Whether you’re creating a school report, writing a business document, preparing a math assignment, or working on technical content, there will be times when you need to insert special symbols into your document. Common examples include copyright symbols, trademark symbols, currency signs, mathematical operators, arrows, fractions, and Greek letters.
If you’re using WPS Office, adding these symbols is simple. The software includes a built-in Symbol feature that lets you browse and insert hundreds of special characters. It also supports several keyboard shortcuts that can save time when you frequently use certain symbols.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to insert symbols in WPS Office without shortcuts, followed by the fastest methods for adding symbols using keyboard shortcuts.
How to Insert Symbols in WPS Office? (Without Shortcuts)
The easiest way to insert symbols in WPS Writer is through the Symbol library. This method works well when you don’t know a shortcut or when you need a less common symbol that isn’t available directly from your keyboard.
The Symbol library contains hundreds of characters from different fonts and categories. You can find mathematical symbols, currency symbols, punctuation marks, arrows, accented letters, Greek characters, and many other special symbols.
Let’s walk through the complete process step by step.
Step 1: Open Your WPS Office Document
Start by launching WPS Office and opening the document where you want to insert a symbol. This can be a new document or an existing one.
Once the document opens, click inside the text area where the symbol should appear.
Step 2: Access the Insert Tab
After positioning your cursor, look at the ribbon located near the top of the WPS Office window.
Click the Insert tab. This section contains tools that allow you to add different elements to your document, including tables, pictures, shapes, charts, hyperlinks, and symbols.
When the Insert tab opens, you’ll see a collection of commands. Locate the option labeled Symbol. Depending on your WPS Office version, it may appear directly on the ribbon or inside a related menu.
This area is where you’ll access all available special characters.
Step 3: Open the Symbol Window
Click the Symbol button to open the symbol selection window.
A new dialog box will appear, displaying numerous symbols and special characters. You’ll notice that symbols are organized according to different font sets and character groups.
The available choices may include copyright signs, registered trademark symbols, mathematical operators, Greek letters, fractions, arrows, and many other commonly used characters.
Spend a few moments exploring the available options. You can scroll through the list to locate the exact symbol you need.
Step 4: Select the Symbol You Want
Once you find the desired symbol, click on it.
The selected symbol becomes highlighted inside the dialog box. Before inserting it, you can review it carefully to make sure it’s the correct character.
This step is particularly important when working with similar-looking symbols. For example, certain mathematical operators and currency symbols can appear almost identical at first glance.
Taking an extra second to confirm your selection can help prevent formatting mistakes later.
Step 5: Insert the Symbol into Your Document
After selecting the symbol, click the Insert button.
WPS Office immediately places the chosen symbol at the cursor location inside your document. You can continue inserting additional symbols without closing the dialog box.
This feature is useful if you’re creating technical documents, engineering reports, academic papers, or financial documents that require multiple special characters.
When you’re finished adding symbols, click Close to return to your document.
Step 6: Format the Symbol if Necessary
After inserting a symbol, you can format it just like normal text.
You can change the font size, font style, bold formatting, or text color using the standard formatting tools in WPS Office.
How to Insert Symbols in WPS Office with Shortcuts?
Using shortcuts is often the fastest way to insert frequently used symbols. Instead of opening the Symbol dialog box every time, you can enter a keyboard combination and instantly create the character.
Here are some commonly used shortcuts that work in WPS Office on Windows.
| Symbol | Shortcut |
| © Copyright | Alt + 0169 |
| ® Registered | Alt + 0174 |
| ™ Trademark | Alt + 0153 |
| ° Degree | Alt + 0176 |
| ± Plus Minus | Alt + 0177 |
| µ Micro | Alt + 0181 |
| ÷ Division | Alt + 0247 |
| × Multiplication | Alt + 0215 |
| £ Pound | Alt + 0163 |
| ¥ Yen | Alt + 0165 |
| € Euro | Alt + 0128 |
To use these shortcuts, make sure Num Lock is enabled on your keyboard. Hold the Alt key and type the corresponding numeric code using the numeric keypad.
When you release the Alt key, WPS Office automatically inserts the symbol.
For example, if you want the copyright symbol, hold Alt, type 0169, and then release Alt. The © symbol immediately appears in your document.
If you’re working on business documents, product descriptions, technical manuals, or academic papers, learning a few commonly used shortcuts can significantly improve your workflow.
Another useful approach is to use the AutoCorrect feature. Some versions of WPS Office automatically convert certain character combinations into symbols. This can further speed up document creation.
Additional Tips
If you regularly use the same symbols, consider memorizing the shortcuts you use most often. Even learning three or four frequently used codes can save a considerable amount of time.
Keep Num Lock enabled when using Alt codes. Without it, the shortcuts may not work correctly.
If a shortcut does not produce the expected result, check whether your keyboard includes a dedicated numeric keypad. Some compact laptop keyboards require the use of a function key to access numeric input.
For specialized symbols such as Greek letters, scientific notation, or engineering symbols, the Symbol dialog box usually offers a larger selection than keyboard shortcuts.
When creating professional documents, maintain consistent symbol formatting throughout the file. Matching font size and style helps improve readability and gives your document a polished appearance.
FAQs
Why can’t I insert symbols using Alt codes in WPS Office?
In most cases, Num Lock is disabled, or the numeric keypad is not being used. Make sure Num Lock is turned on and enter the code using the numeric keypad.
Yes. WPS Office includes a Symbol feature within the Insert tab that provides access to hundreds of special characters and symbols.
Can I insert mathematical symbols in WPS Office?
Yes. The Symbol library contains numerous mathematical operators, equations, fractions, and scientific symbols.
Are symbol shortcuts the same as those in Microsoft Word?
Many Alt code shortcuts work similarly in both WPS Office and Microsoft Word because they rely on Windows character codes.
Can I change the size of inserted symbols?
Yes. Symbols behave like normal text characters, allowing you to modify their size, font, color, and formatting.
Summary
Knowing how to insert symbols in WPS Office with shortcuts can make document creation much faster and more efficient. While the built-in Symbol tool provides access to hundreds of special characters, keyboard shortcuts offer the quickest solution for commonly used symbols such as copyright signs, trademark marks, currency symbols, and mathematical operators.
For beginners, starting with the Insert > Symbol method is usually the easiest approach. Once you’re comfortable with the process, learning a few frequently used Alt code shortcuts can help you work more efficiently and save valuable time. By combining both methods, you’ll be able to add virtually any symbol you need while creating professional-looking documents in WPS Office.