how to make a resume symbol in word

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How to type a dash over the e in "resume".

You know how important it is to look professional when you're job hunting. The labor market is intensely competitive, and the average duration of unemployment is at about 25 weeks. In this kind of environment, the merest slip of the keyboard can put your resume in the rejects pile.

So, how do you properly spell résumé? With two accents.

You probably know it's a French word, but did you know that the "e" with a line over it is called an "accent aigu?" Well, it is, and it's not hard to use, thanks to modern software that has you covered. There's even a cheat that can help you out if your keyboard is not cooperating, or you have exactly five minutes to meet the deadline.

How to Add the Dash Over the E in Résumé in MS Word

There are two standard ways to add the accent aigu in Microsoft Word (and one cheat).

The first way to add the accent aigu (or dash above the E) is to use the Symbols menu. Go to the "Insert" tab on the Word ribbon. At the far right is the Symbols icon. Click on the "Symbols" icon to open the Symbols and special characters drop-down menu. At the bottom, click "More Symbols." Choose subset "Latin-1 Supplement," which is near the top of the list. It looks like a list of Latin symbols. Select the "e" with the proper accent.

The second way is much easier, but you need to memorize it. The keyboard shortcut is to hold down the "Control" key and hit the apostrophe, then type "e." It's simple once you get the hang of it and works for capital letters as well as lowercase letters.

How to Add the Dash Over the E in Résumé in OpenOffice

OpenOffice is a popular alternative to MS Office. It includes a word processor similar to Word. When you open it and go to the "Special Characters" section, you can see that it works almost the same as Word when it comes to inserting accented characters. There are advanced options if you want, like switching your keyboard control software between languages, but that's a lot of fuss for just two accents.

How to Add the Dash Over the E in Résumé in Google Docs

Google Docs is even easier to work with because you have only one standard option (and one cheat). In your document control bar, go to "Insert," and then scroll down to "Special Characters." When you get the pop-up box, choose "Latin" in the middle dialogue box. Keyboard shortcuts don't work for accents in Google Docs, although they do help with a lot of other functions.

How to Add the Dash Over the E in Résumé in LibreOffice

LibreOffice is a popular, free and open source suite of office tools that includes a powerful word processor. LibreOffice resembles Word when it comes to inserting accents. It's the same "Insert," "Symbol/SpecialCharacter" process.

An Easy Cheat Way to Add the Dash Over the E in Résumé

You may be meticulous and eager to learn, but sometimes you don't want to pick up a new skill, master the software, or memorize keyboard shortcuts: You just want to put the E with the line over it in your résumé and send it out ASAP. Here's how you do that with the minimum of muss and fuss.

Open Notepad or some other easy plain text editor. Don't use word processing software for this; it'll just mess things up. Using the plain text editor removes all the formatting such as font and size.

Search the web for the term "Resume." The first result will probably be the Wikipedia entry for the word, and the little snippet contains the word with the accents above the two E's. Copy it and paste it into your text editor. Then, copy and paste from there into your actual résumé.

This is one cheat that won't get you a failing grade.

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• Statista: Average Duration of Unemployment in the U.S.
• OpenOffice Forums: French Accents

Lorraine Murphy has been writing on business, self-employment, and marketing since the turn of the 21st century. Her credits include Vanity Fair, the Guardian, Slate, Salon, Occupational Pursuit Magazine, the Daily Download, and Business in Vancouver. She has been a judge and mentor at Vancouver Startup Weekend multiple times, and is an in-demand keynote speaker.

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Resume Icons: Complete Guide to Using Them and How in 2024

As a job seeker, you need to stand out in a sea of resumes, and one way to do that is by incorporating eye-catching elements into your application. This is where the use of resume icons comes in. In this article, we will provide a complete guide to using resume icons, including their definition, importance, and advantages in job applications.

Resume icons refer to small images or symbols that are used to represent various sections or details in a resume. These icons can be used to replace boring bullet points, making your resume more visually appealing and easier to read. Examples of icons that can be used in a resume include phone icons for contact information, envelope icons for email addresses, globe icons for websites or social media handles, and many more.

Importance of Resume Icons in Job Applications

With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, it’s important to leave a positive first impression on potential employers. The use of resume icons can help you achieve this by making your application stand out from the hundreds of others that employers receive. Not only do they serve as visual aids that break up long paragraphs of text, but they also help convey information and make it easier for recruiters to find what they’re looking for.

Advantages of Using Resume Icons in Job Applications

Using icons in resumes has several advantages, including:

• Increased readability:  Icons break up text and make it visually appealing, making resumes easier to read and scan through.
• Attention-grabbing:  Using icons can catch the attention of recruiters and make your application stand out from the rest.
• Improved communication:  Icons can convey information more efficiently than text, making complicated concepts easier to understand.
• Professionalism:  A well-designed resume that uses icons can showcase your creativity and attention to detail, giving the impression that you’re a professional who takes their job applications seriously.

The use of resume icons can provide a range of benefits to job seekers, making it easier for employers to find the information they’re looking for and setting you apart from other applicants. Keep in mind, however, that icons should be used judiciously and appropriately, ensuring that they enhance rather than detract from the overall appearance of your resume.

Types of Resume Icons

When it comes to creating a visually appealing and dynamic resume, icons can be a game changer. Icons can help draw attention to important sections or skills, and can communicate information quickly and efficiently. In this section, we will explore six different types of icons that can be used on a resume.

A. Social Media Icons

In today’s digital age, it is increasingly important to showcase your social media presence on your resume. Social media icons can be used to highlight your profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. This allows potential employers to learn more about you and your professional interests, while also highlighting your digital savviness.

B. Skill Icons

Skill icons are a great way to highlight your top skills and expertise. Icons can be used to represent everything from proficiency in specific software to industry-specific skills. By using visual representations of your skills, you can make a strong impact and quickly communicate your areas of expertise to potential employers.

C. Education Icons

Education icons can be used to convey important information about your academic background. Icons can represent degrees or certifications, and can be useful for highlighting academic achievements that may be relevant to your desired job or industry.

D. Contact Icons

Contact icons can be used to make it easy for potential employers to reach out to you. Icons can be used to represent your email address, phone number, or even your physical address. This can help streamline the communication process and make it easy for potential employers to get in touch with you.

E. Experience Icons

Experience icons can be used to showcase your professional experience in a visually compelling way. Icons can represent specific job roles or industries, and can help highlight the breadth of your experience. By using icons, you can draw attention to key details of your work history and make an impact in a crowded job market.

