Short answer: Google Sheets has no “Insert → Special characters” menu like Google Docs does. The two reliable ways to add a symbol are to paste it in, or generate it with a formula — type =UNICHAR(176) for a degree sign, =UNICHAR(10004) for a check mark, and so on. Grab a common one below.
If you’ve gone hunting through the Sheets menus for a special-characters picker and come up empty, you’re not missing it — it genuinely isn’t there. Here’s what to use instead, whatever device you’re on.
Why there’s no “Insert Special Characters” in Sheets
The special-characters picker is a Google Docs feature, not a Sheets one. Spreadsheets are built around values and formulas, so Sheets gives you a better tool for the job: a function that turns a Unicode number into a character. That, plus plain copy-paste and your device’s built-in symbol picker, covers everything.
Method 1: Copy and paste (fastest for one-offs)
Copy the symbol — from the box above, from a Google Doc, or from any web page — and paste it into the cell. It works on every platform, including the mobile app, and the symbol lands as text. This is the quickest route when you just need a ° or a ✓ once or twice.
Method 2: The =UNICHAR() formula (best for accuracy and reuse)
=UNICHAR(number) returns the character for a Unicode code point written in decimal. For example, =UNICHAR(8594) produces a right arrow →.
To attach a symbol to text or a value, join it with &:
="25"&UNICHAR(176)&"C" → 25°C
Find a symbol’s number with =UNICODE()
To go the other way, =UNICODE("✓") returns 10003. Type or paste any character inside the quotes and Sheets gives you its decimal code point — which you can feed straight back into =UNICHAR().
CHAR vs UNICHAR
The older =CHAR(number) function behaves the same way in Sheets for most characters, but UNICHAR is the clearer choice and the one to reach for. Either way, remember one thing: a cell holding =UNICHAR(176) contains text, so you can’t sum it as a number. (See “Keep numbers as numbers” below for the fix.)
Method 3: Type symbols directly, by device
If you’d rather type a symbol than paste or build a formula, use your operating system’s built-in picker. What’s available depends on your device.
Windows: the emoji & symbol picker (Win + .)
With your cursor in a cell, press Windows key + . (period) — or Win + ;. The emoji and symbol panel opens; switch to the Ω Symbols tab to find arrows, currency, math signs, and more, then click one to drop it in. It inserts straight into the Sheets cell in Chrome and Edge on Windows 11.
Why Alt codes usually fail here: the numpad Alt codes that work in Word are unreliable in the browser version of Sheets — most simply don’t register. So on Windows, use the Win + . picker, copy-paste, or UNICHAR rather than Alt codes. (Why Alt codes don’t work.)
Mac: Option shortcuts and the Character Viewer
While typing inside a cell, a handful of US-layout Option shortcuts work:
Option + 8 → •
Shift + Option + 8 → °
Option + V → √(These are US-keyboard combos; the exact key varies on other layouts.) For everything else, press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search the symbol by name, and double-click to insert it.
Chromebook
Copy-paste and UNICHAR formulas always work. For a keyboard route, open the ChromeOS emoji & symbol picker: right-click inside the cell and choose Emoji & symbols, or press Launcher (Search) + Shift + Space. (More on Chromebook symbols.)
Linux
In a browser, copy-paste and =UNICHAR() are the dependable methods. Desktop Unicode entry (hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type the hex code, then Enter) works in many GTK apps but is inconsistent inside the Sheets cell editor, so don’t rely on it there.
The Google Sheets mobile app
Use your phone keyboard’s symbols layout, or press-and-hold a key — on many keyboards, holding 0 gives °. You can also paste a copied symbol. UNICHAR formulas work in the app exactly as they do on desktop.
Keep numbers as numbers: the degree trick
If you want a cell to read 25°C but still total 25 in a sum, don’t type the degree as text. Instead apply a custom format:
Format → Number → Custom number format, then enter:
0"°C"The cell displays 25°C while the underlying value stays a usable number. (Same idea as the degree symbol in Excel.)
