Divide sign in word

Insert the Division Symbol or Sign in Microsoft Word Documents

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated December 20, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft^® Word^® 2013, 2016, 2019 or 365 (Windows)

You can insert the division symbol in a Word document using Insert Symbol, a keyboard shortcut, an AutoCorrect entry, an Alt shortcut or Equation tools. The division sign or symbol is different from the division operator used in calculations in a Word table or in Excel (/).

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In this article, we’ll look at 5 ways to insert the division symbol in a Word document:

1. Use the Insert Symbol command
2. Press Alt and then enter a number sequence
3. Add and use a custom keyboard shortcut
4. Add and use an AutoCorrect entry (or use an existing entry)
5. Insert the symbol in an equation using Equation tools

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1. Inserting the division symbol using Insert Symbol

To insert the division symbol using Insert Symbol in the Ribbon in Word:

1. Position the cursor in the Word document where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
9. Click Insert.
10. Click Close.

The Insert Symbol dialog box appears as follows (with ÷ selected):

2. Inserting the division symbol using an Alt keyboard shortcut

To insert the division symbol in a Word document using Alt:

1. Position the cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Press and hold Alt + 0247 on the numeric keypad.

If the sequence doesn’t work, press NumLock on the numeric keypad. If you don’t have a numeric keypad on your laptop, you may be able to access number keys at the top of your keyboard in combination with another key (like Fn).

3. Inserting the division symbol using a custom keyboard shortcut

If you insert the division sign frequently, you can create your own keyboard shortcut for the symbol in Word.

To create a keyboard shortcut for the division symbol:

1. Position the cursor in a Word document.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
9. Click Shortcut. A dialog box appears.
10. Click in the box below Assign New Shortcut key.
11. Press the keys you want to assign (such as Ctrl + Alt + D). Don’t type any text, just press the keys. Be careful not to override a useful built-in shortcut such as Ctrl + D.
12. Click Assign. Typically the location for these shortcuts is the Normal (or default) template.
13. Click Close twice.

Test the shortcut in your document by pressing the assigned keys.

The Customize Keyboard dialog box appears as follows:

Since these shortcuts are typically saved in the Normal template, when you exit Word, if you are prompted to save the Normal template, click Yes.

4. Inserting the division symbol using AutoCorrect

You can also insert the division sign automatically using AutoCorrect.

To set up an AutoCorrect entry for the division sign:

1. Position the cursor in a Word document.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
7. Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
8. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
9. Click AutoCorrect. A dialog box appears.
10. In the Replace with box, enter the name of the entry (such as div).
11. Click Add.
12. Click OK.
13. Click Close.
14. In the document, type the entry (such as div) and then press the Spacebar.

The AutoCorrect dialog box appears as follows:

Since these shortcuts are typically saved in the Normal template, when you exit Word, if you are prompted to save the Normal template, click Yes.

If you insert an equation block in Word, you can insert symbols using Math AutoCorrect entries (note the Math AutoCorrect tab in the AutoCorrect Options dialog box). Simply type div and then press the Spacebar (this is the default Math Autocorrect entry for this symbol). This can be used outside of an equation block as well as long as Math AutoCorrect is set to Use Math AutoCorrect options outside of math regions.

5. Inserting the division symbol in an equation block or placeholder

If you insert an equation in Word, an Equation tab will appear in the Ribbon when the equation block or placeholder is selected and you can simply click the division symbol in the Ribbon to insert it into the equation.

To insert the division symbol in an equation block or placeholder:

1. Click in the document where you want to enter an equation.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Equation to insert a new equation block or placeholder. Alternatively, type Alt + equal sign (=). You can also use an existing equation block or placeholder.
4. Click in the equation block or placeholder.
5. Click the Equation tab in the Ribbon.
6. Click the More arrow on the bottom right of the Symbols gallery.
7. At the top of the Symbols gallery, select Basic Math from drop-down menu (typically, this is the default).
8. Click the division sign.

You can also type div in an equation block and then press the Spacebar to use the default Math Autocorrect entry for this symbol.

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See also
how to insert X mark in Word.

The division sign ÷ is a mathematical symbol in the form of a colon (∶), obelus (÷), or slash or solidus (/) used to denote the division operator. In most standards, the slash (/) is used as a division sign for linear representation or a fraction bar for structured representation. Symbols ÷ and ∶ can define a data range.

We strongly recommend using
the Equation tools to insert any type of equation or mathematical, financial, or even logical formulas and expressions.

A lowercase Latin letter X often substitutes the multiplication sign, but this is a mistake that you need to avoid.

To create a perfect document, use one of the following ways to insert a multiplication symbol, or a division sign:

The standard way: using the Symbol dialog box:

To open the Symbol dialog box, do the following:

   1.   On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, select the Symbol button, and then click More Symbols…:

   2.   On the Symbol dialog box:

• Select the symbol you want to insert:

  For example:

  • The multiplication sign:

    
  • The dot symbol:

    

  • Choose the Symbol font from the Font list, and then select the division symbol:

    
• Click the Insert button to insert the symbol to the current cursor position.
• Click the Cancel button to close the Symbol dialog box.

