Inserting symbols into a Word document
Many scientific publications require the use of symbols. To insert symbols into a Word document, use the Insert Symbol menu option. Either find the symbol in the ones displayed or type in the unicode number in the Character Code field.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to enter a symbol in a Word document (see the table below):
- Type a unicode number (see below).
- Select the unicode text.
- Press Alt+x.
Word will replace the unicode with the correct symbol.
Caution! Not all shortcuts work on a Mac.
Unicode symbols for Greek letters
| Greek symbol | Unicode | Greek symbol | Unicode | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| α | 03B1 | ξ | 03BE | |
| β | 03B2 | ο | 03BF | |
| γ | 03B3 | π | 03C0 | |
| δ | 03B4 | ρ | 03C1 | |
| ε | 03B5 | ς | 03C2 | |
| ζ | 03B6 | σ | 03C3 | |
| η | 03B7 | τ | 03C4 | |
| θ | 03B8 | υ | 03C5 | |
| ι | 03B9 | φ | 03C6 | |
| κ | 03BA | χ | 03C7 | |
| λ | 03BB | ψ | 03C8 | |
| μ | 03BC | ω | 03C9 | |
| ν | 03BD |
Minus symbol
A minus symbol, rather than a hyphen, is used in text to show a negative quantity or subtraction:
−20 °C a − b = c
Insert the minus symbol in Word from the symbol set (mathematical operators; unicode 2212). In some fonts, it sits slightly higher than the en dash and has slightly more space around it.
However, it is also acceptable to use an en dash (but not a hyphen) to represent the minus sign.
Single prime symbol
Caution! The single prime symbol (unicode 2032) cannot be replaced with an apostrophe or a single quotation mark.
Uses of the single prime symbol include:
- to indicate the 3-prime and 5-prime ends of a nucleotide sequence
3′-AATAACGGTTTACCGATAC-5′
- to indicate minutes in angles and geographic coordinates
35°25′E
- to indicate locants in chemical names
N,N′- ...
- to distinguish functional groups
C′ [the carbonyl carbon in proteins]
- to indicate feet in imperial measurements
6′ high
- to indicate a complement in set notation
A′ [the complement of set A]
- to indicate the first derivative in functions
- to indicate the negation of an event in probability theory
Pr(A′) = 1 – Pr(A)
Double prime symbol
Caution! The double prime symbol (unicode 2033) cannot be replaced with double quotation marks.
Uses of the double prime symbol include:
- to indicate inches in imperial measurements
6′4″ high
- to indicate seconds in angles and geographic coordinates
35°25′5′′E
- to indicate the second derivative in functions
Nonbreaking space
Did you know? In Microsoft Word, a nonbreaking space appears in the text like a ‘degree’ symbol: °.
A nonbreaking (‘hard’) space is used to keep certain elements together (i.e. to ensure that the elements do not break over lines). A nonbreaking space is used:
- between an author’s family name and initial
A Jones Jones A
- between a person’s title and name
Dr Andrew Smith
- between an abbreviated genus name and the species name
E. globulus
- on either side of mathematical operators
n = 812
P < 0.05
- between a number and its unit (see Numbers and units)
14 kg pH 7 37 °C
- between the day and month in a date
15 January 2013
- in 2-worded Latin phrases
et al in vivo
- after words such as Chapter, Section, Figure and Table in cross-references
Section 2 Table 3 Figure 5
- after e.g. and i.e.
Word processing tip
How to insert a nonbreaking space
Use Ctrl+Shift+Space (Windows), or Option+Space (Mac).
Note identifiers
Use superscript arabic numerals for footnotes used for in-text citations. Punctuation within the sentence should be placed before the superscript:
… website.2 … website;2 … website,2
An exception to using numerals for footnotes is when the Vancouver referencing style is used in the publication. In this case, use superscript letters for footnotes to avoid confusion with the numerals used for reference citations.