F. Language Icons

Language icons can be used to showcase your proficiency in different languages. Icons can represent specific languages or language proficiency levels, and can be a great way to highlight your international experience or language skills. By using icons, you can communicate your language skills quickly and efficiently, which can be especially useful in global industries.

Icons can be a powerful tool for creating a dynamic and visually appealing resume. By using icons to represent your skills, experience, and other important details, you can make a strong impact and stand out to potential employers. Whether you are showcasing your social media profiles, highlighting your language skills, or representing key aspects of your work history, icons can be a valuable addition to any resume.

How to Choose Resume Icons

When it comes to creating a visually appealing and effective resume, nothing can beat the power of well-chosen icons. Using icons can make your resume look more professional and visually attractive, while also quickly conveying important information to recruiters and hiring managers.

But how do you choose the right icons for your resume? Here are some essential tips to help you make the right choices:

A. Know Your Industry

The first and most important thing to consider when choosing resume icons is your industry. Different industries have different expectations and standards when it comes to resumes, so you should choose icons that fit in with your particular field.

For example, if you work in a creative industry like graphic design or marketing, you might choose more expressive and colorful icons that show off your creativity. However, if you work in a more traditional industry like finance or law, you might want to stick to simple and classic icons that convey a sense of professionalism and seriousness.

B. Consider Your Personal Branding

Your resume is essentially a reflection of your personal branding, so your icons should match your personal brand as well. If you have a particular color scheme or design style that you use in your other branding materials, you might want to choose icons that complement those choices.

For example, if you have a bold and modern personal brand, you might choose icons with sharp angles and bright colors. On the other hand, if your personal brand is more minimalist and understated, you might choose icons with simple lines and muted colors.

C. Match Your Icons to Your Job Requirements

Another important consideration is how well your icons match the requirements of the job you’re applying for. If the job requires specific skills or qualifications, you should choose icons that represent those skills and qualifications.

For example, if the job requires experience with Adobe Creative Suite, you might choose icons that represent those specific software programs. Or if the job requires excellent communication skills, you might choose icons that represent communication, such as speech bubbles or phones.

D. Stick to Simple and Uniform Icons

While it may be tempting to use flashy and complex icons to make your resume stand out, it’s generally better to stick to simple and uniform icons. Simple icons are easier to read, and they convey important information more effectively.

In addition, using uniform icons throughout your resume creates a more cohesive and professional look. So, try to choose a consistent set of icons to use throughout your resume, rather than mixing and matching different styles.

E. Avoid Common Mistakes When Choosing Icons

Finally, there are a few common mistakes you should avoid when choosing resume icons. For example, you should avoid using icons that are too small or difficult to read, as they will make your resume look cluttered and hard to read.

You should also avoid using icons that are not relevant to the job or industry you’re applying to, or that are outdated or overused.

How to Create Your Own Resume Icons

Adding icons to your resume is a great way to make it stand out and showcase your creativity. If you can’t find the icons that perfectly represent your skills and experiences, creating your own custom icons is a great solution. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create your own resume icons.

A. Determine the Icons You Need

Before you start creating your icons, you need to identify what icons you actually need. Begin by examining your skills, experience, and qualifications, and make a list of the important skills and accomplishments that you want to highlight in your resume.

Once you have a comprehensive list of the skills and experiences you want to promote, identify the keywords that could be used to represent them. For example, if you want to showcase your communication skills, you could use an icon of a speech bubble. If you want to highlight your leadership qualities, you could use an icon of a trophy.

Remember to keep it simple and minimalist. Only choose the icons that are relevant to your industry, and avoid using icons that are too obscure or confusing. It’s important for your icons to be easily understandable and complement your resume, not distract from it.

B. Choose the Style of Your Icons

Once you have identified the icons you need, it’s time to choose the style that will represent you best. The style of your icons should complement your resume design and match your personal brand. You can choose to go for a hand-drawn style or use a graphic design software to create a clean and professional look.

You also want to ensure the colors you choose will match your overall resume color scheme, creating a cohesive look.

C. Create Your Icons Using Design Software

Now that you have a list of icons and a style chosen, it’s time to make them come to life. Using design software, such as Adobe Illustrator, will give you more control over the final image quality and ensure its scalability.

Alternatively, you can create your icons using tools like Canva or Figma, which have easy-to-use icon-making features.

Start by selecting the basic shape that represents your icon, with the help of tools like the rectangle, ellipse, or polygon. Then, customize it with colors and the additional details that represent the icon. Stay true to the style and color scheme that you have chosen.

D. Save and Export Your Icons

Once you have finished designing your icons, it’s important to save and export them in the right format. Export your icons into a scalable file format such as SVG or PNG for better quality when rendered in different sizes.

Keep your icon files organized, and label them correctly, so that you can easily locate them when updating your resume or portfolio.

Creating your own resume icons can be a fun and effective way to grab attention and showcase your creative flair.

How to Optimize Resume Icons for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

When it comes to crafting your resume, it’s important to consider how it will be scanned and processed by applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems are designed to quickly filter through resumes and identify the most qualified candidates for a position. Unfortunately, if your resume is not optimized for ATS, it might not make it through the screening process.

A. Understanding ATS

To optimize your resume for ATS, it’s important to understand how these systems work. ATS analyze resumes based on specific keywords, phrases, and formatting. If your resume doesn’t contain these elements, it might be overlooked by the system. Additionally, ATS may struggle with reading certain types of icons, such as those that are too complex or non-standard.

B. Avoiding Issues with ATS and Icons

The best way to avoid issues with ATS and icons is to keep your resume simple and straightforward. Stick to industry-standard fonts like Times New Roman or Arial, and use a standard bullet point symbol rather than a specialized icon. Additionally, be mindful of font size and formatting, as some ATS may struggle to read text that is too small or otherwise challenging to parse.

C. Optimization Tips

If you are determined to use icons on your resume, there are steps you can take to optimize them for ATS. First, choose icons that are simple and easy to read. Avoid complex designs or images that might be misinterpreted by the system. Additionally, make sure to embed the icons directly into your resume rather than linking to external sources. Finally, test your resume with different ATS to ensure that it is being properly scanned and processed.

Optimizing your resume for ATS is an important step in securing a job interview. By understanding the technology behind these systems and using best practices for formatting and design, you can help ensure that your resume gets noticed by employers and hiring managers.