Using a shortcut key:

In Microsoft Word, you can use Unicode to insert any of the used symbols:

The quicker way: using AutoCorrect for Math:

When you work with many documents and often need to paste a single special symbol, you do not need to insert an equation each time. Microsoft Word offers a helpful feature named AutoCorrect. The AutoCorrect options in Microsoft Word propose two different ways to quickly add any special character, or even
large pieces of text:

• Using
  the
  Replace text as you type function of the AutoCorrect options.
• Using the Math AutoCorrect options:

Using this method, you can benefit from the Math AutoCorrect options without inserting an equation. To turn on or turn off the AutoCorrect of the Math symbols, do the following:

   1.   On the File tab, click Options:

   2.   In the Word Options dialog box, on the
Proofing tab, click the AutoCorrect Options… button:

   3.   In the AutoCorrect dialog box, on the Math AutoCorrect tab, select the Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of the math regions option:

After clicking OK, you can use any of the listed Names of symbols, and Microsoft Word will replace them with the appropriate symbols:

,   
,   
.

Note: If you do not need the last replacement, click Ctrl+Z to cancel it.

When it comes to mathematical symbols and signs, a few are on the keyboard but, a few signs like ÷, ω, ρ, π, ×, λ, Δ, ≅ and more need some special treatment. And these symbols are not only used by mathematicians but also by other people. Students, executives, managers, engineers, architects, and others use these symbols in their presentations, projects, plans, and whatnot. There are simple and effective ways to insert all these signs. But today, let’s get to know how to type divide by the symbol in Word? (÷). There are several ways to do this and, also, the keyboard shortcut would be the easiest way. 

Let us start with the trouble-free way first.

Firstly, a divide sign (÷) can be inserted through the Alt code. The Alt code for divide by (÷) is 0247. To keep the number lock on, press the number lock key on the keyboard. If you don’t have a numerical keypad on your laptop, you need to click both the function key and the number lock key to turn on the number lock option. The keyboard shortcut to type the divide symbol is by pressing Alt and simultaneously typing 0247 in the number keypad. (Alt + 0247) Once you release the Alt key, you can find the divide symbol (÷) on the word document.

That’s too simple and saves a lot of your time. Now, when you’re busy doing calculations and want to divide some numbers and type a divide sign, just try it this way. And this was for Windows users. Then, what about Mac users? There is also a keyboard shortcut exclusively available for Mac users. Just by clicking the option and slash button, there appears the divide sign in just a second. (Option+/)

Another way to type a divide sign in the word document is by using the insert menu. From the Insert menu, in the insert tab, choose the symbols option, and from here select the more symbols option. There appears the symbols drop-down box. Now, from the symbol dialog box, locate the divide sign in the drop-down list. After choosing the divide sign, click the insert option. And here’s the divide sign on your document.

The simplest way to type divide by symbol is to copy-paste the divide symbol (÷) from any source available online or from mathematical offline documents. That’s just sixty seconds of work, isn’t it? Copy, pasting is an easy way but technical learning is a must. Isn’t it amazing to know that there are so many options to insert a divide sign to your word document? There are more ways. Do you know how to insert a divide sign by using the Word Auto-correct option? 

How to Insert a Divide sign (÷) Using Keyboard Shortcut for Windows? 

• To type a divide sign one can use the Alt code in Keyboard
• By pressing the Alt key, press 0247 in the number keypad
• Remember to switch on the number lock option by pressing the Number to lock key on the keyboard
• If it’s a laptop without the number keypad, then click Function key and number lock key to activate the number lock option
• Once the number lock is on, now press the Alt button along with the 0247 Alt code in the number keypad
• The divide sign (÷) is now inserted in the desired place of the word document. 

How to Insert a Divide sign (÷) Using Keyboard Shortcut for Mac?

• There is also a keyboard shortcut for Mac users
• Click Option and slash (/) buttons on the keypad
• A divide sign (÷) appears on the word document.

How to Type a Divide sign (÷) Using Insert Menu?

• From the Insert menu, choose the symbol option in the insert tab
• There appears the symbols dialog box
• From the symbols dialog box, select more symbols from the various options available
• In the symbol drop-down list locate the divide sign
• To easily locate the divide symbol, choose Latin-1 Supplement in the subset option
• Now choose Unicode (hex) in the drop-down list
• Select the divide symbol from those signs and symbols
• Once you locate the divide sign, double click the insert option
• You can now find the divide sign (÷) on your word document.

How to Type a Divide sign (÷) Using Auto-Correct Option? 

• Auto-Correct option is used to correct the spellings automatically
• By assigning a shortcode to the divide sign (÷) such as DIV
• So, whenever you type divi, the auto-correct option turns it to a divide sign (÷)
• Choose File Menu and from the file tab select options
• Now click proofing and select the auto-correct option
• You can modify the text and replace it
• By assigning a shortcode for the divide sign (÷) you can easily type a divide sign to the word document.
• When you type the assigned short code, it automatically corrects the divide sign (÷)

Conclusion

Mathematics has become a part of day-to-day life, and it’s used almost everywhere. In this robotic world where computers are ruling, learning every basic is vital. To insert all the symbols and signs into a word document will help all the workforce and even the students one day when they are typing their word documents. Just by learning a few basic technical kinds of stuff now, it would make a big difference later.

This is completely easy but effective and would save time for sure. Starting from addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, these basics are much needed in any field. Getting to know new stuff is always an advantage to build the knowledge ladder. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is division?
   The division is a method of distributing a set of numbers into equal halves or parts.
2. What are the symbols used for division?
   The symbols used for division are ÷ (Divide by), / (slash).
3. What are the other math signs which are not there on the keyboard?

             ± – Plus-Minus Sign

             ≥ – Greater Than or Equal to Sign

             ∞ – Infinity

             ≠ – Not Equal to Sign

1. What are the parts of division?
   There are 3 parts. The dividend, the divisor, and the quotient are the parts of division.