Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To add a standard check mark in Word, copy and paste ✓, or type 2713 and press Alt+X in desktop Word. For a heavier mark, use ✔. If you need a box that users can click, do not insert a static symbol: use Developer > Check Box Content Control in desktop Word or Home > Paragraph > Checklist in Word for the web.
These options look similar but work differently. A check mark such as ✓ is ordinary text and will not toggle when clicked; a Word checklist or checkbox content control is interactive.
Choose the type of check mark you need
“Check mark,” “tick mark,” and “checkbox” are often used interchangeably, but Word offers both static characters and interactive controls. Choose the result you need before inserting anything:
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| What you need | Use | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Standard completed-item mark | ✓ — Unicode U+2713 |
Static check mark |
| Heavier visual mark | ✔ — Unicode U+2714 |
Static heavy check mark |
| Empty box for a printed list | ☐ — Unicode U+2610 |
Static ballot box |
| Box that already contains a check | ☑ — Unicode U+2611 |
Static checked box |
| Box containing an X | ☒ — Unicode U+2612 |
Static crossed box |
| Emoji-style check | ✅ — Unicode U+2705 |
Appearance may be colorful or vary by platform |
| Clickable task list | Word’s Checklist feature | Can be checked and cleared |
| Clickable desktop form field | Check Box Content Control | Interactive Word form control |
The Unicode characters are different characters, not merely font variations of one character. Unicode names U+2713 CHECK MARK, U+2714 HEAVY CHECK MARK, and U+2611 BALLOT BOX WITH CHECK. See the Unicode character chart for check marks and the Unicode ballot-box chart.
Popular on Amazon
- The Perfect Solution for "Stop the Peek" Keyboard Instruction
- Durable, Cleanable and Easy to Store
- Not Compatible with Newer Chromebook and Laptop Computers (See SpeedSkin UltraSlim 2nd Generation)
Fastest method: copy and paste a check mark
For a one-off mark, copying the character is the quickest and most platform-independent method. Select the mark you want below and copy it into Word:
✓ ✔ ☐ ☑ ☒ ✅After pasting, you can select the character and change its font size, color, or other text formatting. If pasting from another document brings unwanted formatting with it, use Paste Text Only where that option is available. In supported browsers, Ctrl+Shift+V usually pastes without the source formatting.
Copy and paste is particularly useful in Word for the web, Word on a phone, and Word on a tablet, where the desktop Symbol dialog or Alt+X workflow may not be available.
Insert a check mark in Word on Windows
Method 1: Use the Symbol dialog
- Place the cursor where you want the check mark.
- Open the Insert tab.
- Select Symbol, then More Symbols.
- In the Font box, try Segoe UI Symbol.
- Select ✓, ✔, or another symbol.
- Select Insert, then Close.
The exact glyphs available depend on the selected font. If the check mark is not visible, change the font in the Symbol dialog and look again. Microsoft documents this Windows procedure, along with the current desktop Word versions to which its instructions apply, in its check-mark instructions.
Method 2: Convert a Unicode code with Alt+X
Desktop Word can convert a hexadecimal Unicode code into its character:
| Result | Type this code | Then press |
|---|---|---|
| ✓ standard check mark | 2713 |
Alt+X |
| ✔ heavy check mark | 2714 |
Alt+X |
| ☑ checked box | 2611 |
Alt+X |
| ☐ empty box | 2610 |
Alt+X |
For example, to create ✓:
- Type
2713where the mark should appear. - Press Alt+X.
- Word changes the code into ✓.
Type the four hexadecimal digits without the U+ prefix. This is a Unicode conversion shortcut in desktop Word, not the same as a numeric-keypad Alt code. If Word converts the wrong characters—especially when the code follows another letter or number—select only the code, then press Alt+X. The selected font must also contain the intended glyph. Microsoft explains the Unicode and ASCII code procedures in Word.
Method 3: Use the legacy Wingdings shortcut
Older Word instructions often use Wingdings. This method can still work, but it is font-dependent and is not the best choice for documents that will be edited or shared across different systems.
Also popular on Amazon
- KEEP REFERENCE PAGES IN VIEW: Set notes, forms, printouts, or patterns upright beside your keyboard so you can read from the page while typing, entering data, studying, or following project steps
- WEIGHTED BASE AND PAGE CLIP: The weighted base and nonslip pads help the freestanding holder stay steady on a flat surface, while the clip keeps loose sheets upright and ready to read
- COMPACT FOOTPRINT FOR SMALL DESKS: This small document holder gives you a clear reference point without the bulk of a full-size copy board, leaving more room for your keyboard and work
- ONE PAGE OR A SMALL GROUP OF SHEETS: Clip in a single reference page or a few loose papers and change them as your task moves forward. Fit depends on paper thickness and stiffness
- FREESTANDING AND EASY TO REPOSITION: Move the white holder between a desk, counter, and worktable for tax forms, schedules, receipts, recipes, handwritten notes, or printed sewing patterns
- Select the Wingdings font.
