Character Code for Check Mark in Excel (5 Suitable Findings)

Say you want to make a to-do list. So, what will you do? Make a list, and after finishing the work, you will give a check mark on that job, right? So, it is obvious that if you are using Excel, then you need the character code for the check mark.

Like you have to answer a question in “Yes-No”, or “Done-Not Yet” in your dataset. Then, you can use the check mark instead of using words.

See Below. You can use both check or tick mark. Also, you can see some numeric numbers inside the Excel function. These numeric numbers are called character codes.

So, today, I will explain the character codes for check marks in Excel. For conducting the session, I’m going to use Microsoft 365 version.

Character Code for Check Mark in Excel: 5 Suitable Findings

The basic question is how and where to use this character code to insert a check mark.

So, here are the four findings. Below, I will describe them with proper images. For your better understanding, I’m going to use a sample dataset. In that dataset, I have to insert the check mark to show the audited companies.

1. Using Character Code in Excel Functions to Insert Check Mark

First of all, you have to know the character codes for check marks in Excel. Basically, the character codes are dependent on the Font.

In these methods, I will talk about Wingdings font. In this font the character code for tick mark is 252. And the character code for tick mark in box is 254.

Now, I will use some Excel functions to create the check mark with these codes.

1.1 Using CHAR Function with Font Style Wingdings

In this section, I will use the CHAR function. CHAR takes a numeric value (character code) as argument and return that specific character.

• Select the range >> from Home tab >> under Font group >> change the font to Wingdings.
• Then select a particular cell where you need to use the check mark >> write the following formula.

• Press ENTER to insert the check mark.

Now, I will use another numeric value (character code) as argument in the CHAR function to get the check mark in box.

• At first make the font to Wingdings.
• Then, select a cell where you need to use this check mark >> write the following formula.

• Press ENTER to get the check mark.

1.2 Applying UNICHAR Function

Now, I will apply another function which is UNICHAR function. Basically, the CHAR function can’t take a numeric value greater than 255 as argument. Thus, Excel creates this UNICHAR function. Which can take a numeric value greater than 255 as argument.

But both the functions return the same value till the 255 number.

• Like the previous one, select the range >> from Home tab >> under Font group >> change the font to Wingdings.
• Then select a cell where you need to use the check mark >> write the following formula.

• Press ENTER to insert the check mark in a box.

Here, you can also use UNICHAR(252) to insert tick mark.

1.3 Character Code for Negative Check Mark/ Cross Symbol

Sometimes you may need the cross symbol too. In that case, use any of the following codes as the argument in the CHAR or UNICHAR function.

• Character code 251 of font Wingdings denotes the cross symbol.
• And character code 253 of font Wingdings returns the cross symbol in a box.

1.4 Using Character Code to Create an Excel Formula

You can make a combination of the CHAR function with any other function to create a useful formula.

Like I want to check which companies are audited. Here, if a company has more than $12000 EBITDA then that will be audited.

So, I need to use the IF function along with the CHAR function.

• Use the following formula and check the result.

Here, you can drag the Fill Handle icon to AutoFill the corresponding data in the rest of the cells G6:G15. Or you can double-click on the Fill Handle icon.

2. Inserting Check Mark Straight from Excel Symbol Option

There is another way to use the character code for inserting check marks in Excel. Now, I will insert the check mark straight from the Excel Symbol options.

Actually, I will use the character code to find the correct symbol as check mark.

• First, select the cell where you want to introduce the check mark.
• Then, from Insert tab >> go to Symbols >> choose Symbol.

As a result, a dialog box named Symbol will appear.

• First, from Font box >> select the font Wingdings 2 >> in the Character code box >> write 80. So, you will find the tick mark from the symbol list got auto-selected.
• Then press Insert.

Below, you can see the output.

• If you want to use this symbol again, then just go to Insert tab >> from Symbols group >> choose Symbol.
• Then the Symbol dialog box will appear and get the symbol from Recently used symbols >> select the tick mark >> press Insert.

