Excel has a collection of symbols to choose from. Combining a number, special characters or symbols has different meanings. In most cases, you won’t be able to put them in a single cell with a number. To represent the symbols with numbers, you’ll need to add certain formulas and functions. In this tutorial, we will show you how to add a symbol before a number in Excel.
How to Add Symbol Before a Number in Excel: 3 Ways
We’ve represented some symbols and numbers in the image below. We’d like to combine them into one cell to make it more comprehensible and significant. To accomplish this, we’ll use the Symbols group, the CHAR function, and the Format Cells feature. To add a symbol before a number, use the methods listed below.
1. Use Symbols Group to Add Symbol Before a Number
We will use the Symbols group from the Insert tab to add symbols.
Step 1: Open the Symbols Option
- Firstly, select cell B5.
- Click on the Insert tab.
- From the Symbols group, select the Symbol option.
Step 2: Insert Symbols
- After opening the Symbol box, click to select the preferred symbol.
- Click on Insert to add the symbol to the Excel cell.
- Click on Close to go back to the spreadsheet.
- As a result, the plus (+) sign will be inserted in cell B5.
- Choose the preferred symbols to insert in the column.
Step 3: Apply Formula to Add Symbol Before a Number
- To add the two cell values separated by a space, type the following formula.
=B5&" "&C5
- Then, press Enter to see the first added value of the symbol and number.
- Finally, drag down the Fill Handle to auto-fill all the cells.
Read More: How to Type Math Symbols in Excel
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2. Apply CHAR Function to Add Symbol Before a Number
You can add symbols or characters with the help of the CHAR function. Every symbol has a dedicated ASCII code under the CHAR function.
Step 1: List the ASCII Code for the symbols
- The corresponding ASCII codes of different symbols are listed below.
Step 2: Insert ASCII Codes with the CHAR Function
- Enter the ASCII Code (43) of the plus (+) sign with the CHAR function.
=CHAR(B5)
- Then, press Enter to see the result. You will see that the plus (+) sign will appear in cell C5.
- AutoFill the formula throughout the column.
Step 3: Join Two Cells
- Write down the formula to connect the two cells having a space between them.
=C5&" "&D5
- Finally, press Enter to see the result.
- To get the results for all the cells, simply drag down the AutoFill tool.
 Notes:  If you don’t know the ASCII code, you can find the ASCII code number in the Symbol box. Make sure that, the number system is in decimal.
Read More: How to Type Minus Sign in Excel Without Formula
3. Format Cells to Add Symbol
Excel has some built-in symbols for numbers, currency, and plus (+) /minus (–). We can add them before a number by using the Format Cells box.
Step 1: List the Symbols
- Make a list of symbols you want to add before the numbers.
- From the Formula Bar, copy the symbol.
- Then, press the Esc button.
Step 2: Apply Format Cells
- Select cell C5Â where the number is located.
- After that, press Ctrl + 1  to open the Format Cells dialog box.
- From the Number tab, select the Custom option.
- In the Type box, select a number format (#,##0) and paste the symbol plus (+) before the format.
- You can see a preview in the Sample.
- Finally, click OK to see the first result that the plus (+) sign is added before the number (100200).
- As a result, repeat the procedure for the remaining operations and check the outcomes as shown below.
Read More: How to Insert Dollar Sign in Excel Formula
Download Practice Workbook
Download this practice workbook to exercise while you are reading this article.
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you a tutorial about how to add a symbol before a number in Excel. All of these procedures should be learned and applied to your dataset. Take a look at the practice workbook and put these skills to the test. We’re motivated to keep making tutorials like this because of your valuable support.
Please contact us if you have any questions. Also, feel free to leave comments in the section below.
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