- Hold down Alt.
- Type
0252on the numeric keypad. - Release Alt.
The numeric-keypad shortcut requires a separate numeric keypad and may require Num Lock to be on. The number row above the letters will not perform the same function. In Word’s Symbol dialog, Microsoft also identifies Wingdings character code 252 and another check-mark option at 254.
Wingdings does not make 0252 a universal Unicode check-mark code. It uses a legacy font mapping. If the font is later changed, unavailable, or replaced, the visible mark can turn into a letter or another glyph. For a more portable document, use ✓ with Unicode 2713 and Alt+X, or use the Symbol dialog. See Microsoft’s explanation of check-mark symbols and font-dependent options.
Insert a check mark in Word on Mac
Use Word’s Advanced Symbol dialog
- Place the cursor where you want the mark.
- Open the Insert menu.
- Select Advanced Symbol.
- Open the Symbols section.
- Choose the check mark or checked box you want.
- Select Insert, then Close.
Word for Mac does not use the Windows numeric-keypad instructions as a universal method. The dependable Word route is Insert > Advanced Symbol > Symbols.
Use the macOS Character Viewer
- Place the cursor in the Word document.
- Choose Edit > Emoji & Symbols, or press Fn/Globe+E.
- Search for check mark, heavy check mark, or a code such as
2713. - Click or double-click the character to insert it into Word.
Apple’s Character Viewer instructions explain how to search by character name or code and insert the selected symbol into the active application.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Add a check mark in Word for the web
Insert one static check mark
For a single mark in Word for the web, copy and paste ✓, ✔, or ☑. This is generally more reliable in a browser than trying to use desktop Word’s Symbol dialog or Alt+X. If the pasted mark looks wrong, use paste text only where your browser provides it, then apply a symbol font such as Segoe UI Symbol.
Word for the web and desktop Word do not have identical feature sets. Microsoft’s feature comparison explains some of those differences.
Make a clickable checklist in Word for the web
- Open the Home tab.
- In the Paragraph group, select Checklist.
- Type or paste each task as a list item.
- Click an empty checkbox to check it, and click it again to clear it.
Microsoft also documents Ctrl+, as a shortcut for inserting the web checklist. This native web checklist is interactive; a pasted ☑ is not. Use the Microsoft checklist instructions if the command is not visible in your version or language of Word for the web.
Also popular on Amazon
- Thin Profile, Neatly Hidden Keyboard: Add comfortable, focused typing to your paper tablet with a slim, tactile keyboard. When the keyboard isn’t in use, it neatly folds away, leaving a stylish cover to protect your paper tablet.
- Type with Focus: With a simple design, minimalistic formatting, and flexible page lengths and column widths, nothing gets in the way of you and your thoughts. It's a typewriter with digital powers.
- Combine Typing and Freehand: Add extra thoughts and comments in the margins, sketch between paragraphs, or highlight passages with your Marker as you type. Handwriting, typing, sketching - all seamlessly integrated.
- Find the Right Angle: Type Folio for Paper Pro offers two typing modes: an upright position and a near-flat position perfect for combining handwriting and typed text. Reading documents or writing by hand? Fold away the keyboard and open your folio up like a book.
- Take Notes Anywhere: Type and edit notes across your smart devices with our mobile and desktop apps. Add new thoughts on the go, or pick up where you left off. All your work is available and ready to build on, wherever you are. Get access to mobile and desktop note-taking with a Connect subscription. *
Make a print-only checklist with check-mark bullets
If the list will be printed and does not need to be clicked on screen, a custom symbol bullet is usually cleaner than inserting a separate character at the start of every line.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Type the list and select its paragraphs.
- Open the Home tab.
- Select the arrow next to Bullets.
- Select Define New Bullet.
- Select Symbol or Bullet.
- Choose an empty box such as ☐, a check mark, or another suitable symbol.
- Select OK, then OK again.
A box bullet is a visual list marker, not a form control. It will not toggle between empty and checked when clicked. Use an empty box for a checklist readers will fill out by hand, or use a static check-mark bullet for a list of completed items.
Word for the web cannot create custom bullets. If Define New Bullet is unavailable, use its built-in Checklist feature, paste static box characters, or open the document in desktop Word and create the custom bullet there. Microsoft documents this limitation in its guide to custom picture and symbol bullets.