In the case of font Wingdings 2, you can use character code from 79 to 86 as check mark. Below, I have attached the details of these character codes.

Then, in the case of the Wingdings font, you can use the character code from 251 to 254 as check mark. Below, I have attached the details of these character codes.

There is another font with which you can insert check mark using character code. The font is Webdings. So, let’s check the details of these character codes for this font.

3. Using Keyboard Shortcuts Based on Character Codes

You can also use keyboard shortcut for directly inserting the check mark. Here, you must use different shortcuts for different character codes.

But firstly, you need to make the font to Wingdings 2.

• To do so, select the range G5:G15 >> from Home tab >> under Font group >> go to the drop-down menu of Font >> choose Wingdings 2.

• Then select cell G5 only >> press SHIFT+P keys to get tick mark.

4. Use of Conditional Formatting to Highlight Check Mark with Character Code

In this section, I will highlight the cell where there is a tick mark. So, I will use Conditional Formatting feature of Excel.

Here, I have the list of which companies are audited and which are not. Now, I want to highlight all the audited companies.

• Select the range that you need to highlight >> from Home tab >> go to Conditional Formatting >> click on New Rule.

At this time, the dialog box of New Formatting Rule will appear.

• Now, from that dialog box >> you have to select Use a formula to determine which cells to format.
• Then, you need to write down the following formula in the Format values where this formula is true: box.

Here, the Logical Test says whether the value of the G5 cell is equal to CHAR(80) or not. Also, if the value of G5 cell is equal to CHAR(80) then it will color the corresponding cell (B5) otherwise it remains with No color.

• After that, go to the Format menu.

Another dialog box named Format Cells will appear.

• Now, from the Fill option >> you have to choose any of the colors. Here, I have chosen Light Green. Also, you can see the sample instantly. In this case, try to choose any light color. Because the dark color may hide the input data. Then, you may need to change the Font Color.
• Then, you must press OK to apply the formation.

• After that, you also have to press OK on the New Formatting Rule dialog box.
• Then, you will get the audited companies highlighted.

5. Excel’s AutoCorrect Options for Creating Customized Character Code to Include Check Mark

If you think of creating your own code for check marks, then you can do that too. In this case, I will use Excel’s AutoCorrect Options.

• From Top Ribbon >> go to File menu of the Excel sheet >> press Options.

As a result, you will get the Excel Options dialog box.

• From Proofing >> click AutoCorrect Options >> you will get AutoCorrect: English (United States) dialog box.
• In that dialog box, write your code in the Replace box >> copy-paste a tick mark (✓) in the With box >> press OK.
• Then, press OK on Excel Options dialog box.

• I set “CkMk” as the code. So, I write “CkMk” in Formula Bar >> press ENTER >> get a tick mark instead of “CkMk“.

How to Insert Check Mark Without Character Code in Excel Using VBA Macro

If you don’t want to use the character codes, then you can still insert a check mark. In this case, I will use VBA Macro.

• To open the Visual Basic Editor, from Developer tab >> go to Visual Basic.

Then, you will get the Visual Basic Editor. Now, see the following codes and use them to check the result.

1. Add Check Mark in a Cell or Range of Cells Based on Selection

• From Insert tab >> go to Module >> write the following code.

Sub Inserting_Check_Mark()
Dim my_rnge As Range
For Each my_rnge In Selection
my_rnge.Font.Name = "Wingdings"
my_rnge.Value = "ü"
Next my_rnge
End Sub

• Insert another module >> Write the following code in Module2.

Sub Inserting_Cross_Mark()
Dim my_rnge As Range
For Each my_rnge In Selection
my_rnge.Font.Name = "Wingdings"
my_rnge.Value = "û"
Next my_rnge
End Sub

This code is similar to the previous one, but here the cell value will be û.

• Now, save the codes >> go back to the Excel sheet.
• From Developer tab >> go to Insert >> from Form Controls >> drag a Button.
• Then you will get the Assign Macro dialog box >> select the macro named Inserting_Check_Mark >> press OK.

