Typing Diameter Symbol [Ø] in Word/Excel – slash O - Software Accountant (2024)

The diameter symbol [Ø], frequently referred to as “slashed O,” “O with stroke,” or “O with slash,” features a standard “O” character crossed by a diagonal slash. Unlike more commonly utilized keyboard symbols, this particular character isn’t directly accessible through a simple keystroke.

In this guide, we will explore various methods to insert the diameter symbol into your Office suite documents, covering Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Whether you’re working on technical documents, presentations, or spreadsheets, this tutorial will provide you with the necessary steps to seamlessly add this symbol to your work.

Diameter Symbol Quick Help

Ø

To easily insert the diameter symbol (Ø) on Word: using the keyboard, press Ctrl+/, then press Shift+O. This should give you the diameter symbol or O with slash through it. Alternatively, press down the Alt key, then press the symbol’s Alt code – 0216. Use the numeric keypad for the Alt code.

If you want to easily insert the diameter symbol (Ø) in Excel: double click in the cell that will contain the symbol. Press and hold the Alt key, and using the numeric keypad, type the symbol’s Alt code which is 0216. This won’t work if you use the number keys at the top of your keyboard. This also works in PowerPoint.

You can also insert the Diameter Symbol in Excel by entering this formula in a cell: =CHAR(216).

To copy and paste this symbol, select it and press Ctrl+C to copy. The switch over to your document and press Ctrl+V to paste. You can also click on the “copy and paste” button below.

There are several ways you can perform this task in the various Office applications such as Excel, Word or PowerPoint. I’ll go through each one of them one after the other.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Type Diameter Symbol with Keyboard Shortcut – MS Word

One of the fastest ways to insert this symbol is to use the keyboard shortcut.

The keyboard shortcut for the diameter symbol is Ctrl+/, Shift+O.

To use this shortcut, please obey the instructions below:

• Place the insertion pointer at where you want to insert the dimeter ( or Slash O) symbol.
• Press Ctrl + / on your keyboard. At this point, nothing will happen until you perform the next step.
• Press Ctrl + O (the letter O)
• If you press these hotkeys sequentially, the symbol (Ø) will be inserted successfully into your Word document.

This is how you may use the keyboard shortcut to insert the Ø symbol in Word.

Typing Diameter symbol in Word/Excel using Alt Code – MS Word / Excel

The diameter symbol alt code is Alt + 0216

To insert the diameter symbol in Word or Excel using the Alt Code:

• Turn on the Num Lock key on your keyboard.
• Hold down the Alt key.
• Type the alt code (0216) on the numeric keypad.
• Release the Alt key. The symbol (Ø) will be inserted in your Word document.
• If you are using a laptop without the numeric keypad, press Fn + NumLk keys to turn on the Num Lock function.

This is just another one of the several ways you can get the diameter symbol into your Word document.

Using the Alt Code method, you can insert this symbol in Word, Excel and even PowerPoint.

Using the insert symbol dialog box – MS Word

This approach requires you to go through a number of steps to get the job done. But once you get the symbol into your document, you can simply copy and paste it when you need it.

Without further ado, follow the instructions below to insert O with slash symbol in Word:

• Click on the Insert tab.
• In the Symbols group, click on Symbol>More Symbol. The Symbols dialog box appears.
• In the Font drop-down list, choose (normal text).
• Choose ASCII (decimal) in the From drop-down list.

• From the library of Symbols, search for the Slash O symbol and click on it to select.
• Then click the Insert button to insert the symbol.
• Close the Symbols dialog.

How to insert the diameter symbol in Excel

Using the alt code, you can also insert this slash O or diameter symbol in Excel.

To do so, obey the following steps:

• Turn on the Num Lock key on your keyboard.
• Double click the cell you want to insert the symbol.
• While holding down the Alt key, press 0216 (i.e. the diameter symbol alt code)
• Now release the Alt key. The diameter symbol will be inserted into the cell.
• If you are using a laptop without the numeric keypad, press Fn + NumLk keys to turn on the Num Lock function.

Alternatively, to insert Diameter Symbol in Excel, simply enter this formula =CHAR(216) in a cell and press the Enter key. The formula will return this symbol Ø.

Slash O symbol – Copy and Paste

Another simple approach to get the diameter symbol (slash O) is to copy and paste it into your work.