Two formulas worth stealing
Auto status column — show a check or cross based on a value:
=IF(A2>0, UNICHAR(10004), UNICHAR(10007)) → ✔ or ✗Star ratings — repeat a star N times:
=REPT(UNICHAR(9733), A2) → ★★★★ (for A2 = 4)Common symbols for spreadsheets
| Symbol | Name | Formula | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|
| ° | Degree | =UNICHAR(176) | U+00B0 |
| ± | Plus-minus | =UNICHAR(177) | U+00B1 |
| × | Multiply | =UNICHAR(215) | U+00D7 |
| √ | Square root | =UNICHAR(8730) | U+221A |
| ✓ | Check mark | =UNICHAR(10003) | U+2713 |
| ✔ | Heavy check | =UNICHAR(10004) | U+2714 |
| ✗ | Cross | =UNICHAR(10007) | U+2717 |
| → | Right arrow | =UNICHAR(8594) | U+2192 |
| ↑ | Up arrow | =UNICHAR(8593) | U+2191 |
| ↓ | Down arrow | =UNICHAR(8595) | U+2193 |
| • | Bullet | =UNICHAR(8226) | U+2022 |
| ★ | Star | =UNICHAR(9733) | U+2605 |
| € | Euro | =UNICHAR(8364) | U+20AC |
| £ | Pound | =UNICHAR(163) | U+00A3 |
| ¥ | Yen | =UNICHAR(165) | U+00A5 |
Where these get used
Status columns with ✓ and ✗ · trend arrows ↑ ↓ in a dashboard · temperatures like 25°C · a bulleted note inside one cell · currency labels (€, £, ¥) · quick star ratings.
Troubleshooting
- Alt codes do nothing. They’re unreliable in browser Sheets — use the Win + . picker, UNICHAR, or copy-paste.
=UNICHAR(...)returns an error. Pass a valid decimal code point (UNICHAR doesn’t take hex), and make sure the number isn’t quoted as text.- A symbol shows as a box ▯. Your display font lacks that glyph; the value is still correct and will export fine.
- I can’t sum a column with symbols. The symbol turned the cell into text. Keep the number and the label separate, or use a custom number format.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I insert a symbol in Google Sheets?
Google Sheets does not have a Special characters menu. You can either paste the symbol directly into a cell or generate it with a formula such as =UNICHAR(176) for the degree symbol (°).
Why is there no Insert Special Characters in Google Sheets?
The Special characters picker is available in Google Docs, not Google Sheets. In Sheets, you can use the UNICHAR function or simply copy and paste symbols.
How does the UNICHAR formula work?
The UNICHAR(number) function returns the Unicode character for a decimal code point. For example, UNICHAR(8594) returns a right arrow (→). You can use UNICODE(“x”) to find the Unicode number for an existing character.
Do Alt codes work in Google Sheets?
In the browser version of Google Sheets on Windows, Alt codes are unreliable and often do not work. Instead, use the UNICHAR function or copy and paste the symbol. On a Mac, Option-key shortcuts work when typing in a cell.
How do I add a check mark in Google Sheets?
Use UNICHAR(10004) to insert a heavy check mark (✔), or copy and paste a check mark such as ✓. Keep in mind that Insert → Tick box adds an interactive checkbox, which is different from a check-mark character.
How do I show 25°C but keep the cell a number?
Apply a custom number format by going to Format → Number → Custom number format, then enter 0″°C”. The cell will display 25°C while the underlying value remains 25, so you can still use it in calculations.
How do I open the symbol picker on Windows?
Put your cursor in a cell and press Windows key + . (period), then open the Symbols tab and click a symbol to insert it.
How do I insert a symbol on a Chromebook?
Copy-paste and UNICHAR formulas always work. For a keyboard option, right-click the cell and choose Emoji & symbols, or press Launcher (Search) + Shift + Space.
Recap
Sheets has no special-characters menu. Paste the symbol, use =UNICHAR(code), or open your device’s picker — Win + . on Windows, Character Viewer on Mac, Emoji & symbols on Chromebook.
Written by Igor R. Tested in Google Sheets on Windows 11, macOS, and the mobile app. Symbol code points follow the Unicode Standard.