How to Insert the Double-Headed Arrow in Excel (4 Methods)

The double-headed arrow in Excel serves two purposes: it represents resizing and adjustment of columns or rows, and it can also be used for scrolling within a sheet.

You can use this arrow as a symbol or shape to illustrate relationships between two or more objects.

Method 1 – Using the Symbol Option from Insert Tab

Choose the cell where you want to insert the arrow.
Go to the Insert tab in the Excel ribbon.
Look for the Symbols option and click on it.

Applying the symbol option from the insert tab

In the Symbol window, select the Arrows subset. Pick the double-headed arrow that suits your needs.
Click the Insert button.

The arrow will now appear in your selected cell, indicating the relationship between two cells.

Showing the fill handle tool

You can also drag the Fill Handle tool to apply the arrow to other cells.

Method 2 – Using the Shapes Feature

Choose the cell where you want to place the arrow.
Navigate to the Insert tab.
Look for the Shapes option in the Illustrations group.
From the Lines section, select the double-headed arrow shape.

Use the Format Shapes options to adjust the arrow’s size, color, shape, and font. This method allows greater flexibility in modifying the arrow’s appearance.

Showing the shapes as a output

Method 3 – Using a Special Font

Go to the Home tab in the Excel ribbon.
Look for the Windings 3 font in the Font group.
Set the font size to 14.
Simply type the letter n on your keyboard. Excel will automatically insert a double-headed arrow using the chosen font.

Remember that while the first two methods provide built-in shapes and customization options, the third method relies on font characters for the arrow. Choose the method that best suits your needs!

Method 4 – Using VBA Code to Insert a Double-Headed Arrow

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code can simplify your work and automate processes. To use VBA macros for inserting a double-headed arrow, follow these steps:

Hover over the Developer tab in Excel.
Choose Visual Basic to open the Visual Basic Editor window.

launching the VBA editor from developer tab

In the Visual Basic Editor, go to the Insert tab.
Select Module to create a new module (e.g., Module1).

Visual basic editor window

Enter the following code in the Module:

Sub AddDoubleHeadedArrowToCell()
    Dim ws As Worksheet
    Set ws = ActiveSheet
    Dim cell As Range
    Set cell = ws.Range("C17")
    Dim cellCenterX As Double
    cellCenterX = cell.Left + (cell.Width / 2)
    Dim cellCenterY As Double
    cellCenterY = cell.Top + (cell.Height / 2)
    Dim shape As shape
    Set shape = ws.Shapes.AddLine(cellCenterX, cellCenterY, cellCenterX + 50, cellCenterY)
    shape.Line.ForeColor.RGB = RGB(0, 0, 0)
    shape.Line.EndArrowheadStyle = msoArrowheadOpen
    shape.Line.EndArrowheadLength = msoArrowheadLengthMedium
    shape.Line.EndArrowheadWidth = msoArrowheadWide
    shape.Line.BeginArrowheadStyle = msoArrowheadOpen
    shape.Line.BeginArrowheadLength = msoArrowheadLengthMedium
    shape.Line.BeginArrowheadWidth = msoArrowheadWide
End Sub

Code Breakdown

This VBA sub-procedure adds a double-headed arrow to a specific cell (e.g., C17) in the Excel sheet. It calculates the center of the cell where the arrow starts and extends it 50 units horizontally. The arrow is black, with medium-length and wide arrowheads.

Press F5 to execute the VBA code.
The double-headed arrow will appear in the selected cell.

Final output after added the shapes with VBA

Read More: How to Add Trend Arrows in Excel

Where Do You Find Double Headed Arrows in Excel? (2 Examples)

1. Increase/Decrease Column Width

Hover over the edge of a column.
When you see the double-headed arrow cursor, drag it rightward to increase column width or leftward to decrease it.

2. Scroll Your Cursor

Excel has both vertical and horizontal scrollbars.
Use the vertical scrollbar to move the page up or down and the horizontal scrollbar to move left or right within a worksheet.

The above image shows the default scrollbars in the Excel window for moving your cursor vertically or horizontally within a worksheet. However, if your dataset is large, you can create a customized vertical or horizontal scrollbar in Excel.

Frequently Asked Questions

I cannot find the double-headed arrow to resize the column/row. What could be the reason?
- If the spreadsheet is protected, the double-headed arrow may not appear, and you won’t be able to adjust column or row sizes. In this case, unprotect the sheet.
- Over zooming your spreadsheet might hide the double-headed arrow. Try expanding the view to see if it becomes visible.
- Some older Excel versions may lack the double-headed arrow feature. Consider using the latest Microsoft 365 version.
What is the function of the two-headed arrow cursor in Excel?
- The double-headed arrow serves multiple purposes:
  - It allows you to modify column width.
  - You can scroll using the cursor.
  - It can also be used to create symbols or shapes that represent relationships between different elements.
What is a double-headed arrow called?
- The double-headed arrow is commonly referred to as the “resonance arrow.” It signifies two or more arrows resonating with each other.
Can we hide the double-headed arrow in Excel?
- The double-headed arrow is a built-in feature for resizing cells and cell groups. Unfortunately, you cannot hide it.
- However, if you don’t want to see individual column boundaries, you can disable gridlines display in Excel.
Can we use the double-headed arrow to resize multiple rows or columns simultaneously?
- Yes! You can resize multiple rows or columns at once using the double-headed arrow:
  - Select the rows or columns you want to adjust.
  - Hover your mouse over the boundary until the double-headed arrow appears.
  - Click and drag the border to resize all the selected rows or columns together.

Things to Remember

When choosing a shape or symbol, consider its alignment with the chart’s purpose. For instance, if you’re comparing two data sets, select a shape that clearly represents the difference between them.
Keep the double-headed arrow simple and easy to understand at a glance. Avoid overly complex shapes that might confuse readers.