Examples of Good Resume Icon Usage

A. resume icon examples for different job titles.

Using icons in your resume can be a great way to catch the reader’s attention and make your qualifications stand out. Here are some examples of icons you could use to highlight different job titles:

• Marketing Manager: Use an icon of a megaphone or social media logo to highlight your expertise in marketing and communications.
• Graphic Designer: Use an icon of a pencil or paintbrush to represent your design skills.
• Sales Representative: Use an icon of a briefcase or handshake to showcase your sales experience.
• Human Resources Manager: Use an icon of a person or team to highlight your leadership and people management skills.

These are just a few examples – you can get creative with your icon choices to best represent your unique skills and experience.

B. Making a Visual Impact with Resume Icons

Using icons in your resume can add a visual element that makes the document more appealing and engaging to read. They can also help to break up large blocks of text and make important information stand out.

However, it’s important to use icons wisely and strategically. Here are some tips for making a visual impact with resume icons:

• Choose icons that are relevant to your content: Use icons that directly relate to the information you are highlighting. Avoid using icons that are too generic or unrelated.
• Keep it simple: Don’t overwhelm your resume with too many icons. Keep it balanced and use icons sparingly to highlight key points.
• Be consistent: Choose a set of icons that work well together and stick to them throughout your resume.
• Use high-quality icons: Avoid using low-quality, pixelated icons that will detract from the overall professionalism of your resume.

By using icons strategically, you can create a visually appealing and effective resume that will help you stand out from the competition.

Pre-Made Resume Icon Sets

When putting together a resume, every little detail counts. One of the details that can make a big impact is the use of icons. While designing icons from scratch may not be suitable for everyone, pre-made icon sets offer a quick and easy solution. In this section, we will explore the advantages of using pre-made icon sets, popular resume icon sets, and how to choose the right pre-made icon set for you.

A. Advantages of Using Pre-Made Icon Sets

Pre-made icon sets offer a number of advantages that make them a popular choice for many job seekers. For starters, they save time and effort. Instead of having to create every individual icon from scratch, you can simply select the ones that best fit your needs. Additionally, pre-made icon sets ensure consistency in design, ensuring that all icons used in your resume have a cohesive look and feel.

B. Popular Resume Icon Sets and Where to Find Them

There are several popular pre-made icon sets that are commonly used in resumes. Some of the most popular include Font Awesome, Material Design Icons, and Flaticon. These sets offer a wide variety of icons to choose from, ensuring that you can find the perfect icon to represent each skill and experience on your resume.

C. How to Choose the Right Pre-Made Icon Set for You

Choosing the right pre-made icon set can be overwhelming with so many options available. Here are some tips to help you select the perfect set for your resume:

Consider the style: Make sure the icon style matches the overall design and tone of your resume. For example, if your resume has a sleek and modern design, a set like Material Design Icons would be a great choice.

Think about the icons you need: Consider which icons you will need to include on your resume and find a set with those options. For example, if you need icons to represent social media platforms, Flaticon has a wide variety of social media icons to choose from.

Check the licensing: Make sure the icon set you choose is available for commercial use and that you have the proper licensing to use them on your resume.

By using pre-made icon sets in your resume, you can quickly and easily add a professional touch to your document. With so many great options available, it’s easy to find the perfect icon set to represent your unique skills and experiences.

Best Practices for Using Resume Icons

When it comes to adding icons to your resume, there are certain best practices to keep in mind to ensure that they enhance your overall design rather than detracting from it.

A. Proper Placement of Icons

One of the most important considerations when using resume icons is proper placement. Icons should be used to draw attention to important information, but they should never be distracting. Be sure to choose a location that is visually balanced with the rest of your resume, and use icons sparingly to highlight only the most important points.

B. Size and Color Considerations

Another important consideration is the size and color of your icons. Icons should be small enough to be subtle but large enough to be easily recognized. Additionally, color can be used to draw attention and add visual interest, but be sure to use a color scheme that fits with the overall design of your resume.

C. Consistency and Uniformity in Icon Usage

Consistency and uniformity are key when using resume icons. Choose a set of icons that complement each other and use them consistently throughout your resume. This helps create a cohesive and professional look, and makes it easier for the reader to navigate your information.

D. Abiding by Copyright Law when Using Icons

It’s important to keep in mind that many icons are subject to copyright laws. Always be sure to use icons that are either in the public domain or that you have the legal right to use. Otherwise, you could face legal action for copyright infringement.

E. Staying Up-to-Date with Current Design Trends

Social media and technology have drastically influenced the job market and have placed a strong emphasis on the importance of digital and visual elements in resume design. Therefore, it’s important to stay abreast of current design trends to ensure that your resume is visually appealing and up-to-date. Keep an eye on industry blogs, conferences, and forums to stay informed and inspired by cutting-edge design trends.

When using icons in your resume, be sure to consider their proper placement, size and color, consistency and uniformity, and copyright law. Additionally, stay informed about current design trends to make sure your resume design remains modern and engaging. By following these best practices, you can create a resume that is both visually appealing and effective in communicating your skills and qualifications.

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More from ResumeHead

This Is When to Use Icons on a Resume

As you update or write your resume, you may have come across example resumes or resume templates with small pictures or logos on them—maybe an image of a phone next to a phone number or a company logo next to a work experience entry. These images are resume icons, and they’re often used to mark contact information and other key parts of a resume. You may be tempted to add icons to your own resume to help it stand out. But it’s not always a great move.

Should You Use Icons on Your Resume?

“Like any design element, whether or not it’s a good idea to use icons will depend on how you use them,” says Jon Shields, Marketing Manager at Jobscan . “If they serve a purpose and make your resume easier to navigate and read, then it could be a good idea to use icons on your resume.” For example, icons can “make your contact info stand out, which is good!” says Muse career coach Jennifer Smith , a former recruiter and founder of Flourish Careers .

However, if your icons are “only there to serve as visual pizazz, then you’d be better off leaving them off and focusing on the content of your resume,” Shields says. Unless you’re using icons to draw attention to specific information or make your resume easier to read, it’s best to skip them.

The biggest reason not to use resume icons is because they can cause issues with applicant tracking systems (ATSs) that most companies use to screen resumes and sort job applicants. These programs parse resumes into plain text so that they can be easily searched by recruiters and hiring managers. And there are many design elements that ATSs can’t “read” well. Images—like resume icons—are likely to make your resume harder to read for both the ATS itself and the human using one to find job candidates.

