How to Type the British Pound Symbol in Microsoft Word

Are you tired of struggling to find the British pound symbol (￡) in Microsoft Word? Whether you're writing a financial report, or simply putting the final touches on a document, here’s a comprehensive guide to inserting the pound symbol without breaking a sweat.

Getting Started

The British pound symbol, or GBP, is commonly used in documents and financial reports to denote the official currency of the United Kingdom. Here are four different methods to insert this symbol quickly and seamlessly in your Microsoft Word document.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Place your cursor where you want the pound symbol to appear. Press Ctrl Shift 4 to insert the pound symbol (￡).

This method is straightforward and can be done in seconds. Just ensure your cursor is positioned where you want the symbol and hit the shortcut keys!

Method 2: Using the Symbol Menu

Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon. Click on Symbols on the far right. Select More Symbols to expand the selection. In the Symbol dialog box, search for the pound symbol (￡) or click on it in the list to select it. Click Insert and then close the dialog.

This method is a bit more visual and allows you to explore other symbols as well, but it’s still quick and straightforward.

Method 3: Alt Code (Windows)

Make sure your Num Lock is on. Hold down the Alt key and type 0163 on the numeric keypad. Release the Alt key, and the pound symbol (￡) should appear.

This method works seamlessly on Windows systems with a numeric keypad, making it an excellent choice if you are used to using alt codes.

Method 4: Mac Keyboard Shortcut

Place your cursor where you want the pound symbol to appear. Press Option 3 to insert the pound symbol (￡).

The Mac shortcut is even simpler, but if you're not familiar with it, just remember to press this combination, and you’re good to go!

Additional Tips

It's not just the pound symbol that you can insert this way! Microsoft Word makes it easy to enter many special characters and symbols. One example is the use of the Ctrl key with diacriticals. For instance, holding down the Ctrl key, pressing the - (hyphen), releasing, and then pressing l can produce a different symbol. Experimentation will help you find the symbols that work best for you!

To access the pound symbol quickly, go to the Insert tab and click on the Symbols dropdown. From there, you can often find the pound symbol (GBP) on the first page of the dialogue box. Experiment with the symbols to find out which ones work best for your needs.

By using these methods, you can make entering special characters in Microsoft Word a breeze. So, the next time you need to include the British pound symbol in your document, you'll know exactly what to do!