6 Simple Ways to Add a Check Mark to a Word Document

If you want to create a simple checklist or keep track of tasks in Microsoft Word, you can insert a checkmark symbol. Word has a built-in Symbols menu that includes the checkmark icon. You can easily access this in the "Insert" tab. You can also set a keyboard shortcut or apply the style to a bullet list. This wikiHow will show you how to add a checkmark symbol (✓) or checkbox to a Microsoft Word document on both Windows and Mac computers.

Things You Should Know

Go to "Insert" → "Symbol" → "More Symbols" → select "Wingdings" → select check mark → "Insert".
Click the bullet list arrow → "Define New Bullet" → "Symbol" → select "Wingdings" → select check mark → "OK".
On a full-sized keyboard, use the shortcut "ALT" + "0252" (Number Pad). Change the font to "Wingdings".

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Using the Insert Menu (Windows)

1
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
- If you haven't installed Microsoft Office on your PC, you can install it now from https://www.office.com.^{[1]
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- You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
2
Click Insert. This will be on the top toolbar, between Home and Draw.

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3
Click Symbol. This will be in the Symbols section, next to Equation.
4
Click More Symbols…. A new window will open.
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Click the "Font" drop-down menu and select Wingdings. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab.
6
Select the check mark symbol. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection. You may need to scroll down.
7
Click Insert. This will add the check mark to your document.
- The window won't close after clicking Insert. You can place your cursor in another area and click Insert again to add another checkmark in another location.
- When you're finished, click Close to return to your document.
- If you need to add another checkmark later, click Insert → Symbol → select the checkmark from the drop-down menu. It will now appear since you used it recently.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Using the Insert Menu (Mac)

1
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
2
Click Insert. This will be on the top toolbar, between Home and Draw.
3
Click Advanced Symbol. You can find this on the right side, next to Equation.
4
Click Symbols. This is the left tab. You may already be on this tab.
5
Select the check mark symbol. Scroll through the available symbols until you find the checkmark, then click it.
- If you can't find the checkmark icon, click the "Font" drop-down menu, scroll down, and select Wingdings. New symbols will appear. Select the checkmark.
6
Click Insert. This is the blue button in the bottom-right corner. The check mark will be added to your document.
- The window won't close after clicking Insert. You can place your cursor in another area and click Insert again to add another checkmark in another location.
- When you're finished inserting a check mark symbol, click Close to return to your document.

Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Creating a Check Mark Shortcut (Windows)

1
Click the Insert menu in Word. Another easy way to add a check mark to your Word document is to create a simple keyboard shortcut. Start by clicking the Insert tab, which is on the top toolbar between Home and Draw.
2
Click Symbol. This will be in the Symbols section, next to Equation.
3
Click More Symbols…. A new window will open.
4
Click the "Font" drop-down menu and select Wingdings. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab.
5
Select the check mark symbol. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection. You may need to scroll down.
6
Click Shortcut Key…. This will be on the bottom-left corner, next to AutoCorrect....
7
Assign a shortcut. Click the "Press new shortcut key" field if your cursor isn't already in the field. Use a combination of a modifier key (such as Alt) and an alphanumeric key.
- For example, press ALT + C at the same time. This will assign the checkmark symbol to this shortcut.
- Avoid using a combination of keys that already represents a different shortcut. (Ex: CTRL + C, which already represents Copy.)
8
Click Assign. This will assign your shortcut to the checkmark symbol.
- Click Close on the Customize Keyboard window and Symbol window.
9
Use your shortcut. If you set ALT + C as your shortcut, press it on your keyboard.
- The checkmark symbol will be entered wherever your cursor is.
- Make sure to save your document.

Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Using a Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

1
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
- This method will only work if you have a full-sized keyboard that has a numeric keypad.
2
On your full-sized keyboard, hold down Alt and type 0252. You should be using the 0252 on your number pad. This is the section on the far-right of your keyboard. Make sure your Number Lock (NumLock) is enabled.
- The character will appear as an umlaut in most fonts.
3
Highlight the character and change the font to "Wingdings". It must be changed to Wingdings in order to appear as a checkmark.
4
Use the on-screen keyboard (optional). Use these steps only if you don't have a full-sized keyboard.
- On Windows, type "on-screen keyboard" into the Start menu and launch the program.
  - Click Options on the keyboard and check the box next to Turn on numeric key pad. Click OK.
  - Click NumLock to enable it. The key will turn blue and reveal the numbers.
  - Hold Alt on your physical keyboard and use your mouse to click 0252 on the on-screen keyboard.
  - You may need to press any key on your keyboard for the umlaut to appear.
  - Highlight the character and change the font to "Wingdings".

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Using Character Viewer (Mac)

1
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters using a checkmark emoji.
2
Click the Edit menu. You'll see it at the top-right corner of your Mac's screen.^{[2]
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3
Click Emoji & Symbols. This opens Character Viewer, which contains many symbols and emoji you can easily add to any document.
4
Search for the check. Type check into the search bar to filter the symbols to display only checkmarks.
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Click the checkmark to add it to your document. You can now insert additional check mark symbols or close the Character Viewer to return to your document.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Creating a Clickable Check List

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Enable the "Developer" tab in Word. If you need to create an entire clickable checklist in your document, you'll need to enable the Developer tab first. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon. Check the box for Developer underneath the Main Tabs header. Click OK.
2
Click the Developer tab. After enabling it, this will be located between View and Help.
3
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. You can put a checkmark before, after, or in between characters.
4
Click the checkmark box. This can be found in the Controls section. It looks like a box with a green checkmark inside. The checkmark box will be added to your document.
- Click the box to mark the X inside.
- This will save to your default layout, but you can always create a Word template to make it easier to create clickable checklists in the future.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Creating a Check Mark Bullet List

1
Open a project in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows and Mac.
- You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
- Use this method to create a list with checkmarks.
2
Place your cursor where you want the check mark to appear. This is where you'll create your list.
3
Click the bullet list arrow. This will be in the Paragraph section.
- A drop-down menu will open.
4
Click Define New Bullet…. You can find this at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
- A new window will open.
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Click Symbol. This will be at the top of the pop-up window.
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Click the "Font" drop-down menu and select Wingdings. The drop-down menu will be at the top of the window, in the Symbols tab.
7
Select the check mark symbol. When you switch to Wingdings, you'll see a new collection of symbols. Find the check mark located near the bottom of the selection. You may need to scroll down.
8
Press OK twice. You'll need to click OK to close the Symbol window and Define New Bullet window.
9
Use your checkmark list. Click the bullet list drop-down menu and select the checkmark from the Bullet Library.
- Enter any line of text you want, then press Enter to create a new checkmark on the next line.
- If needed, you can format your document if you want to adjust the style.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I insert a check mark in a box in a word document?

Community Answer

Change font to Marlett and type a lower case "a". You'll get a check mark!