Put an arrow in word

Sometimes it is necessary to add images in a Word document to display several points concisely. Adding arrows with different shapes, sizes, and directions pointing to the specific point in the image serves to further emphasize each point.

Word allows you to insert / draw many types of arrows: 

• Keyboard arrows
• Arrows by Unicode
• Arrows as symbols
• Line arrows
• Block, curved, and connector arrows

Depending on your requirement you can use any or all of them in your document. We provide you step-by-step instructions here.

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Method #1: Insert Keyboard Arrows

Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the Word Document in which you want to insert arrows. Place your cursor at the position where the arrow should appear.

Step #2: Insert keyboard arrows

1. Type two Hyphens and a More Than sign to insert a Right arrow.
2. Type a Less Than sign and two Hyphens to insert a Left arrow.
3. Type two Equal signs and a More Than sign to insert a Bold Right arrow
4. Type a Less Than sign and two Equal signs to insert a Bold Left arrow
5. Type a Less Than sign, one Equal sign, and a More Than sign to insert a Double arrow.

This is how the arrows look.

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Method #2: Insert Arrows by Unicode

Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the Word Document in which you want to insert arrows. Place your cursor at the position where the arrow should appear. 

Step #2: Insert unicodes for arrows

Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard and type the following numbers on the numeric keypad. Release the Alt key only after you have finished typing the complete string. Follow the table for the type of arrow you want to insert.

Arrow Type	Alt+Unicode (on numerical keypad)
Left Arrow	Alt+8592
Right Arrow	Alt+8594
Up Arrow	Alt+8593
Down Arrow	Alt+8595
Left-Right Double Arrow	Alt+8596
Up-Down Double Arrow	Alt+8597

This is how the arrows look.

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Method #3: Insert Arrows as symbols

Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the Word Document in which you want to insert arrows. Place your cursor at the position where you want the arrow to appear.

Step #2: Open the Symbols Table

Click on the Insert tab on the top menu bar to change the ribbon. In the Symbols section, click on Symbols, and then on More Symbols to open the Symbols Table.

Step #3: Select and insert the Symbol

Scroll up and down to see various symbols, and click on the one you want to insert. Click on the Insert tab to insert the symbol and then click on the Close tab to close the table. This is how your document will look.

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Method #4: Insert Line Arrows

Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the Word Document in which you want to insert line arrows. 

Step #2: Select the Shape

Click on the Insert tab on the top menu bar to change the ribbon. In the Illustrations section, click on Shapes to open the choice of Shapes.

Under Lines, click on the second shape from the left. If you prefer, select any other line shape instead. Word closes the choice of Shapes and changes the cursor to a cross.

Step #3: Draw the arrow

Move the cursor to the position where you want the tail of the arrow to be, hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse and the cross to where you want the arrow to point. Word will insert the arrow, and when you release the mouse button, will place the arrow.

Step #4: Modify the arrow

Notice that the ribbon has changed and Word has opened the Format tab under Drawing Tools. The section Shape Styles allows changing the shape of the arrow such as:

• Style
• Outline
• Effects
• Shape

Style — Click on the downward arrow on the right of Subtle Shapes [1]  to open the Theme Styles and Presets choice. Proceed from Step #5.

Outline — Click on the small triangle on the right of Shape Outline [2] to open the Theme Colors dialog. Proceed from Step #6.

Effects — Click on the small triangle on the right of Shape Effects [3] to open the Effects selection. Proceed from Step #7.

Shape — Click on the small triangle at the bottom right of Shape Styles section [4] to open the Format Shape dialog. Proceed from Step #8.

Step #5: Change the style of the arrow

In the Theme Styles and Presets choice, Word offers some preset styles. Click on the one you like best, and the arrow will change accordingly.

Step #6: Change the outline of the arrow

In the Theme Colors dialog, Word allows you to change many features of your arrow:

• Color
• Weight
• Dashes
• Arrow

You can change the color of the arrow, weight (thickness) of the arrow, Dashes (solid line or dotted) of the arrow, and Arrows (type of the arrow head). Simply hover the mouse pointer over the tabs—Weight, Dashes, and Arrow—to see the choices available. Click on the choice you like.

Step #7: Change the shape effects of the arrow

The Effects selection allows introduction of different effects on the arrow. The selection offers several effects such as:

• Preset
• Shadow
• Reflection
• Glow
• Soft Edges
• Bevel
• 3-D Rotation

Simply hovering the mouse pointer over the choices will show the various choices available, and you can pick anything you like. Word will store your choice in Preset on the top.

Step #8: Change the Shape of the arrow

The Format Shape dialog offers three choices:

• Fill and Line
• Effects
• Layout and Properties

Fill and Line — You can select various fill and line properties for the arrow.