Read More: 8 Secrets to Making an ATS-Friendly Resume

Most ATSs allow recruiters and hiring managers to view a resume in two ways: an “applicant profile,” which is the plain-text version of your resume that an ATS has parsed and organized, and a resume preview, which attempts to display the resume the same way it looks before it goes through the ATS. Resume icons can cause problems with both viewing modes. “I’ve seen icons break a resume’s formatting in the resume preview display, making for a more difficult reading experience,” Shields says. “They are also likely to cause parsing errors when an ATS attempts to transfer your resume into a digital applicant profile.”

ATSs cannot read images at all, so the best-case scenario is that they’re skipped over in your digital applicant profile and display correctly in preview mode, and that may not be worth the trade off. “These types of issues are unlikely to cause a rejection, but they won’t endear you to the recruiter,” Shields says.

If you’re worried that a too-plain resume will fail to catch the recruiter’s eye, don’t be. When Smith worked as a recruiter, she says she “mostly just wanted the resume to be easy to read”—and often didn’t notice whether or not a resume had icons at all.

The best time to use resume icons? If you’re sure your resume isn’t going to be viewed in an ATS—for example you’re emailing or handing your resume to a recruiter, hiring manager, or network contact— and that the icons help make your resume easier to read by making your contact information stand out or making your resume look a bit less crowded or dense.

Tips for Using Resume Icons

If you’ve decided to use resume icons, here are some tricks for ensuring that they’re as effective as possible:

• Keep your icons simple. Icons don’t need to be too flashy or fancy. Simple phone, email, location, and social media icons work well, Smith says. You don’t want your icons to be difficult to understand or to distract from the content of your resume. There are a number of sites that have free, simple resume icons, or you can find them already built into Microsoft Word and similar programs.
• Draw attention to key information. Because icons are visually different from text, they’ll naturally draw readers’ attention, so you’ll want to reserve icons for key resume elements such as your contact information, social media accounts (e.g., Linkedin), or section headings.
• But don’t use them instead of section headings. ATSs look for common words and formatting for section headings when parsing your resume, Shields says. If these headings are absent, the ATS might not know how to find your experience, skills, or other vital qualifications. So it’s fine to add a graduation cap icon next to your “Education” heading, but the icon alone won’t do the trick.

The best resume icons on the web

When it comes to designing your resume, it can be a good idea to add some icons to make it look a little more sophisticated and professional.

If you’re wondering where you can find icons for your resume, we’ve rounded up the 7 best resume icon sites on the web (including plenty of free ones) and reviewed them, so you don’t have to.

We’ve rated each of the following icon websites according to price, style, quality and ease-of-use.

Take a look below to find the best icons to add to your resume today.

Resume templates 

What are resume icons?

resume icons are small symbols that you can use on your resume to simplify your information and enhance its readability. resume icons can help your resume look a little more sophisticated and break up those long blocks of text with some symbols.

resume icons will typically be used to indicate personal information, e.g., using a phone icon instead of writing out “phone number” in your resume header . The same applies to email, address, location etc.

While you’re free to use resume icons elsewhere on your resume (such as beside the titles of your former job posts or skills ) we’d always advise you to keep your resume simple and easy-to-read. If extra icons impede your resume’s readability or make it look untidy, leave them out.

1. Iconmonstr

Iconmonstr.com is a great site if you don’t want to pay out of pocket for your resume icons. With over 3000 icons available on their site, Iconmonstr also provides a free license that covers all commercial and non-commercial use. This means that you can use the icons you find on the site on your resume without having to either pay, link back or credit the site.

One downside to this site is that it isn’t highly user-friendly; the icons aren’t divided into logical categories like some other sites, so you’ll need to search yourself for the symbols that you want. For resume icons it should be fairly easy, but it can be a bit of a pain if you don’t know the name of the icon you’re looking for.

Another plus for Iconmonstr is that you can customise their icons, so you can adapt your chosen icons to suit your chosen resume theme or color scheme .

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 9/10 because it’s free to use, with customisable options and high-quality icons.

2. Dry Icons

Dry Icons offer over 6000 icons and vector images, with packs available to download in various niches. The site is pretty easy to use, and you can search for resume icons fairly easily using relevant keywords and phrases in the homepage’s search bar.

The site’s icons are typically free to use, but it’s important to check the individual licensing agreement for each icon, as some require creator credit in exchange for free use. Most of the website’s icons are suitable for both personal and commercial use, so you can use them on your resume no problem.

The main downside to this site is the lack of search filters, meaning there’s no quick way to distinguish between icons that are 100% free to use and those that require author credit in exchange for use. That being said, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a couple of free resume icons with a quick search.

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 8/10 for its wide choice, free use agreement and ease of use – just remember to check the licensing rules when you choose your icons.

3. Graphic Burger

One of the best websites for free icons and images, Graphic Burger offers thousands of free icons and icon packs that you can use on your resume. One major plus for Graphic Burger is that ALL of the icons available on the site are free to use without needing to credit the author.

The site is fairly easy to use, although their search function isn’t adapted to icon searches – Graphic Burger sells lots of printed and designed items, so if you search for “phone icon”, the results won’t be exclusive to icons. You’ll need to scroll and pick one of the packs available, but with so much choice it shouldn’t be much of an issue.

The icons on offer are high-quality and tend to come in sets, so it’s a great site to use for your resume along with any other personal projects.

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 9/10 as icons are free to download and use without crediting the author, with 1 point docked for the lack of icon search function.

4. Icon Finder

If you’re looking for choice and a highly user-friendly site, Icon Finder has over 6 million (yes, million!) icons to download and use on your resume. What’s great about Icon Finder is that the search function comes with applicable filters, meaning you can filter your search by licensing agreement and quickly find free icons to download.

Another great thing about this site is that you don’t need a premium subscription for a one-time use of any premium icon. If there’s a really great icon you want to use but it isn’t free, you can simply pay a one-off fee without having to subscribe or sign up to their service.

The icons on offer on Icon Finder are great quality, and with so much choice, you’ll easily find icons to match your resume style.

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 10/10 because of its easy-to-use website, search filters and wide choice of high-quality icons.

Icons8 offers thousands of resume icon downloads, with a highly functional search system that allows you to find high-quality icons by using appropriate keywords. There’s plenty of choice when it comes to style, color, and design, so you’ll easily be able to find the right icons for your resume layout and format .

