How to Insert Degree Symbol in Excel (7 Methods)

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The degree (°) symbol is used in different fields like temperature, geo-location, trigonometry, etc. When we use those fields in Excel, we need to insert a degree symbol. But there is no dedicated button in Excel to insert the degree symbol. So, we are going to discuss how to insert the degree symbol in Excel using different orthodox and unorthodox techniques.

Overview of how to insert degree symbol in Excel


How to Insert Degree Symbol in Excel: 7 Methods

In this section, we will show 7 different methods to insert a degree symbol in Excel. For that, we have taken a dataset consisting of 6 cities with their average temperature. The temperature is presented without any unit.

Dataset for how to insert degree symbol in Excel


1. Keyboard Shortcut to Insert Degree Symbol in Excel

We already know that there is no dedicated key to insert the degree symbol in Excel. The easiest way to insert the degree symbol in Excel is to use the keyboard shortcut. Look at the below section for details.

📌 Steps:

  • We want to insert a degree symbol with the existing data in the adjacent column of the existing data. Write the value of cell C5 into cell D5.
  • 1st press the Alt button and keep pressing that button.
  • Then, input 0176 from the number pad and release the Alt button.

Insert degree symbol using keyboard shortcut

  • We can see the degree symbol is inserted on cell D5.

Degree symbol insert by keyboard shortcut

  • Now, select range D5:D10 and press Ctrl+E to apply the Flash Fill feature.

Use of Flash Fill to insert degree symbol for selected range

This inserts degree symbols with the data of range C6:C10 easily.

Note:
You must have the numeric pad on the keyboard to apply this method.

Read More: How to Type Math Symbols in Excel


2. How to Insert Degree Symbol in Excel: Symbol Feature

There is another way to insert degrees in Excel from the Symbol feature.

📌 Steps:

  • Manually, insert data of cell C5 into cell D5.
  • Select cell D5 >> Insert tab >> Symbol from Symbols group.

Go to the Symbol section

  • Choose the Symbols tab from the Symbol window.
  • Choose Calibri as Font, Latin-1 Supplement as Subset.
  • Then, select the Degree Sign (°) and press the Insert button.

Insert degree from the Symbols list

We can see the Unicode name of the selected symbol on the bottom left side of the window.

  • We can see Degree (°) symbol has been added to the dataset.

Degree symbol has been inserted into Excel

  • Follow a similar process for the rest of the cells. Or you can apply the Flash Fill feature.

Insert degree symbol for all cells

Read More: How to Insert Sigma Symbol in Excel


3. Use of CHAR Function to Insert Degree in Excel

The CHAR function is used to retrieve a character based on a given number. Here, we will use the CHAR function to insert the degree symbol. The corresponding numeric value of the degree symbol is 176.

  • Insert the following formula on cell D5 and drag the Fill Handle icon.
=C5&CHAR(176)

Inserting degree symbol using CHAR function

In the formula, we have used cell C5 as the cell reference and the ampersand (&) symbol that joins cell C5 with the degree symbol.

Or, you can produce the degree symbol using the =CHAR(176) formula (then copy the value only) and use the symbol wherever you want.


4. Copy and Paste Degree Symbol in Excel

In this section, we will copy the degree symbol from any external source and paste that into Excel.

📌 Steps:

  • Search for the degree symbol using any browser and copy the degree symbol.

Copy degree symbol from external source

  • Manually write the data of cell C5 into cell D5 and paste the degree symbol.

Paste degree symbol into Excel

  • Do this for the rest of the cells or use the Flash Fill feature and insert the degree symbol.

Apply Flash Fill to insert the degree symbol to all cells


5. Use of Excel Autocorrect Options Tool to Insert Degree Symbol

Excel AutoCorrect tool is commonly used to correct typos, capitalization mistakes, and misspelled words. We can use it to insert symbols in other words. AutoCorrect inherits a list of some common spelling mistakes and symbols. But we can modify this list according to our needs. In this section, we will add the Degree (°) symbol to the list of the AutoCorrect tool.

📌 Steps:

  • Follow File >> Options >> Proofing.
  • Click on AutoCorrect Options from the right side.

Go to AutoCorrect Options

  • AutoCorrect window appears.
  • Insert Degree in the Replace box and Degree symbol in the With Inserted degree symbol by pressing Alt + 0176.
  • Then, press the Add button.

Replace a word for degree symbol and add it to AutoCorrect

  • We can see the Degree Symbol has been inserted in the AutoCorrect window and press the OK button.

Degree Symbol added to AutoCorrect Options

  • Manually insert data from cell C5 into cell D5.
  • Then, insert a space and write the text Degree here.

Insert data and replacement word of degree symbol in desired cell

  • After that, press the Enter button.

Insert degree symbol by removing the word

We can see the Degree text is replaced by the Degree symbol.

  • Follow this process for the rest of the cells and insert the Degree symbol.

