in Microsoft Word

Open your Word document and click where you want the check mark to appear. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the screen, then click Symbol on the right side of the ribbon. A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom.

A dialog box opens. In the search field at the bottom, type "check mark" and press Enter. The box shows you several versions of the check mark symbol. Click the one you prefer (the standard solid check mark is usually the first result), then click Insert. Close the dialog and the check mark appears in your document at the cursor position.

If you use check marks often in Word, you can create a shortcut so you do not have to open the Symbol menu each time. In the same Symbol dialog, click the check mark you want, then look for the Shortcut Key button. Click it and assign a keyboard combination (like Ctrl+Shift+C), then click Assign. From then on, you can type that combination to insert the check mark when ready.

Adding a check mark in Microsoft Excel

The process in Excel is identical to Word. Click the cell where you want the check mark, go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, search for "check mark", select the one you want, and click Insert. The check mark appears in the cell.

One difference: in Excel, you might want the check mark to replace the cell content rather than sit alongside text. If so, click the cell, delete any existing content, then insert the check mark. The cell now shows only the symbol. You can format it the same way you format text — change the font size, color, or alignment.

Adding a check mark in Google Docs

Google Docs has a keyboard shortcut that is faster than the menu route. Position your cursor where you want the check mark. On a Windows computer, hold Ctrl and Shift, then press U. Type 2713 (the Unicode code for a check mark), then press Enter or Space. The check mark appears when ready.

On a Mac, the shortcut is Ctrl+Cmd+U instead of Ctrl+Shift+U. Type 2713 and press Enter. The result is the same.

If you prefer the menu route, click Insert at the top, then Special characters. Search for "check mark" and click the one you want. It inserts into your document when ready. The keyboard shortcut is faster once you memorize it, but the menu works if you forget the code.

Why the Symbol menu is better than other methods

You might see information online to use a font like Wingdings or to type a lowercase "a" and format it as a symbol font. These methods create a check mark that looks right on screen, but they cause problems when you edit the document later or print it. The symbol menu inserts a true check mark character that stays correct no matter what you do to the document afterward.

A true check mark character also copies correctly if someone else opens your document, whereas a Wingdings workaround might show as a letter or symbol on their computer if they do not have that font installed. The Symbol menu avoids all of this.

Creating a keyboard shortcut for repeated use

If you insert check marks regularly, setting up a shortcut saves time. In Word and Excel, you can assign a keyboard combination to the check mark symbol itself (as described above). In Google Docs, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+U, 2713 every time, or you can create a custom shortcut in your operating system settings.

On Windows, you can use AutoCorrect to replace a short text string with a check mark. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then type a shortcut (like ":check") in the Replace field and insert a check mark in the With field. From then on, typing ":check" and pressing Space replaces it with a check mark. Google Docs does not have this feature built in, but you can use browser extensions or operating system tools to achieve the same result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a check mark from one document and paste it into another?

Yes. Select the check mark, copy it (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C), and paste it (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) into any other document in any program. The check mark pastes as a true character, so it works the same way in the new location.

Why does my check mark look different in print than on screen?

This usually happens when you used a font workaround instead of the Symbol menu. If you inserted a true check mark from the Symbol menu, it should print exactly as it appears on screen. If it does not, check that your printer has the font installed, or try printing to PDF first to see if the problem is the printer or the document.

Can I make a check mark bigger or smaller?

Yes. Select the check mark and change the font size the same way you would for text. In Word and Excel, highlight it and use the font size dropdown. In Google Docs, select it and use the font size menu. The check mark scales with the text size.

What if I need a different style of check mark?

The Symbol menu shows several versions — a solid check mark, a hollow one, a heavy one, and others. Click the one that matches what you need. If none of them look right, search for "ballot" or "tick" in the Symbol menu to see related characters.

Does the check mark work in Google Sheets the same way as Google Docs?

The keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+U, 2713 on Windows) works in Sheets the same way it works in Docs. The Insert menu route also works. The check mark inserts into a cell just as it does in a document.