Creating Custom Shortcuts for Symbols in Word

Overview:

In Microsoft Word, you can create your own custom shortcuts for common symbols you may use for your coursework.  This can be useful for certain mathematical, scientific, monetary and international language characters that are not easily accessible on a keyboard. 

NOTE:  This article will be going over how to make your own shortcuts but if you would like to look at preexisting shortcuts created by Microsoft for international language characters such as (à, á, â, ã, ä, å, æ, œ, ç, ð, ø, ¿, ¡, ß) then follow this link:  https://radford.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0011995

Creating Custom Keyboard Shortcuts for Symbols

1. In a Word document, click on the Insert tab at the top.

2. On the very right click on Symbol and select More Symbols…

3. The Symbol menu will appear.  Find the symbol you would like to create a custom keyboard shortcut for and click on it so it is highlighted.  You can see the name of the symbol near the bottom left under Unicode name: and you can see the shortcut for this symbol next to where it says Shortcut Key…  Whether or not you set a shortcut, there will always be something here as every symbol or character has its own personal shortcut with a combination of a number and ALT.

NOTE:  A symbol or character can have more than one shortcut so if you do not want to use the given shortcut or unsure how to use the given shortcut, you can create another shortcut that is easier for you to use.

4. To create a new shortcut for the highlighted symbol, click on the Shortcut Key… button.

5. On this screen you should see the symbol you selected under Commands that is highlighted.  Underneath that will be a box where you can input your custom shortcut for this symbol or character that says Press new shortcut key:  This box will not have anything in it until you press the shortcut keys you plan to use.  To the left of the custom shortcut creator you will see a box that may have text under Current keys: that lets you know already existing shortcuts for the symbol or character selected.

6. To create your custom shortcut, input the shortcut you would like to use for the symbol or character in the Press new shortcut key: box.  Once you have done this, you will be able to see the assignment status of the shortcut.  If you want to change the shortcut you just inputted, you can simply delete it.  Once you are satisfied with your custom shortcut, click on Assign.

7. If you want to remove a shortcut from a symbol or character, then click on the shortcut you would like to remove underneath Current keys: and then click on Remove.

8. You have two options for how you want these custom shortcuts to be used:
   
   1. If you would like ALL Word documents to use these custom shortcuts, then make sure Normal.dotm is selected next to Save Changes in: 

9. 
   
   2. If you want these shortcuts for ONLY the document you are working on, click on the drop-down box next to Save Changes in: and select the document name you are currently working on.  Make sure you are doing this process in the document you want these shortcuts to be in.

10. When you are done changing your custom keyboard shortcuts click on Close.  You should now be able to use your custom keyboard shortcuts to insert your chosen symbol or character.

NOTE:  Microsoft Outlook has the exact same process and interface when creating custom keyboard shortcuts with an email open but keep in mind that Outlook utilizes the ALT key more than Word so custom keyboard shortcuts are more limited as to which keys can be used.  The preexisting Microsoft international language shortcuts can be used in Outlook and Word.  Learn more:  https://radford.service-now.com/kb_view.do?sysparm_article=KB0011995

If you experience issues or have any questions regarding this topic, please contact the TAC at 540-831-7500 or enter a support ticket at www.radford.edu/itonestop.