When it comes to licensing, Icons8 offer a free basic membership in which the user must credit back the author in exchange for free use. Otherwise, they offer a pricing plan of $13 per month for up to 100 icon downloads per month, with each icon costing $0.20 after the 100 limit has been reached.

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 8/10 as it is easy to use and the icons on offer are superb quality, with the only downside being the pricing plans.

6. DesignBeep

Originally a design blog for designers and creators, DesignBeep also offers some freebies, including icons packs. Some of the free icon packs are more artistically-orientated, but this might be useful if your resume has a specific color theme or design.

When it comes to usage, you can download and use icons on Design Beep for free, without having to credit the authors.

Resume icon rating: We rate this site 8/10 because although it’s free to use, the search system isn’t optimised, and the choice isn’t as varied as some other sites when it comes to icons.

7. Flaticon

Flaticon is one of the best sites to check out if you’re looking for crisp, professional resume icons and lots of choice when it comes to colors, illustrations and overall icon variety.

The quality of the icons is the main reason for getting your icons from Flaticon – the illustrations are professional and high-quality, with some unique options and enough variety to suit every resume and every taste. You can even customise some of the icons found on Flaticon.com, making it a great option for those who want something that corresponds to the color scheme of their resume.

Unfortunately, the downside of Flaticon is that it isn’t free. If you want to download and use one of their icons, you can either pay a monthly fee of £8.99 (approx. $11.44), which grants access to the full site and allows you to download all the icons available on their site, or you can give credit to the site.

Resume icon rating: We’d rate this site 8/10 for its high-quality icons and custom options, but we’re knocking a few points off as the site isn’t free to use.

Best icons to use on your resume

When you’re adding icons to your resume, the mantra of less is more should always apply. The best place to use icons on your resume should be in your personal details.

You should add icons to break up the key information in your resume header, such as your phone number, location and email.

A great way to make your resume more concise and sophisticated is to add an email symbol when including your email address on your resume. Adding a symbol makes it much easier for a recruiter to read and remember the email address, while also saving space – albeit small – on your resume.

If you tend to include your address on your resume, you should add a “location” icon instead of the word “address”. An icon is much neater and should help you keep your address to just one line, saving on space.

If you don’t normally include your address on your resume, you can also use a location icon to indicate the city you work in. This is a good idea if you have your resume uploaded on various headhunting websites, as it helps recruiters know if you’re available to work in their location.

Telephone number

A great place to use an icon is when including your phone number on your resume. Instead of writing out “phone number” or “office number” you can simply add phone symbols for each number, simplifying your personal details and saving a little bit of space.

Make sure to differentiate between a home phone symbol (typically an old-fashioned looking phone) for your home number and a mobile icon for your mobile phone, although we’d recommend just including your mobile phone number.

How to Create a Resume in Microsoft Word (Step-by-Step Guide)

If this is your first time creating a resume in Microsoft Word, the process may seem overwhelming. Luckily, this article is here to help! In this step-by-step guide, we will cover how to create an effective resume from start to finish using Microsoft Word.

How Do I Make a Resume in Microsoft Word?

There are two primary methods for making a resume in Microsoft Word:

• ‍ From Scratch: This gives you the ultimate creative control. However, it also requires you to familiarize yourself with all of Microsoft Word’s tools and layout options. Building a resume from scratch can be more time-consuming but also more customizable.
• ‍ From a Template: Microsoft Word offers several pre-made resume templates. By using these, all the formatting and layout creation is handled for you. You simply have to fill in your own information.

To use a template, go to File > New and then select a template from the Resume and Cover Letter section.

How Should I Format My Resume in Microsoft Word?

The format you choose will depend on your experience level!

There are 3 basic resume formats to choose between:

• ‍ Reverse-Chronological: Details your most recent job and works backwards from there. This format focuses heavily on work experience. ‍
• Functional: Focuses on skills and education rather than work experience. This is a good option for recent graduates or applicants with minimal work experience. ‍
• Hybrid/Combination: Combines elements of both the Reverse-Chronological and the Functional. This is a good option for applicants with gaps in their employment history.

Choosing the best format for your needs is key. For more help on this subject, check out our guide on How to Choose the Correct Resume Format in 2024 !

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

Make a Resume in Microsoft Word in 7 Easy Steps

First, let’s make sure you can navigate the Microsoft Word ribbon!

The ribbon is the toolbar found at the top of the screen.

It should look something like this:

The main parts of the ribbon you should familiarize yourself with on the Home tab are Font , Paragraph , and Styles .

These are how you will edit the appearance of your text and headers.

You should also familiarize yourself with the Layout tab .

This tab is where you will adjust your margins and add columns!

Once you have taken your time to figure out where all of your tools are, it’s time to begin building your resume!

Important Note: These steps detail how to create a resume in Microsoft Word from scratch. By using one of the program’s pre-made templates, you can bypass many of these steps and simply fill in the pre-made format.

Step 1: Create Your Layout

Let’s begin by visiting the Layout tab .

Here, you can set your margin size and decide if you want to use columns.

Here is a breakdown of these two elements:

‍ We recommend using 1-inch margins on all sides.

This will give you enough white space to keep your resume looking neat without sacrificing too much space.

It will also ensure your formatting looks good on printed versions of your resume. ‍

Columns and Sidebars:

‍ From the columns tab, you will find five options:

• The One , Two , and Three options are how you will create separate columns.
• The Left and Right options are how you will create sidebars! Sidebars are useful because they leave more room for the main text and sections.

From the Home tab , you can edit the following elements of your layout:

‍ Alignment:

‍ Choose between left, center, or right alignment.

We recommend using the left alignment.

Whichever you choose, it is a good idea to keep your alignment consistent across the board. ‍

Line Spacing:

‍ We recommend using 1.15 – 1.5 line spacing for the body text.

For section titles and headers, use 1.5 – 2.0 spacing to help them stand out from the rest of the text. ‍

‍ Use a simple and highly legible font. Try to use only 1-2 fonts throughout your resume.

We recommend the following seven fonts:

• Times New Roman

Step 2: Make Your Title Header

Your title header should contain the following information:

• Your Job Title
• Contact Information
• Professional Social Media Links

Use an H1 header to write your name at the very top.

Use the Normal style to write the rest of your information (see “How Do I Add Different Sections of the Resume on Microsoft Word” below for more information on header styles).

It should come out looking similar to this:

Copywriter Email: [email protected] Phone: (123) 456-7890 Website: Janesmith.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janesmith

Check out some of our free resume examples to see alternative ways of formatting your title header!