Effects — Offers the same choices as in Step #7.

Layout and Properties — This dialog allows you to assign a Title to your arrow and give it a description.

Once you have made your choice, click on the cross to close the dialog.

Your arrow may look like this

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Method #5: Insert Block, Curved, and Connector arrows

Step #1: Open a Word Document

Open the Word Document in which you want to insert arrows.

Step #2: Select the Shape

Click on the Insert tab on the top menu bar to change the ribbon. In the Illustrations section, click on Shapes to open the choice of Shapes.

Under Block Arrows, select the type of arrow you need. Word will display the name of the arrow when you hover the mouse pointer over it. Click on the arrow you prefer, and Word will close the dialog, and change the mouse pointer to a cross.

Step #3: Insert the arrow

Position the cross where you want the arrow to start, and holding down the left mouse button, drag the cross to where you want the arrow to end.

Notice that Word has changed the ribbon to include a Format tab under Drawing Tools.

Step #4: Modify the arrow

You can change the position and shape of the arrow by clicking and dragging the appropriate circles around it. You can rotate the arrow in 3-D by clicking and dragging the circular handle on its top.

For modifying the arrow further, follow Method #4, Step #4 onwards.

Finally, your arrow may look like this.

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Conclusion

You can add many types of arrows to beautify and emphasize your Word document. Although the process looks involved with too many steps, following our instructions above should make the task easier.

Is this article up to date?

If you frequently use Microsoft word to draft your documents and require the use of arrows and circles in your text, then this guide will be your true savior. In this read, we have listed 3 ways to add arrow or circle text inside a document using Microsoft Word. You can also learn how to change default font in Microsoft Word.

Also, Read | 3 Best Ways to Protect PDF Files with Password for free

Ways to Add Arrow or Circle Text in Microsoft Word

Add Arrows to Document Using Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word allows you to add a variety of different arrows to your text using several methods. Using these methods, you can conveniently create an illustration or add impact to plain text inside a document. Follow these simple techniques to achieve the same.

Try Keyboard Shortcuts to Add Arrows to Text

To quickly add arrows to your text inside a Word document, you can follow these nifty keypress combinations.

Use Unicode to Insert Arrows in Your Text

Another quick method through which you can easily add arrows to your text inside a word document is through the help of the Arrow Unicodes. To create arrows using this method, you need to press the Alt key on your keyboard and type the corresponding numbers using the numeric keypad. As soon as you release the Alt key after pressing the Unicode, the desired arrow will appear at your inserted position. Follow this quick chart to use the arrow Unicode.

Insert Arrows in Document as Shapes

If you wish to create long custom arrows in your text, you can simply create them by dragging the desired one using the Shapes feature in Microsoft Word. Follow these steps to achieve the same.

• Open the word document using Microsoft Word in which you wish to add arrows.
• Expand the Insert option present in the toolbar at the top and click on the Shapes button to find and choose your desired arrow.

• Once you click on your desired arrow shape, your mouse pointer will convert to a crosshair pointer and you can simply drag it over your text to easily create an arrow.
• You can also format the look and provide a custom appearance to your arrow by formatting it using style, outline, and effects.

• That’s it. You’ve successfully added an arrow to your text using this method.

Use Block, Curved, and Connector Arrows to Create Impactful Illustrations

In addition to simple arrows, you can also add a wide variety of different kinds of arrows to your text such as block, curved, or connector arrows using the Shape feature inside Microsoft Word. Follow these steps to add all such arrows using this method.

• Open your desired document using Microsoft word to which you wish to add arrows.
• Expand the Insert option in the toolbar and click on the Shapes button to choose your desired arrow.

• Drag your chosen (block, curved, or connector) arrow over the text to get the preferred results.

Circle and Text Inside Word Document Using Shapes

Similar to creating arrows, you can also add a circle to your text using the Shapes button in Microsoft Word to highlight certain text or create an illustration.

• Expand the Insert option in the toolbar located at the top and press the Shapes button.
• Under the Basic Shapes section, you can find the circle shape. Click on this shape and drag it over the text to create a circle.

• By default, the circle is filled with a solid color. To make it transparent with visible circle boundaries, click on the Shape Fill option at the top.

• Inside the Shape Fill option, press the No Fill option to create a transparent circle around your text.

• You can also customize this circle by formatting it using Outline and Shape Effects.

Congrats. You’ve successfully added a circle to your text using this method.

Bonus Tip: Create a Flowchart Diagram in Word using SmartArt

Microsoft Word also offers you the feature to use different varieties of charts instantly using the SmartArt feature. Follow these simple steps to create a ready-to-use flowchart using this method.

