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 (/).
Recommended article: How to Check Word Count in Microsoft Word (4 Ways)
In this article, we’ll look at 5 ways to insert the division symbol in a Word document:
- Use the Insert Symbol command
- Press Alt and then enter a number sequence
- Add and use a custom keyboard shortcut
- Add and use an AutoCorrect entry (or use an existing entry)
- 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:
- Position the cursor in the Word document where you want to insert the symbol.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
- If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
- Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
- Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
- Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
- Click Insert.
- 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:
- Position the cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
- 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:
- Position the cursor in a Word document.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
- If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
- Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
- Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
- Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
- Click Shortcut. A dialog box appears.
- Click in the box below Assign New Shortcut key.
- 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.
- Click Assign. Typically the location for these shortcuts is the Normal (or default) template.
- 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:
- Position the cursor in a Word document.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
- If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
- Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
- Select Latin-1 Supplement from the Subset drop-down menu.
- Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the division symbol (÷) and then click it.
- Click AutoCorrect. A dialog box appears.
- In the Replace with box, enter the name of the entry (such as div).
- Click Add.
- Click OK.
- Click Close.
- 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:
- Click in the document where you want to enter an equation.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- 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.
- Click in the equation block or placeholder.
- Click the Equation tab in the Ribbon.
- Click the More arrow on the bottom right of the Symbols gallery.
- At the top of the Symbols gallery, select Basic Math from drop-down menu (typically, this is the default).
- 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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Division sign (÷), written as a horizontal line with dot above and below it. It often incorrectly written as “/”. There are three different ways to write the correct division sign in Word. Place the cursor at the desired location and use any of the following methods.
Method 1: Insert > Symbol
- Navigate to Insert Tab > Symbols and click on More Symbols.. to open Symbol window
- Select normal text in Font and Latin-1 Supplement in Subset
- Search for ÷ symbol and double click to insert.
- Click Cancel to close the Symbol Window
Method 2: Math Autocorrect Shortcut
Type div and press space to get ÷ symbol. This math autocorrect shortcut for division sign works only inside equation editor by default. However, using the following one time setting, you can make it work outside equation editor too.
Steps to Enable Math Autocorrect Outside Equation Editor
- Click Files → Options to open Word Options
- Navigate to Proofing and click AutoCorrect Options button to open Auto Correct window
- Navigate to Math Autocorrect tab
- Check the box against “Use Math Autocorrect options outside Math region“
- Click Ok and close all the dialogue boxed.
Method 3: Alt Code
Number pad keys on keyboard opens up the third shortcut to insert division symbol. Hold down Alt key and press 246 or 0247 (an alt code for division sign: 246 or 0247) to get ÷ symbol.
Summary
Three methods to insert division sign in Word are as follows
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Insert > Symbol | Navigate to Insert Tab > Symbols and click on More Symbols. Select normal text in Font and Latin-1 Supplement in Subset and double click on ÷ symbol to insert it |
| Math Autocorrect Shortcut | Type div and press space. It works in equation editor, but with one time setting, it can work outside equation editor too. |
| Alt Code | Hold Alt key and type 0247 or 246 (Alt code for ÷) in Number Pad. It works only with Number Pad. |
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Quick Help to get the divide symbol in word
The table below contains the Divide By symbol or sign which you can copy and paste into your Word document (or Project). It also has the Alt code as well as the keyboard shortcuts for both Mac and Windows.
| Name | Divide By |
| Symbol | ÷ |
| Alt Code | 0247 |
| Shortcut (Windows) | Alt + 0247 |
| Shortcut (Mac) | Option + ‘/’ |
To use the Divide By symbol (÷) shortcut on a keyboard, press down the Alt key. Whilst holding on to the Alt key, press the symbol’s Alt Code (0247) on the numeric keypad.
The above information is all you need to get the division sign into your Word document.
However, if you are not satisfied with this quick help, below is a detailed guide on how to insert the Divide By symbol or any other symbol in Word.
There are some symbols readily available as second keys on the keyboard. By pressing a few keys simultaneously, you can easily insert such symbols into your work.
Other symbols, however, aren’t that easy to type using a keyboard shortcut. One of these symbols is the Divide By symbol or division sign (÷).
Typing becomes cumbersome for the typist if he or she needs to insert some of these symbols regularly into his work.
But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Especially now that you are reading this guide.
In this tutorial, I have shown you all the easy ways to insert the Divide By symbol (÷) into Word.
Below are the various ways to insert the division symbol into Word.