A simple web search can give you the symbol for you to copy.

However, below is the diameter symbol if you wish to copy and paste it into your work.

Ø

Diameter symbol in PowerPoint

To insert the diameter symbol in PowerPoint:

• Place the insertion pointer at where you want to insert the symbol.
• Turn on the NUM LOCK key.
• Press and hold the Alt key.
• While still holding on to the Alt key, type the symbol’s alt code: 0216
• Then release the Alt key.

As soon as you release the Alt key, the symbol will be inserted into your PowerPoint document.

Alternatively, on the Insert tab, click on the Symbol icon to display the symbol dialog box. From the library of symbols, search for the diameter symbol and double click on it to get it into your document.

How to Insert the Diameter Symbol in Word using the Equation Tool

Microsoft Word provides a vast array of tools designed to facilitate the creation of professional and academic documents. Among these tools is the Equation Tool, a powerful feature tailored for the insertion of mathematical and scientific symbols, including the Diameter symbol.

This section will guide you through the process of inserting the Diameter symbol in Word using the Equation Tool.

# Step 1: Open Equation Tool

1. Open your Microsoft Word document.
2. Place your cursor at the desired insertion point in your document.
3. Navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
4. Click on Equation in the Symbols group. A drop-down menu will appear.
5. Select Insert New Equation from the dropdown. This action opens the Equation Tools Design tab.

# Step 2: Insert Diameter Symbol

• In the Equation Tools Design tab, locate the Symbols group.
• Look for the Diameter symbol (∅) and click on it. The symbol will be inserted into your document at the cursor’s position.

The same steps above will work in MS Excel as well.

The Equation Tool in Microsoft Word and Excel is a versatile feature that simplifies the insertion of mathematical and scientific symbols, including the diameter symbol.

By following these straightforward steps, you can enhance your documents and spreadsheets with precise mathematical notation, making your work more professional and academically rigorous.

Type slash O (diameter symbol) with AutoCorrect – MS Word

With this approach, you create your own shortcode for this symbol (i.e. slash O). This way, whenever you type the shortcode you assigned, you get the symbol into your Word document.

For instance, you can assign DSYM to the symbol. Thus, whenever you type DSYM in your document, Microsoft Word will convert it into a diameter symbol using its autocorrect feature.

Without further ado, below are the steps to assign type the diameter symbol in Word using your own shortcuts:

• Click on the Insert tab.
• In the Symbols group, click Symbol>More Symbols. The Symbols dialog box appears.
• Locate the diameter or slash O symbol, then click to select it.
• After selecting it, click on the AutoCorrect button.

The AutoCorrect dialog box appears. In this dialog box, enter the following:

• Replace: DSYM
• With: Ø

• Click Add then click on OK.

After performing all the above steps, Microsoft Word will automatically insert the diameter symbol into your document whenever you type DSYM.

However, there some things you should take note of when using the autocorrect approach to type the slash with O sign.

• This is case sensitive. If you assign DSYM using the uppercase letters, it’ll only work for uppercase. Meaning, if you type dsym (in lowercase), MS Word will not recognize it as the code you assign to the slashed O symbol, and hence will not convert it to any symbol.
• Another thing to note is that, if there is any text attached before or after the AutoCorrect text, MS Word will not recognize it, unless you type the autocorrect text alone or separate it from any other text. For example, if you XDSYM, it will not convert to the diameter symbol. But if you type X DSYM, it will get converted because there is a space that separates the X from the DSYM.

These are the various ways you may insert or type the diameter symbol (Ø) in Word and other office applications.

Conclusion

In wrapping up our exploration of inserting the diameter symbol (Ø) across various Office applications, we’ve navigated through a multitude of pathways—from keyboard shortcuts and Alt codes to the insert symbol dialog box and beyond.

These methods, tailored for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, equip you with the flexibility to enhance your documents, presentations, and spreadsheets with this essential symbol, ensuring precision in technical and academic works.

We’ve provided quick tips for immediate insertion and detailed steps for those preferring a more hands-on approach, including the innovative use of the Equation Tool for a professional touch.

We hope this guide has been instrumental in simplifying the process, making the insertion of the diameter symbol a seamless part of your document editing routine.

Thank you for journeying with us through this tutorial, and may your documents now effortlessly include the Ø symbol, enhancing the quality and precision of your work.