Step 3: Write an Objective or Summary

Following your title header will be your resume objective or summary.

This will be a short statement between 1-5 sentences detailing your desired job title, experience, and career goals.

You will want to write this statement in the Normal style .

However, you may want to use a slightly larger font than the rest of the text in other sections.

This will help your objective or summary statement to stand out.

Here is an example of how this might look with the title header example from before:

Resume Objective: I am a copywriter with over 5 years of experience. working with corporate clients. I am seeking the position of Head Copywriter at your company, bringing with me over 10 major corporate clients.

Step 4: Create Your Base Format

By creating a base format, you can save the document as a separate file to return to and fill in again and again.

This will help you to tailor your resume to fit specific jobs!

The idea of the base format is to provide outlined sections with the correct spacing and number of bullet points.

You are essentially creating a skeleton for your resume that you can edit and adjust over time.

By doing so, you ensure you have already allocated the proper amount of space on the resume for each section.

For example, this is what your base Work Experience section may look like:

Work Experience

Job Title 1 , Company Name Date – Date · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence Job Title 2 , Company Name Date – Date · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence ‍ Job Title 3 , Company Name Date – Date · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence · Descriptive Sentence

As you gain more work experience, you can return to this base format and make changes as need be.

Because you have already outlined the section, you won’t have to worry about reformatting the entire resume to make a few simple changes.

Step 5: Determine Your Section Organization

Once you have built the base format of your resume, it’s time to determine if your sections are in the optimal location.

For instance, if you are creating a Reverse-Chronological style resume you will want your Work Experience section to come first.

Comparatively, if you are creating a Functional style resume you may want your Skills or Education section to come first.

The order and organization of your sections will impact the impression your resume makes on hiring managers.

Step 6: Fill in the Information

Now that you have created the base format of your resume and chosen the optimal organization, it’s time to fill in your information!

When filling in your information, be mindful of the following 3 factors:

• ‍ Be Concise: Always use simple sentences that clearly describe your strengths and accomplishments. Avoid complex sentences or overly complicated vocabulary and jargon. ‍
• Use Bullet-Points: In each section, use bullet points to separate each thought or idea. This will make your resume more visually appealing and easier to read. ‍
• Choose Compelling Language: Try to avoid repeating the same words or phrases over and over. Mix it up, use keywords, and find the best action verbs to make your resume sound even better!

Not sure how to make your language more compelling on your resume? Take a look at our list of 350+ Action Verbs to Make Your Resume More Effective in 2024 .

Step 7: Double-Check Your Sections

Once you have completed steps 1-6, look back over your resume and make sure you have included all of the key sections.

You should also take some time to consider what additional sections you could include.

Here are the key sections every resume should have:

• A title header with your name and contact information
• An objective or summary statement
• Work experience

As we have covered, the order of these sections will vary depending on the format you have chosen.

However, each of these sections should always be included in your resume.

There are also some additional sections to consider adding.

Here is a quick list of extra sections that can add some extra flair to your resume:

• Awards and achievements
• Certifications
• Unpaid experiences, such as volunteer work or internships
• Relevant hobbies

How Do I Add Different Sections to a Resume on Microsoft Word?

The way to create different sections on your resume comes in two parts:

• Use an H2 header to create the section titles (Work Experience, Education, Skills, etc.)
• Use the Normal style to create the body of text below the H2 header

Here is a breakdown of how to use the H1, H2, H3, and Normal styles within your resume:

Select the Styles window from the Home tab .

From here, you will have options to create headers.

Your heading options are as follows:

• ‍ Heading 1: Use this heading as your largest title. This is what you will use to write your name at the top of the page. Use a bolded font between 16 to 20 pt in size. Use 1.5 to 2.0 line spacing to help the title heading stand out. ‍
• Heading 2: Use this heading to create your section titles. Use a bolded font size between 14 to 16 pt. in size. Make sure these headings are smaller than your title heading. Use 1.5 to 2.0 line spacing to help these headings stand out from the rest of the text. ‍
• Heading 3: Use this heading to create your job titles. Your job titles should be only slightly bigger than the rest of the text. Use a bolded font between 12 to 14 pt. in size. Use between 1.15 to 1.5 line spacing. ‍
• Normal: Use the Normal style to create the body text underneath the heading. Use a regular font between 11 – 12 pt. in size. Use between 1.15 to 1.5 line spacing.

What are the Pros and Cons of Using Microsoft Word to Craft Your Resume?

Microsoft Word is a handy tool to have, especially if your computer comes with the program pre-installed.

Here are 3 pros and 3 cons to using Microsoft Word to create your resume:

• ‍ Total Creative Control: When creating a resume on Microsoft Word directly from your computer, you have total control over the design and format. ‍
• More ATS Friendly: Applicant Tracking Systems are designed to read .doc files, the file format used by Microsoft Word. ‍
• Can be Edited by Recruiters: If you are using a recruitment agency, a Microsoft Word file can be easy to edit by recruiters before sending it off to employers.
• ‍ The Microsoft Word Learning Curve: If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft Word, there can be a pretty steep learning curve that can cause you frustration. ‍
• Time Consuming: Building a resume from scratch can be highly beneficial, but also highly time-consuming. This can become problematic if you need to create a resume quickly. ‍
• Temperamental Templates: Microsoft Word offers tons of free resume templates. On the surface, this is super useful. However, these templates can be tricky to use. One wrong move can mess up the formatting in a big way and be an even bigger headache to try and fix.

Why Should I Use an Online Resume Template or Resume Builder?

By using a resume template from an online provider, such as Easy Resume, you are more likely to find a template that fits your exact needs.

Plus, online resume templates and resume builders often have more design elements that are easier to use compared to Microsoft Word.

Are you interested in using our online templates or resume builder? Check out our beautifully designed resume templates to build your optimal resume!

Final Takeaways

Microsoft Word offers a lot of capabilities to help you build your ideal resume.

Here are five key takeaways for creating a resume on the program:

• Create a base skeleton for your resume that you can use again and again for different jobs.
• Use different heading styles to help your resume title and section titles to stand out.
• Use the column tool under the Layout tab to create sidebars. Sidebars are great for smaller sections, such as certifications or awards!
• Always use concise and compelling language.
• Consider using a template to build your resume faster.

At Easy Resume, we have designed our resume templates and online resume builder to fit your needs. No matter your level of experience or skill at making resumes, we have the tools to help.