Using the Divide symbol Alt code (shortcut)
Every symbol in Word has a unique code that you can use to insert the symbol into your document. This code is well known as “Alt code”.
The alt code for the “divide by” symbol is 0247.
Below are the steps to type the division symbol on your keyboard (using the Alt code):
- Press the num lock key to turn on your Num Lock. Use Fn key + NumLk keys to turn on Num Lock on laptops without a numeric keypad.
- Whilst holding down the [Alt] key, type [0247] on the numeric keypad (on the right). The alt code for the Divide symbol is 0247.
- Then release the [Alt] key. The Division (÷) symbol should appear in your document.
Divide By symbol in Word for Mac
For Mac users, the easiest way to insert the Divide By symbol into MS Word is to use the keyboard shortcut stated below:
Option + /
Copy and paste the Divide By symbol
Inserting symbols into your document can be a simple copy and paste.
You can copy and paste it again if you have already inserted it into your document. Or you can copy it from elsewhere like a webpage.
Below is the Divide By sign if you want to copy and paste it into your work:
÷
Using Insert Symbol Dialog
This approach isn’t as straight forward as the previous methods. But it’s fairly simple.
And once you get the symbol into your document, you can always copy and paste it again as and when you need it.
Below are the steps to insert a Divide By symbol in Word using the insert symbol dialog.
- On the Insert tab, click the Symbol button and choose More Symbols…
These few clicks will display the Symbol dialog box. Now it’s time to look for the symbol you want to insert.
- Locate the Symbol
To easily find the Divide By symbol in the dialog box, look at the bottom right area of the Symbol dialog box and select Unicode (hex) in the from: drop-down. Then look again at the top right area of the dialog and select Latin-1 Supplement in the Subset: drop-down.
The Divide By symbol you want to insert is part of the Latin-1 Supplement group of symbols.
- Select the symbol, and then click Insert.
Alternatively, you can just double-click on the symbol to insert it into your document.
- After inserting, close the Symbol dialog box.
This is how you may insert a Divide By symbol in Word using the insert symbol dialog.
Using Word AutoCorrect to type Divide By symbol
Another way to obtain the Divide By symbol is through the AutoCorrect feature in Word.
It is a facility designed for correcting spelling mistakes like thsi to this.
Using this feature, you can assign a shortcode to the Divide By symbol (such as DIVS).
This way, whenever you type the text DIVS, Word will think that you actually wanted to type ÷ and will convert it into the Divide By symbol automatically.
What makes this approach interesting is that you can assign any code you want to the symbol and Word will be more than glad to insert the symbol whenever you type the code.
Without further ado, below are the steps you can use to type Divide By symbol in Word using AutoCorrect.
- On the Insert tab, click Symbol and then click More Symbols…
The Symbol dialog appears.
- Locate the Divide By symbol, then click to select it.
- Click on the AutoCorrect… button to display the AutoCorrect dialog.
In the AutoCorrect dialog box, enter the following:
- Replace: DIVS
- With: ÷
- Click Add, then click OK.
Word will automatically insert the Divide By symbol into your document whenever you type DIVS.
However, below are some few things to note when you are using the AutoCorrect Method to insert the Divide By sign.
- AutoCorrect is case sensitive. Meaning if you type divs (in lowercase), Word will not convert it into the division sign unless you type DIVS (in uppercase).
- If there is any text before or after the AutoCorrect text, Word will consider the AutoCorrect text as part of the text and hence will not convert it to the Divide By symbol. For example, XDIVS will not get converted, but X DIVS will get converted to X ÷.
These are the various ways you may insert or type the division sign or symbol in Word with or without using the keyboard.
The multiplication sign × (also known as the times sign or the dimension sign) is the mathematical sign for the multiplication operation. There are several popular representations for the multiplication operation: a cross (×), a dot (⋅), or an asterisk (∗).
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:
- The multiplication sign:
- 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:
| Shortcut key | Symbol | |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplication sign | Type 00d7 or 00D7 (does not matter, uppercase or lowercase) and immediately press Alt+X | × |
| Multiplication X | Type 2715 and immediately press Alt+X | ✕ |
| Vector or cross product symbol | Type 2a2f or 2A2F and immediately press Alt+X | ⨯ |
| Middle dot | Type 00b7 or 00B7 and immediately press Alt+X | · |
| Dot symbol | Type 22c5 or 22C5 and immediately press Alt+X | ⋅ |
| Division sign | Type 00f7 or 00F7 and immediately press Alt+X | ÷ |
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.
