Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Typing Check Marks into Excel.
It is not unusual to use an Excel worksheet to create different types of checklists and forms that are used by other people. When you are developing your checklist, you may want to actually put a check mark into a cell. There are several ways you can go about doing this. Both methods involve changing the font applied to a cell and then typing the character you want in the cell.
For instance, try these steps:
Figure 1. The Character Map accessory.
This is quite a few steps to put in a simple check mark. There is a simpler way, however, if you simply remember that you need to pick a font that contains check marks, and then put in the character to produce that check mark.
When it comes to fonts containing check marks, there are quite a few. The appearance of the check mark will depend on the font you use. The following information shows what you would type (on the keyboard) in various fonts to achieve a check mark:
| Character to Type | Font to Use | |
|---|---|---|
| a | Marlett | |
| a | Webdings | |
| b | Marlett | |
| C | Erilogo | |
| P | Wingdings 2 | |
| Alt+129 | Wingdings | |
| Alt+0214 | Symbol | |
| Alt+0252 | Wingdings |
For those instances where an Alt combination is mentioned, you simply need to hold down the Alt key as you type the three or four numbers on the keypad.
There are undoubtedly numberless other character/font combinations that will result in a check mark in a cell. If you want to do your own exploring, you can use the Character Map accessory to look around through different fonts to find out what is available. (You can also find different fonts containing check marks at some Web sites, such as www.dingbatpages.com.)
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (11474) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Typing Check Marks into Excel.
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2020-03-16 10:34:35
MinBee
this seems like a lot of work either way. Why don't you just select Insert > Symbol, then scroll to an available checkmark and select it. Better yet, go to macros start a macro and then do the above step. Then you would have your symbol with one key combination always.
2016-04-20 09:22:46
=IF(ISBLANK(B2)," ",IF(B2=0,"","X"))
IN THE SECOND IF STATEMENT, I NEED A CHECK MARK BETWEEN THE "". I CAN PUT A C THERE FOR CORRECT BUT I WOULD RATHER USE A CHECK MARK.
2015-11-16 08:22:56
ribit
I was asked to set up a system that allowed users to click into a cell and it changed to a tick, if they clicked again it changed into a cross, and clicking a third time blanked the cell. After formatting an area of the sheet as Wingdings I used this simple routine to perform the required task.
If ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "" Then
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "þ"
ElseIf ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "þ" Then
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = "ý"
Else
ActiveCell.FormulaR1C1 = ""
End If
2015-11-15 19:24:28
Stewart Borowski
What happens if you utilise a font that is not available on the client/target system? Will it generate one of the rectangular 'system char' things? looks a bit like " [] ". My concern is that displaying the sheet on another OS (Mac or *nix rather than Win, for example) may not display the chosen character correctly.
2015-11-15 11:22:26
Tim Coddington
I think this person may want to add a checkbox control. Here is a helpful article on that ...
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Add-a-check-box-option-button-or-toggle-button-to-a-worksheet-1b4a1c18-e99a-4a49-abc5-ca2c120f426f
2015-11-15 07:10:57
Maarten Daams
I use the square root symbol as check mark. This way, you are font-independent. (Can be found under Mathematical Operators). I've defined an autocorrect, when I type "xr" this is replaced by the square root/check mark.
2015-11-14 16:42:14
Tom Edge
Useful tip - thanks. It would also be useful to know how to change the Un-checked checkbox into a checked box (for a distributed task list, or for an indicator that something was completed) Guessing that it might involve some VBA using onClick and changing the character.
Thanks.
Tom
2015-11-14 15:23:42
GRH
Quicker and easier:
1. On the "Insert" ribbon tab, click "Symbol"
2. Dialog box appears, scroll down and click the checkmark
3. Click Insert!
2015-11-14 12:50:59
John Downes
I've been using the Monotype Sorts font for years. Typing a "4" in that font gives you a nice big tick. "6" gives you a cross.
2015-11-14 12:31:14
Chris Finn
For a tick, I have always used 'a' in Marlett, which is easy to remember. It's also a nice bold tick.
For a cross, I generally just use an X in the current font (unless using an 'odd' font).
2015-11-14 06:16:19
Akporhuarho Samuel
It was excellent.
2015-11-14 06:02:56
Mark Gerdes
Great tip - always wondered how to get ticks and crosses in a spreadsheet. Thanks!
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
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