Don’t forget to check out our expansive collection of FREE resume guides and examples while you’re here!

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.

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Healthcare is a massive and important industry that contains all sorts of professionals. To land a job in healthcare, you must understand what relevant skills employers are searching for. In this guide, we will cover key healthcare skills to include on your resume and why doing so is so important.

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With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.

Read our how-to guides on making your resume perfect

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Your resume header is the very first thing an employer will see. Not only does it need to contain the correct information, but it needs to stand out as well! In this guide, we will teach you how to write the ideal header for your resume.

How to Write Your Resume in Reverse-Chronological Order

When setting out to write the perfect resume, choosing a format is an important decision. Reverse-chronological resumes are the standard format, so knowing how to craft one is key! This guide will teach you how to write the best reverse chronological resumes.

How to List Contact Information on Your Resume in 2024

Learn how to format contact information on your resume and what information to share with the hiring manager.

How to Write a Two-Page Resume (with Examples & Tips)

Don't know whether you should write a one-page or two-page resume? Find out when it is appropriate to write a two-page resume and learn how to write it correctly.

Professional resume templates to help land your next dream job.

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How To Format Your Resume in Word in 2024

Font Settings

Paragraph settings, layout settings, frequently asked questions about formatting your resume in word.

In the guide below, we’ll walk you through the key settings you’ll need to familiarize yourself with to create a professional-looking resume in Microsoft Word. There’s no need to turn in something that looks like it was pecked out on a typewriter. Putting a little time and effort into formatting your resume can make the difference between a hiring manager passing you by or catching their eye.

The following suggestions are meant to be a jumping-off point and are based on general best practices for crafting a resume. You can tweak these default settings based on your preferences or industry standards.

Home: Font 

While 11-point font is typically the gold standard size these days, certain things should be bigger to highlight important points (your name) or as a way to organize your resume’s sections.

Set your name to 17, section headings to 14, and all other text to 11.

Don’t use more than two fonts on your resume (one for your name and section headings, and one for everything else). For most traditional industries, stick with traditional resume fonts like Calibri or Cambria.

For a simple resume format, stick with black text throughout. If you’d like to introduce color, see the tip on shading below.

Bold, italic, underline

Use bold for all titles (e.g., your name, job titles, and college degrees) and italic for all organizations (e.g., past employers and schools).

But keep in mind bolded text stands out more than italicized text. So you may want to reverse this setting if your past job titles are now less important than your employer names.

Generally, avoid underlining text on your resume, except hyperlinks .

CAPS and Small Caps

Home: Font: dialog box launcher (arrow in the bottom-right corner): Effects

Use all caps or small caps for your section headings to help set them off from the other information. (You can also use caps to set off job titles and organizations.) But note that caps make the text slightly harder to read, so don’t use them if your section headings are long or uncommon (e.g., Presentations and Publications, not PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS).

Line spacing

Home: Paragraph

Keep your entire document at Word’s default paragraph spacing of 1.15.

Text alignment

In general, set the entire document to “Align Left.” This is the standard alignment most people are used to, and anything else can feel jarring. However, as a final formatting step, consider setting your name, contact info, section headings, and text of shorter sections to “Center” for a more balanced look.

Bullet points

Use bullet points to set off all the achievements in your Experience section. Also, consider bulleting your job duties and profile summary.

Use either the standard circle symbol or a simple alternative such as squares, diamonds, arrows, or check marks.

Add light gray shading behind your name, contact info, and section headings. You can also use color, but make it a light tint to not obscure the text. Also, consider shading for any atypical text on your resume, such as client testimonials or special awards.

Add a slim border below each section heading and a slightly thicker border below your contact info.

Point spacing

Layout: Paragraph

Before you set your resume’s point spacing, it’s a good idea to delete all “empty” paragraphs. Click the Show/Hide button (Home: Paragraph) to make all paragraph marks visible on your document (they look like a backward P ). Then delete all paragraph marks that have no accompanying text, i.e., those that are flush against your left margin.

Once you’ve deleted all empty paragraphs, set “After” spacing to zero points for the entire document.

Set “Before” to:

• 14 points for all section headings
• 5 points for all bulleted information
• 11 points for all other information

Page margins

Layout: Page Setup: Margins: Custom Margins…

Page margins are the white space on every side of the page. While you can adjust the margins later if you feel you need more or less white space, set the margins to 0.7” on all four sides by default.

Layout: Page Setup

Keep your entire document as one column. When a resume section comprises many short items or phrases (e.g., the key skills section), you can use the pipe symbol or tab stops to consolidate them and avoid having too much white space.

What can I do about extra blank space? -

After formatting your resume text, you may have a mostly blank second or third page. Extra space may also be created when the last word of a paragraph or bullet point appears on its own line. Remember, the above recommendations are just a starting point. Feel free to tweak them to solve these or other spacing issues that arise. 

If your document text runs onto an extra page, make your page margins smaller (but don’t go below 0.5” on all sides). Then reduce the font size or point spacing slightly. Also, delete the document’s headers and footers , or shift their position since they can interfere with whatever page margins you’ve set. 

If the last word of a paragraph or bullet appears on its own line, play around with Word’s hyphenation and character spacing options. These settings can help you condense the text slightly so that the extra line disappears. 

Only delete resume text as a last resort. 

What Word settings can I ignore? -

For the purposes of a standard resume, you can safely ignore many of Word’s more advanced settings and features, such as:

• Content controls 
• Illustrations 
• Section breaks 
• Tables 
• Text boxes 
• Text effects 
• Themes 

Features like these are generally meant for longer Word documents with more sophisticated formatting demands. Leaving them off your resume makes it much simpler and easier to update with new information later. 

What about applicant tracking systems? -

The above recommendations will help your resume perform better on applicant tracking systems ( ATS) platforms . Generally, a simple and consistent resume format is likelier to pass ATS and reach a hiring manager's desk. 

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Build a Resume to Enhance Your Career

• How to Build a Resume Learn More
• Basic Resume Examples and Templates Learn More
• How Many Jobs Should You List on a Resume? Learn More
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• How to Land Your Dream Job Learn More
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Create Custom Symbol Characters You Can Use in Word

Last Updated: March 19, 2024 Tested

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd . Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 304,640 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to create your own symbols and add them to Microsoft Word. Creating and installing symbols is different than inserting pre-installed symbols into your document. You can create and install symbols on Windows by using a hidden program called "Private Character Editor", while Mac users can create and install their own font with customized symbols by using the Calligraphr template.