Open the Insert tab, click Symbol and pick the ÷ division symbol to insert it in your document. Repeat the same step for each symbol you need, or paste the first division symbol.
Contents
- 1 How do you make the division symbol?
- 2 How do I make a division line in Word?
- 3 What is division and examples?
- 4 How do you make the division symbol on Windows?
- 5 What’s another symbol for divide?
- 6 What is long division method?
- 7 How do I type math symbols in Word?
- 8 How do you write a division sentence?
- 9 How do you do division on paper?
- 10 Where is the divide key on keyboard?
- 11 How do you make the division symbol on a Windows laptop without the number pad?
- 12 Is this a division symbol?
- 13 How do you make a division symbol on Google Docs?
- 14 How do you type the long division symbol?
- 15 How do you explain division to a child?
- 16 What is common division method?
How do you make the division symbol?
Press and hold the Alt key and type 0247 on your keypad. Release the Alt key.
How do I make a division line in Word?
Position the cursor near the left margin under the place you want to divide. Press and hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor to the right, drawing the divider. Release the mouse button and the “Ctrl” key. Click the divider line once it appears.
What is division and examples?
In simple words, division can be defined as the splitting of a large group into equal smaller groups.Division can be introduced by considering objects from our daily life like slices of pizza or a bar of chocolate. For example, if we divide a pizza into 4 slices, we do division. Thus, 1 ÷ 4 = 0.25.
How do you make the division symbol on Windows?
On Windows computers, turn the NUMLOCK on. Now, hold one of the alt keys and type 0247 to make ÷ sign. If it does not work, enable number lock, press alt key and type 246 without leading zero. On Microsoft Word documents, you can type 00F7 and press alt + x keys together to make a division sign.
What’s another symbol for divide?
Other symbols for division include the slash or solidus /, the colon :, and the fraction bar (the horizontal bar in a vertical fraction).
What is long division method?
Long division is a method for dividing one large multi digit number into another large multi digit number.The divisor is the number you are dividing by. The quotient is the amount each divisor receives ie the answer in most cases.
How do I type math symbols in Word?
In Word, you can insert mathematical symbols into equations or text by using the equation tools.
- On the Insert tab, in the Symbols group, click the arrow under Equation, and then click Insert New Equation.
- Under Equation Tools, on the Design tab, in the Symbols group, click the More arrow.
How do you write a division sentence?
How to Write a Division Sentence
- Write down the total number being shared or divided first.
- Next write the division sign, ÷.
- After the division sign, write down the number of groups the amount is being shared into.
- Next write the equals sign, =.
- Finally, write the number in each group after the objects have been shared.
How do you do division on paper?
On a piece of paper, write the dividend (number being divided) on the right, under the division symbol, and the divisor (number doing the division) to the left on the outside. The quotient (answer) will eventually go on top, right above the dividend.
Where is the divide key on keyboard?
How to Make a Divide Sign With Your Keyboard
- Move the cursor to the area on the page where you want to insert the division sign.
- Press the number lock key (“Num Lock”) to lock the numbers on the numeric keypad.
- Press the “Alt” key, and hold it down.
- Type the number “0247” while continuing to hold the “Alt” key.
How do you make the division symbol on a Windows laptop without the number pad?
To type the division symbol on a Windows keyboard, hold down the [Alt] key and on the numeric keyboard type 0247. When you release the [Alt] key, ÷ will appear.
Is this a division symbol?
The symbol for division, or sharing into equal groups, is ÷. It’s called the division symbol.
How do you make a division symbol on Google Docs?
Open your document and go to Insert > Special characters. Draw the symbol in the box or search for it using the word “division.” When the symbol appears, click on it to insert it in your document.
How do you type the long division symbol?
Whilst holding down the [Alt] key, type [0247] on the numeric keypad (on the right). The alt code for the Divide symbol is 0247. Then release the [Alt] key. The Division (÷) symbol should appear in your document.
How do you explain division to a child?
Before your child can begin to practice division problems, they first need to understand the concept of division. Explain it to them by relating the idea of division to the idea of sharing. Help them conceptualize it by explaining how a number of items can be shared equally between groups, and give them examples.
What is common division method?
Procedure. The common division method is a simple method to find the lowest common multiple of the given numbers. In this method, we divide the given numbers commonly by a suitable number.Repeat the same procedure until we get the numbers in which at least two numbers are not divisible by any number.