Plus Minus Symbol Microsoft Word

Whether you’re writing equations, measurements, or scientific content, the plus minus symbol in Word (±) is a vital character, especially in math, engineering, and statistics. In Microsoft Word, there are multiple ways to insert the ± symbol depending on your operating system—Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu—using keyboard shortcuts, Unicode, or the symbol menu. This guide will show you the fastest and most efficient ways to type the plus-minus symbol across platforms.

➕➖ What Does the Plus Minus Symbol (±) Represent?

The plus minus symbol (±) is commonly used to indicate:

Approximate values (e.g., 50 ± 2 cm)
Tolerances in engineering
Statistical ranges and deviations
Mathematical expressions involving dual values

It’s a standard symbol found in technical writing, academic documents, and scientific reports.

🪟 How to Type the Plus Minus Symbol in Word on Windows

✅ Method 1: Alt Code

Place your cursor in Word
Hold the Alt key and type 0177 on the numeric keypad
Release Alt → ± appears

📌 This works only if you have a numeric keypad and Num Lock is enabled.

✅ Method 2: Unicode + Alt + X

Type 00B1
Press Alt + X → Word will convert it to ±

🧠 Useful if you don’t have a numeric keypad.

✅ Method 3: Insert Symbol Dialog

Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols
Set font to (normal text) or a Unicode-friendly font like Calibri
Scroll to find the ± symbol (character code 00B1)
Click Insert

🍏 How to Type the Plus Minus Symbol in Word on macOS

✅ Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Press Option + Shift + =
The ± symbol will appear

💡 Works system-wide, not just in Word.

✅ Method 2: Character Viewer

Press Control + Command + Space to open the emoji and symbol viewer
Search for “plus minus”
Double-click on the ± symbol to insert it into your Word document

🐧 How to Insert the Plus Minus Symbol in Word on Ubuntu

Ubuntu users typically use:

LibreOffice Writer
Microsoft Word Online

✅ Method 1: Unicode Input

Press Ctrl + Shift + U
Type 00B1
Press Enter → ± will appear

✅ Works in most Linux applications that support Unicode input.

✅ Method 2: Special Character Menu (LibreOffice)

Go to Insert > Special Character
Select a font like DejaVu Sans
Find and insert the ± symbol (U+00B1)

✅ Method 3: Word Online

Go to Insert > Symbol
Paste ± or use Unicode/Alt method
Symbol appears in your web-based Word document

📋 Summary Table – Plus Minus Symbol Shortcuts

Platform	Method	Shortcut or Steps
Windows	Alt Code	Alt + 0177 → ±
Windows	Unicode + Alt + X	Type 00B1, then Alt + X → ±
macOS	Keyboard Shortcut	Option + Shift + = → ±
macOS	Character Viewer	Ctrl + Cmd + Space → Search “plus minus”
Ubuntu	Unicode Input	Ctrl + Shift + U → 00B1 → Enter
LibreOffice	Special Characters	Insert > Special Character > ±
Word Online	Symbol or Paste	Insert > Symbol > ± or paste manually

📎 Copy & Paste the Plus Minus Symbol

Here it is for quick use: ±

❓ FAQ – Plus Minus Symbol in Microsoft Word

Can I assign my own shortcut for the ± symbol in Word?
Yes! Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts and assign a shortcut to the symbol.

Is ± supported in all fonts?
Most modern fonts like Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman support the plus-minus symbol.

What is the Unicode for ±?
It’s U+00B1 in the Unicode character set.

Can I use ± in Excel and PowerPoint too?
Yes, the same shortcuts apply across Microsoft Office apps.

Is the ± symbol retained in PDF exports?
Yes, it will be preserved when you save or export the Word document as a PDF.

✅ Conclusion

Inserting the plus minus symbol in Word (±) is easy once you know the right keyboard shortcuts and Unicode codes. Whether you’re on Windows (Alt + 0177), macOS (Option + Shift + =), or Ubuntu (Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00B1), the symbol is just seconds away. It’s an essential part of technical writing and math documents—and now you can type it with confidence on any platform.

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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