How do you make custom font symbols in Word?

• Use Private Character Editor (eudcedit) for Windows to draw symbols, then use Character Map to use them in Word.
• On a Mac, download and edit the Calligraphr template, then upload your template to redownload it as a font.
• Any custom symbols you make will not display on any platform that doesn't have your symbols installed.

• Your selected space will correspond to Character Map later (for example, if you pick the upper-left corner box, the symbol will be in that box when you open Character Map later).

• You can select different drawing tools in the left-hand side of the window to change the drawing style.
• If you make a mistake, you can undo it by pressing Ctrl + Z , or by using the eraser tool in the bottom-left side of the window.
• You can use an existing symbol as your base by clicking Edit , clicking Copy Character... , selecting a character, and clicking OK .

• The Character Map program keeps track of all available symbols on your system.

• You may have to scroll up to see this option.

• Your symbol may not be large enough or bold enough to be easily visible in Word. You can change that by selecting the symbol and raising the font size to the appropriate level.

• Follow How to Create a Font for more detailed steps on how to create an account, log in, and download a template.

• On some versions of macOS, the "Markup" icon resembles a bag instead.

• You can repeat this process for multiple symbols in order to bind them to letters (e.g., A-Z).
• Keep in mind that capital letters and lower-case letters have their own distinct bindings.

• Click START APP
• Click MY FONTS
• Click Upload Template
• Click Choose File
• Select your template file, then click Open
• Click UPLOAD TEMPLATE

• The name that you select for your font is the name that will display for the font when you select it in Microsoft Word.

• You'll have to switch to another font to type actual letters.

Community Q&A

• If you have a Microsoft Office 365 subscription on a Windows computer, you can insert Windows icons into your document by clicking the Insert tab, clicking Icons in the "Illustrations" section of the toolbar, and selecting an icon. This will not work on the Mac version of Word. [2] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Since custom symbols are only available for Word documents on your computer, other people will not be able to view your symbols if you share the document with them. You can get around this limitation by printing the document or saving it as a PDF. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/windows-xp-in/0596002491/re150.html
• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/insert-icons-in-office-2016-e2459f17-3996-4795-996e-b9a13486fa79

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Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

Three Ways to Insert Special Characters in Microsoft Word

By Erin Wright

This tutorial shows three ways to insert special characters in Microsoft Word:

1. The Symbol dialog box

2. Keyboard shortcuts

3. AutoCorrect

Word’s special characters include twelve text characters, such as the en dash, that don’t appear on traditional keyboards and fifteen formatting characters, such as the nonbreaking hyphen, that affect text layout. The table below lists all twenty-seven special characters.

Special Characters in Microsoft Word

For a description of each character, visit “ What Are Special Characters in Microsoft Word? ”

If you want to insert accent marks (the extra marks that appear above and below letters) instead of special characters, visit “ Three Ways to Insert Accent Marks in Microsoft Word .”

This tutorial is also available as a YouTube video showing all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 100 writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel .

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. The steps are the same for Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016, and are similar for Word 2013 and Word 2010.

Insert Special Characters Using the Symbol Dialog Box

All twenty-seven special characters can be inserted using the Symbol dialog box.

1. Place your cursor where the special character should be inserted in your text.

2. Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.

3. Select Symbols in the Symbols group.

4. Select More Symbols in the drop-down menu.

5. Select the Special Characters tab in the Symbol dialog box.

6. Select the special character that you need from the Character menu.

7. Select the Insert button to insert the special character.

8. Select the Close button to close the Symbol dialog box.

Pro Tip: If the Symbol dialog box blocks your view of your newly inserted special character, left-click your mouse arrow on the uppermost area of the dialog box to grab it and then move it to a different location on your screen.

Insert Special Characters Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Thirteen special characters can be inserted with preset keyboard shortcuts.

Please note that the shortcuts shown below for the Double Opening Quote and Double Closing Quote are different than those shown in Word’s Symbol dialog box (which may be typos because they don’t function as intended).

1. Place your cursor where the special character should be inserted.

2. Select the appropriate key combination on your keyboard.

Em Dash:  Alt + Ctrl + Num – (Alt plus Ctrl plus the minus sign on the number pad)

En Dash:   Ctrl + Num – (Ctrl plus the minus sign on the number pad)

Nonbreaking Hyphen:  Ctrl + Shift + _ (Ctrl plus Shift plus underscore)

Optional Hyphen:  Ctrl + – (Ctrl plus hyphen)

Nonbreaking Space :   Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar

Copyright:  Alt + Ctrl + C

Registered:  Alt + Ctrl + R

Trademark:   Alt + Ctrl + T

Ellipsis:  Alt + Ctrl + . (Alt plus Ctrl plus period)

Single Opening Quote:  Ctrl + `,` (Ctrl plus two grave accents)

Single Closing Quote:  Ctrl + ‘,’ (Ctrl plus two single quotation marks)

Double Opening Quote:   Ctrl + ` , Shift + ‘ (Ctrl plus one grave accent followed by Shift plus one single quotation mark)

Double Closing Quote:   Ctrl + ‘, Shift + ‘ (Ctrl plus one single quotation mark followed by Shift plus one single quotation mark)

Insert (a Few) Special Characters Using AutoCorrect

Word’s preset AutoCorrect feature lets you insert the copyright symbol, trademark symbol, registered mark, and en dash by typing specific character strings into your text.

Trademark:  (tm)

Copyright:  (c)

Registered:  (r)

En Dash:  --

The en dash won’t appear automatically until you complete the next word or character string and then press the spacebar.

Pro Tips: Select Ctrl + Z to reject an autocorrected character. You can also customize Word’s autocorrect options in the Proofing section of the Word Options dialog box.

Further Reading: How to Find and Replace Special Characters in Microsoft Word

Updated November 14, 2021

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Insert a symbol

By default, the Symbol dialog box shows emoji at first when it's opened. But you can expand it to see other character sets: Scroll to the top and click the toggle button in the right corner:

Do any of the following:

Insert symbol

On the Insert menu, click Advanced Symbol , and then click the Symbols tab.

Click the symbol that you want.

Insert special characters

On the Insert menu, click Advanced Symbol , and then click the Special Characters tab.

Click the character that you want.

On the Insert menu, click Symbol .

On the Edit menu, click Emoji & Symbols .

Click the symbol that you want. 

Add, edit, or turn off automatic corrections

My characters appear differently in earlier versions of Office

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