• To create a chart inside a word document, expand the insert option in the toolbar at the top and click on the SmartArt button.

• You will now see a popup window containing different varieties of ready-to-use charts. Browse and choose your preferred chart from the window. Click on the OK button to add it to your word document.

• Add your desired labels to the chart. You can also delete a label here to dynamically make adjustments to your chosen chart.

• That’s it. You’ve successfully created a flowchart diagram using SmartArt.

Related | How to Protect your Office Documents with a Password.

Wrapping Up: Creating Impactful Documents using Word

So, that’s a wrap for the top 3 ways to add arrow or circle text using Microsoft Word. If this quick read has helped you to create impactful documents by adding required arrows and circles, then hit the Like button and share this read among your friends to assist them as well. Stay tuned for more helpful reads.

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In the world of word processors, Microsoft Word is a well-known name. It is known as the best programme for making, editing, and sharing documents easily. The software is included in the productivity suite Office and the subscription service Microsoft 365. It has been used in offices and homes for decades and is preferred over free alternatives like LibreOffice or Google Docs. But… What is so great about MS Word? Microsoft Word’s many features, real-time collaboration tools, and easy-to-use interface make it possible for anyone to make documents that look professional in just a few minutes. Because of this, it’s a great choice for students, businesses, freelancers, or anyone who just likes to write. This article is about how to Insert an Arrow in Word Document.

How to put an arrow in Word is a question that users look for a lot. It is a very popular thought among users. There are many ways to insert an arrow in Word, and all of them are easy and common. It doesn’t have to be hard to type arrows in Microsoft Word. The application has given users more than one way to do this task. With arrows, you can get your message across more quickly and clearly than usual. People won’t have to type out long explanations when a simple arrow would do. Now, not everyone who knows how to use Microsoft Word knows how to do this, but trust us when we say it’s not hard.

Ways to Insert an Arrow in Word Document

How to Insert An Arrow Symbol in Word

• Click the Insert tab in the top bar of your Word file.
• Click on the icon on the right, then click on More icons.
• It will show the Symbol window. Choose Wingdings from the list of fonts.
• If you scroll down in the Wingdings symbol section, you will find different arrow symbols. Choose the one you want to use and then click the Insert button. Or, double-click the arrow symbol to add an arrow to your Word document.

How to Insert An Arrow Symbol in Word Using Code

• Click the Insert tab in the top bar of your Word file.
• Click on the icon on the right, then click on More icons.
• It will show the Symbol window. Choose Wingdings from the list of fonts.
• Find the arrow you want to use and write down its character code and whether it is a Symbol (Hex) or Symbol character (Decimal). If it’s in Hex, it’s an ASCII symbol, and if it’s in Decimal, it’s a Unicode symbol.
• Close the Symbol window and put the cursor where you want to add the arrow symbol.
• To turn the character code into the right symbol, which in this case is an arrow, you need to press the right buttons in the right order.

How to Insert An Arrow Symbol in Word Using Shapes

• Open the Word file where you want to add an arrow.
• Add the text or image to the document.
• Click “Insert” in the top menu and then “Shapes” to get to the shapes.
• In the Line section, choose the simple arrow. You can also choose an arrow with two sides or a curve. If you want a solid arrow, choose the style you want from the Block Arrows menu.
• Once you choose the arrow style you want, your mouse pointer will change to a pointer icon. Now, hold down the mouse button and draw an arrow on the picture or area of the document you want to look at. To finish the arrow, let go of the mouse button.

About MS Words

MS Word is a popular word processor and one of the best ways to make documents on the market today. It can be used to make many different kinds of documents, like reports, letters, resumes, and more. Word’s easy-to-use interface and large number of pre-made templates make it very easy to make documents that look professional in record time. Word also has a lot of editing features that were carefully made to make it easier to change any document.

The app has a grammar and spelling checker and lets you add images, tables, and other formatting elements to your documents to make them stand out. What You See Is What You Get, or WYSIWYG, editors make it easy to set up and format documents in the way you want. Because of this, it is a great choice for group projects where clear communication through documents is important.

Final Words

So, here we conclude our article on methods to Ways to Insert an Arrow in Word Document. Adding images to a Word document is sometimes necessary to show several points in a clear way. Adding arrows of different sizes, shapes, and directions that point to each point in the picture helps to bring it out even more. Words can be powerful on their own, but sometimes you need pictures or symbols to really show what you mean. Adding an arrow to your Microsoft Word document will make things clearer, whether you’re making a sign or just showing the connection between two ideas. There are several ways to do this, depending on your personal preference and the type of arrow you need. If you want to know how to Insert an Arrow in MS Words then follow the steps mentioned above.

I hope you understand this article, How to Insert an Arrow in Word Document.