• Similarly, insert another button >> assign the macro named Inserting_Cross_Mark in that button.

Here, if you press the button with Inserting_Check_Mark macro, you will get a tick mark. In case you press the button with Inserting_Cross_Mark, you will get a cross mark.

• Here, I have changed the display name of both buttons. To do so, right-click on the button >> click Edit Text >> change the name.
• Now, go to a cell >> press on the required button. Here, you can also select a range of cells >> press any button >> get all these cells with the same symbol.

Read More: How to Add Characters in Excel 

2. Double Click Cell to Add Check Mark in Excel

I will give you another code. With this, you can get a checkmark after double-clicking on the cell.

• So, right-click on the sheet name (VBA Macro-2) to get the Context Menu Bar >> from the Context Menu Bar >> press VBA Code.

• Then you will get the Visual Basic Editor >> write the following code in that. Basically, this will allow you to write the code inside that particular sheet. So, this code will work only for that sheet.

Private Sub Worksheet_BeforeDoubleClick(ByVal Target As Range, Cancel As Boolean)
If Target.Column = 7 Then
Cancel = True
Target.Font.Name = "Wingdings"
If Target.Value = "" Then
Target.Value = "ü"
Else
Target.Value = ""
End If
End If
End Sub

• In this code, you need to mention the column index. As I kept Target.Column = 7 so double clicking will insert a check mark only in 7th or G column.

How to Count Check Marks in Excel

• To count the check marks, use the following formula.

Here, you must use the code which you used to insert the check marks. The COUNTIF function will count all the cells whose are having CHAR(252) or the tick mark.

How to Format Check Marks in Excel

The interesting part is you can format the check marks. You can increase/ decrease the Font Size, change the Font Color, make them Bold or Italic, and give an Underline to them. Actually, what you can do with the text value, you can do all those things with check marks, too.

How to Remove Check Marks in Excel

Removing check marks is so simple.

• Select the required cell >> from the keyboard, press DELETE key.

This will remove the check mark of that cell.

Best Practice for Using Check Marks in Excel

Inserting the check mark with character code is time-consuming. So, here is a solution for you to use a checkmark/cross symbol to save time.

I’m going to use the Data Validation feature of Excel.

• To do so, first, copy-paste the tick mark and cross symbol in the Excel sheet. You can copy them from here: ✖, ✓.
• Then, select the entire range (G5:G15) where you want to use the check marks.
• Then, go to Data tab >> from Data Tools >> go to Data Validation >> select Data Validation.
• Now, you will get the Data Validation dialog box. From the Allow box >> choose List >> in the Source box >> select the cells where are the pasted symbols (C17:C18) >> press OK.

• Lastly, you will get a drop-down arrow in every cell of the selected range (G5:G15). From this drop-down arrow >> you can select any one of the symbols.

Practice Section

Now, you can practice the explained method by yourself.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the following practice workbook to practice yourself.

Conclusion

So, this is for today. Hopefully, you get the explained ways. With the help of my findings, use the character code for check marks in Excel.

Please drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Check Mark Vs Check Box in Excel

A check mark is just a symbol. On the other hand, check box is a blank box. This box allows you to click. After clicking, you will get the box with a checkmark.

2. How to insert a checkbox in Excel?

Go to Developer tab >> from Insert >> under Form Controls segment >> select Check Box (Form Control).

3. How to Insert a Check Mark Symbol in Word?

From the Insert tab of Microsoft Word >> under Symbols group >> go to Symbol option >> press More Symbols >> then in the Symbol dialog box >> set the Font Wingdings and Character code 252 >> press Insert. This is similar to inserting check marks in Excel.

4. Is there a way to get check mark from Conditional Formatting?

Yes. From Conditional Formatting >> go to New Rule >> choose Icon Sets in Format Style box >> select Icon Style as Cross-Check mark.

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