Insert degree symbol to all cells

You can see a space between the temperature value and the degree symbol. If you want to you can remove this space manually.


6. Custom Format to Copy Degree Symbol to All Cells

In this section, we will change the cell format to Custom to insert the degree symbol.

📌 Steps:

  • Copy data of range C5:C10 using Ctrl + C and paste it into range D5:D10 using Ctrl + V.

Copy and paste data into another cell

  • Now, select range D5:D10 and press the right button of the mouse.
  • Choose Format Cells from the Context Menu.

Select Format Cells option

  • From the Format Cells window, go to the Number tab.
  • Go to the Custom option from the Category section.
  • Type General and press Alt + 0176.

Insert degree symbol in Format cells window

  • We can see the degree symbol, and then press the OK button.

Customize the format of the selected cells

  • Here, the degree symbol is shown in the worksheet.

Degree symbol inserted to all cells


7. Excel VBA Macro to Add Degree Symbol

VBA code used is when we want to perform the same task repeatedly. Using VBA code, we do not need to perform the whole process. Just simply run the VBA code.

📌 Steps:

  • First, select range C5:C10.
  • Go to Leaf Bar and press the right of the mouse.
  • Click on the View Code option from the Context Menu.

Select a range and click to View Code

  • We enter the VBA module window and follow Insert >> Module >> paste the VBA code.
Sub Insert_Degree_Symbol()
Dim Cell_1 As Range
Dim Total_Digits, Required_Zeros As Long
Set Cell = Selection
For Each Cell_1 In Selection
            If IsNumeric(Cell_1.Value) Then
            Cell_1.Offset(0, 1).Value = Cell_1.Value & "°"
            End If
Next Cell_1
End Sub

Paste VBA code into the module

  • Press the F5 button to run the code and get the result in the adjacent column.

Run VBA code and get result in the next column

The degree symbol has been inserted with the data.

Code Breakdown

  • Dim Cell_1 As Range, Dim Total_Digits, Required_Zeros As Long

Declare the variables with type.

  • Set Cell = Selection

Set the value of Cell as the selection range.

  • For Each Cell_1 In Selection

Apply For loop for each cell of the selection range.

  • If IsNumeric(Cell_1.Value) Then

Check the value of cells is numeric and if true to the next line.

  • Cell_1.Offset(0, 1).Value =Cell_1.Value & “°”

Insert the degree symbol with the existing value in the adjacent cell of the next column.


How to Insert Symbol in Excel

In this section, we will show how to insert any symbol in Excel. For that, we will use a combination of CHAR and UNICHAR functions. The CHAR and UNICHAR functions return character and Unicode character respectively.

We want to get the symbols of the given symbols.

Symbol list

  • Use the formulas given in column D of the respective cells.

Insert symbols using CHAR and UNICHAR functions

Read More: How to Put a Plus Sign in Excel without Formula


How to Insert Special Characters in Excel

We can insert a range of special characters that are available in Excel. For that, we do not need to use any function.

  • Go to Insert >> Symbol from the Symbols tab.
  • Then, you will get the Symbol window.
  • Go to the Special Characters tab and you will get special characters.
  • Choose the desired Character and click on the Insert button.

List of available special characters in Excel


Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I insert the degree symbol into the header or footer of my worksheet?

Ans: Yes, you can insert the degree symbol into the header or footer of your worksheet easily. Follow the steps below:

  • Go to Page Layout >> Expand icon of the Page Setup >> select Header/Footer section.
  • Now, insert the degree symbol by pressing Alt + 0176 and click the OK button.

This will insert the degree symbol in the header and footer.

2. Can I insert the degree symbol into a chart or graph in Excel?

Ans: You can insert a degree symbol into a chart or graph in Excel by following any of the methods mentioned here.

3. What is the Degrees Function in Excel?

Ans: The DEGREES function is used for trigonometry operations in Excel. This function converts degrees into radians. It is not related to the degree symbol.


Things to Remember

  • To use the keyboard shortcut in inserting the degree symbol, your keyboard must have a number pad.

Download Practice Workbook

Download this practice workbook to exercise while you are reading this article.


Conclusion

In this article, we described several methods to insert the degree symbol in Excel with explanations. The keyboard shortcut is the most effective method for most cases. This keyboard shortcut is used to execute other methods.

We also showed how to insert other symbols and special characters in Excel. I hope this will satisfy your needs. Please have a look at our website and give your suggestions in the comment box.


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Alok Paul
Alok Paul

Alok Paul has completed his B.Sc. in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from East West University. He has been working on the ExcelDemy project for more than 2 years. He has written 220+ articles and replied to numerous comments. He is experienced in Microsoft Office, especially in Excel. He also led some teams on Excel and VBA content development. He has a keen interest in Advanced Excel, Data analysis, Excel Pivot Table, Charts, and Dashboard. He loves to research... Read Full Bio

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