Make a clickable checkbox in desktop Word
For an on-screen form, application, survey, or task list that users must complete in Word, use a checkbox content control rather than a pasted symbol.
Show the Developer tab
The Developer tab is hidden by default in many Word installations. Enable it once; Word normally keeps it visible afterward.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Windows
- Select File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
- Under Main Tabs, select Developer.
- Select OK.
Mac
- Select Word > Preferences.
- Select Ribbon and Toolbar.
- Under Customize the Ribbon > Main Tabs, select Developer.
- Select Save.
These steps and labels can vary slightly by platform, language, and edition. Microsoft’s current instructions are in Show the Developer tab in Word.
Insert and duplicate the checkbox
- Place the cursor at the beginning of a list item.
- Open Developer.
- Select Check Box Content Control or Check Box, depending on the Word version.
- Type the list item after the control.
- Use a Tab after the checkbox when you need consistent hanging indentation. A tab is preferable to manually adding several spaces.
- Copy and paste the checkbox control to the other list items.
- Click a checkbox to select it, and click it again to clear it.
The result is an interactive desktop Word control. It is different from the static characters ☐ and ☑.
Also popular on Amazon
- Plain white paper is great for typing
- 8-1/2" x 11" page size
- 100 sheets included per pack
- High quality, medium weight bond paper
- 15 lb. paper
Change the checked symbol from an X to a check mark
On Windows desktop Word, a checkbox content control may use an X as its checked symbol. You can change that symbol as follows:
- Select the checkbox control.
- Open Developer > Properties.
- Beside Checked symbol, select Change.
- Choose a check mark.
- If needed, choose Segoe UI Symbol or Wingdings 2 from the font list.
- Select OK, then close the properties dialog.
This specific checked-symbol customization is documented by Microsoft as a Windows desktop procedure. The available properties and labels are not necessarily identical in Word for Mac or Word for the web. See Change checked boxes from an X to a check mark.
Format, resize, or recolor a static check mark
A static check mark is text, so select it and use Word’s normal formatting commands:
- Change Font Size to make it larger or smaller.
- Use Font Color to recolor it.
- Apply bold or another text style where appropriate.
- Change the font to compare different check-mark designs.
The character’s identity comes from Unicode, but its visible design comes from the font and rendering platform. Therefore, ✓ may look slightly different in different fonts or after a document is opened on another computer. The emoji-style ✅ can be especially different because some systems render it as a colorful emoji.
Windows desktop checkbox controls can also expose size, color, border, and display settings through their properties, although the available options depend on the Word platform and version.
Automatically insert a check mark with AutoCorrect
If you use the same symbol repeatedly, create a short trigger such as ;check and let Word replace it with ✓.
Windows desktop Word
- Select File > Options > Proofing.
- Select AutoCorrect Options.
- On the AutoCorrect tab, make sure Replace text as you type is enabled.
- Enter
;checkin the Replace box. - Enter or paste ✓ in the With box.
- Select Add, then select OK.
A semicolon-prefixed trigger is useful because it is unlikely to occur accidentally in ordinary writing. You can use ;heavycheck for ✔ or ;boxcheck for ☑.
Also popular on Amazon
- 𝐄𝐫𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝟕-𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠: This TONOS document holder for desk offers 7 adjustable viewing positions for typing, reading, studying, proofreading, and transcription. Use it as a copyholder, page holder, document holder stand, paper stand for desk, or standing clipboard to keep reference pages upright and easy to follow.
- 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 & 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬: Use this versatile desktop stand as a book holder, book page holder, sheet holder, clipboard stand, recipe holder, or recipe book stand. It keeps worksheets, documents, books, music sheets, and recipes visible while helping organize your workspace and everyday office desk accessories.
- 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 & 𝐀𝐁𝐒 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝: Made with a durable stainless steel backplate and ABS components, this document holder stand features a wide stable base and bottom support arms for papers, catalogs, worksheets, and books. A practical addition to office supplies, secretary office supplies, teacher supplies, and everyday desk organization.
- 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 & 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞: Measuring approximately 9.05"W x 12.08"H with a 2.48" base depth, this foldable copyholder stores easily in a drawer, shelf, cabinet, or bag. Its compact design works well for home offices, classrooms, libraries, dorms, and homeschool essentials without taking over your desk.
- 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥, 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 & 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: Ideal for students, teachers, secretaries, and professionals, this hands-free paper holder for desk supports note-taking, data entry, lesson planning, reading, and studying. A useful choice for school supplies, back to school supplies, classroom essentials, classroom supplies, teacher must haves, college school supplies, and school essentials.
Mac Word
Open Word’s AutoCorrect preferences, add the same replacement, and save it. The precise preferences labels can vary by Word for Mac release.
