How to Insert a Check Mark in Excel: 5 Methods

Learn how to insert a check mark (tick symbol) in Excel using 5 different methods.

We all know the value of a good old-fashioned check mark, the widely known character for ticking boxes, confirming completion of tasks, and used in managing lists the world over.

It's pretty easy to insert this character into word documents and word-based programs, but what about something like Excel, a data-based program? In this article, we will explore 5 different ways of inserting a check mark into this program, ranked easiest to hardest.

1. Copy & Paste

This one is bang on simple. Just like you might for complex phrases or formulas, you can simply copy and paste (Command C + Command V on Mac, Ctrl C + Ctrl V on Windows) the check mark character into the cell you need to tick off. Simple copy and paste this character below:

Easy-peasy!

2. Symbols

Excel, just like word, has a list of symbols where all supported characters are listed, ready to click on and insert into the corresponding cell. You can find the symbol dialogue by going Insert > Symbols > Symbol Path.

In the Symbol dialog box, choose Wingdings from the Font options, and scroll down to find the check mark character. Select the check mark and click the Insert button. Alternatively, you can also type in '252' into the character code box after selecting the Wingdings font. Knowing the symbol codes can speed up this process a lot, so if you use check marks frequently, just memorize this one!

Related: How to Insert Music Symbols in Microsoft Word and Excel

3. CHAR function

The CHAR function is a simple but effective one, that converts numbers and numeric codes into the equivalent ANSI (American National Standards Institute codes) character. For example, you could type:

=CHAR(252)

And it would return a corresponding character for the selected font type.

In this example, with Wingdings selected, typing =CHAR(252) would return a check mark as the character. Just make sure that you have this font selected before trying this method.

4. Alt Code

This method is very similar to the above method, just using a slightly different workflow. For this one, all you need to do is hold the Alt button (same as the option key on Mac devices) and type in the code below.

Seeing as the check mark symbol doesn't exist in all fonts or font families, you'll need to set a cell's font type to Wingdings before doing this. While holding the alt key, type out 0252—which is the same code as method number 3—and bingo! You'll have a checkmark right there in the cell you entered the code to.

5. Conditional Formatting

Conditional formatting is the process of adding rules or conditions so that when these conditions are met, a certain action is taken by Excel. You can do this to add icons to cells based on cell values and the rules you've set up. For example, you can set a rule that says “if the cell is equal to A, then insert a check mark”.

Related: Automatically Format Data in Excel Spreadsheets With Conditional Formatting

To apply these rules, follow the instructions below.

First, select the range that you might want to place check marks in. Then head to Home > Conditional Formatting > Icon Sets and select the set with a check mark in it. By default, check marks are set to trigger with ones (1) and crosses with zeros (0). The default rule also calculates the range or percentiles of the range you selected, and places check marks in the upper 3rd of your values.

To update this, click Manage Rules, located underneath the Conditional Formatting menu, and go to the Conditional Formatting Rules Manager and edit it as you please. You can change symbols, the numbers that check marks will go to, hide values, only show icons, and more.

Check Marks Are Highly Useful Symbols in Excel

Whether you're looking to mark off tasks, check off certain cells in a spreadsheet, communicate the status of jobs to teammates, or managing a list, the check mark is your one-size-fits-all symbol for completion.

This guide has shown you five different ways to insert them into an Excel spreadsheet, and hopefully from here, you can start making off tasks like a pro!

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