How to insert a check mark or tick symbol in Excel?

To insert a check mark in Excel, use the Symbol dialog box by selecting Wingdings font and choosing character 252 (✓) or 254 (✔). 2. Use the keyboard shortcut Alt 0252 or Alt 0254 on the numeric keypad, ensuring the cell is formatted in Wingdings. 3. Use the CHAR(252) function in a formula and format the cell with Wingdings font to dynamically display check marks, such as within an IF statement. 4. Copy and paste a check mark symbol (✓ or ✔) directly into a cell, adjusting the font if necessary for proper display. 5. For advanced use, apply conditional formatting with Icon Sets to show check marks based on cell values or combine with data validation for visual indicators. The easiest method is using Alt 0252 with Wingdings font or the Insert > Symbol option, while CHAR() is ideal for automated workflows.

Inserting a check mark (or tick symbol) in Excel is useful for creating to-do lists, status indicators, or approval tracking. There are several ways to do it, depending on your needs and version of Excel. Here’s how:

1. Use the Symbol Dialog Box

This method inserts an actual check mark character into a cell.

1. Click on the cell where you want the check mark.
2. Go to the Insert tab.
3. Click Symbol (in the Symbols group).
4. In the dialog box:
   • Set the font to Wingdings.
   • Scroll down and select the check mark symbol (✓).
   • Click Insert, then Close.

Note: The check mark in Wingdings is character code 252 (✓) or 254 (✔). You can also type the code and then format the cell with Wingdings font.

2. Type the Check Mark Using Keyboard Shortcut

You can use a keyboard shortcut if you know the character code.

• Make sure Num Lock is on.
• Hold down Alt.
• On the numeric keypad, type 0252 for a plain check mark (✓) or 0254 for a bolder one (✔).
• Release Alt.

Important: You must use the numeric keypad, not the numbers above the letters. And the cell must be formatted with the Wingdings font for the symbol to display correctly.

3. Use CHAR Function with Wingdings Font

You can use a formula to insert a check mark dynamically.

• In a cell, enter:
  =CHAR(252)
• Then change the cell’s font to Wingdings.

This is helpful if you want to conditionally display check marks using formulas (e.g., with IF statements).

Example:
=IF(A1="Done", CHAR(252), "")
Then format the cell with Wingdings font to show a check mark when A1 says "Done".

4. Copy and Paste a Check Mark

The quickest way for one-time use:

• Copy this symbol: ✓ or ✔
• Paste it directly into an Excel cell.

You can then format the cell with a suitable font (like Arial, Segoe UI Symbol, or Wingdings) to ensure it displays properly.

Tip: Some fonts render check marks better than others. If pasting from the web, you may need to adjust the font.

5. Use Conditional Formatting with Check Marks (Advanced)

For a more visual approach, combine check marks with conditional formatting or data validation:

• Set up a dropdown with "Yes"/"No" using Data Validation.
• Use a formula in a neighboring column to return a check mark (via CHAR and Wingdings).
• Or use conditional formatting with icons (like checkmarks) via Icon Sets under the Conditional Formatting menu.

Go to:
Home → Conditional Formatting → Icon Sets → Choose a set with checkmarks (e.g., green check / red X).

Basically, the easiest way is Alt 0252 (with Wingdings font), or using Insert > Symbol. For automation, use CHAR(252) with proper formatting. Pick the method that fits your workflow.

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