Desktop AutoCorrect entries can be available across Office applications that support the feature. Word for the web can apply AutoCorrect behavior, but it does not let users add or remove entries from the AutoCorrect list. Add the replacement in desktop Word instead. Microsoft documents these limits in Add or remove AutoCorrect entries in Word.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Assign a custom keyboard shortcut
Desktop Word also lets you assign a keyboard shortcut to a frequently used symbol:
- Select File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
- Select Customize beside Keyboard shortcuts.
- Find the relevant symbol or symbol command.
- Click in the shortcut field and enter an unused key combination.
- Select Assign, then close the dialogs.
Choose the shortcut carefully. Assigning a combination that already has a function can remove or replace its original assignment. For occasional use, AutoCorrect or copy and paste is usually easier. Microsoft’s keyboard-shortcut guide covers the customization process.
Fix common check-mark problems
| Problem | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The mark appears as an empty square | The selected font does not contain the glyph, or Word cannot render it. | Select the mark and try Segoe UI Symbol. You can also reopen Insert > Symbol > More Symbols and choose a font that visibly contains the character. |
| Alt+X produces the wrong character | The code is not the intended hexadecimal value, or Word is interpreting adjacent text. | Use 2713, 2714, or 2611 as appropriate. Select only the code before pressing Alt+X; do not include the U+ prefix. |
| Alt+0252 does nothing | Wingdings is not selected, there is no numeric keypad, Num Lock is off, or the number row was used. | Select Wingdings and use the numeric keypad with Num Lock enabled, or use the Symbol dialog, Unicode Alt+X, or copy and paste instead. |
| The check mark turns into a letter | A legacy Wingdings mapping is being displayed in another font or the font is missing. | Reapply the original symbol font, or replace the legacy character with Unicode ✓ or ✔. |
| The mark looks different after pasting | Source formatting came with the character, or Word substituted a different font. | Use Paste Text Only where available, then select the mark and apply a suitable font in the destination document. |
| The checkbox cannot be clicked | It is a static character such as ☑ or a symbol bullet. | Replace it with Word for the web’s Checklist feature or desktop Word’s Check Box Content Control. |
| Custom bullets are unavailable | Word for the web does not support creating custom bullets. | Use the built-in web checklist, paste static box characters, or open the file in desktop Word. |
| You cannot add an AutoCorrect entry online | Word for the web can use AutoCorrect but does not manage the entry list. | Open the document in desktop Word and add the replacement there. |
Fonts contain different character sets, so a missing glyph does not necessarily mean the code is wrong. Microsoft’s general symbol-insertion guidance recommends changing the font when the desired symbol is not available.
Other ways to insert the mark
Windows Character Map
If Word’s Symbol dialog or Unicode conversion is inconvenient, use the built-in Windows Character Map:
- Open Character Map from the Windows Start menu.
- Choose a font such as Segoe UI Symbol.
- Select the check mark.
- Select Copy.
- Paste it into Word.
Character Map shows the characters available in the selected font and copies them to another application. It is a useful fallback when a keyboard lacks a numeric keypad. Microsoft provides additional guidance for inserting symbols and Unicode characters.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWord on iPhone, iPad, or Android
On a mobile device, use the device keyboard’s symbol options or copy and paste ✓, ✔, or ☑. The desktop Symbol dialog and desktop Alt+X workflow are not the dependable mobile methods. Microsoft’s mobile Word guidance covers the available touch-keyboard and symbol-entry options.
Quick reference
| Goal | Best method |
|---|---|
| Insert one ordinary check mark | Copy and paste ✓ |
| Insert a portable check mark on Windows desktop | Type 2713, then press Alt+X |
| Insert a heavy check mark | Type 2714, then press Alt+X, or use ✔ |
| Insert a checked box as static text | Type 2611, then press Alt+X, or use ☑ |
| Create a printed checklist | Use Home > Bullets > Define New Bullet with a box symbol in desktop Word |
| Create a clickable list in Word for the web | Use Home > Paragraph > Checklist or Ctrl+, |
| Create a clickable desktop form checkbox | Enable Developer, then select Check Box Content Control |
| Insert the mark repeatedly | Create an AutoCorrect entry such as ;check → ✓ |
These instructions reflect the current U.S.-English desktop and web labels documented for recent Word releases, including Microsoft 365 and Word 2024. Older editions, localized builds, Word for Mac, Word for the web, and mobile Word may display slightly different commands.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Use ✓ for a normal static mark, 2713 followed by Alt+X for quick Unicode insertion in desktop Word, and Home > Checklist or Developer > Check Box Content Control when the box must be clickable.
