Insert Copyright, Trademark & Registered Trademark Symbol in Excel

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Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool for creating and managing spreadsheets, but sometimes you need to include special characters like copyright (©), trademark (™), and registered trademark (®) symbols in your Excel worksheets.

These symbols can enhance your content, especially when you need to represent legally protected information or branded terms. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step on how to easily insert these symbols into your Excel documents.

Why Use Copyright, Trademark, and Registered Trademark Symbols in Excel?

Using copyright, trademark, and registered trademark symbols in your Excel sheets can:

• Indicate ownership of intellectual property.
• Add professionalism to your documents.
• Ensure compliance with legal or branding guidelines.
• Communicate important information clearly.

Whether you’re creating a report, managing brand-related data, or documenting intellectual property, knowing how to add these symbols can save you time and effort.

Methods to Insert Copyright, Trademark, and Registered Trademark Symbols in Excel

There are several ways to insert copyright (©), trademark (™), and registered trademark (®) symbols into Excel. Let’s explore these methods in detail.

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are one of the quickest ways to insert symbols in Excel. Here are the shortcuts for both Windows and Mac users:

Windows

1. Select the cell where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard.
3. Enter the numeric code (e.g., 0174 for registered trademark).
4. Release the Alt key, and the symbol will appear in the cell.

Mac

1. Click on the target cell.
2. Hold down the Option key.
3. Press the corresponding key for the desired symbol.

Tip: Ensure that your keyboard’s number pad is activated for the Windows shortcuts to work.

2. Using the Insert Symbol Feature

Excel provides an in-built option to insert special characters, including copyright, trademark, and registered trademark symbols.

1. Select the cell where you want the symbol.
2. Go to the Insert tab in the ribbon menu.
3. Click on Symbol in the “Text” group.
4. In the Symbol dialog box, choose the following options:
   • Font: Select a font like “Arial” or “Calibri.”
   • Subset: Scroll down to find “Latin-1 Supplement.”
5. Look for the desired symbol (©, ™, or ®) and click Insert.
6. Close the Symbol dialog box.

This method is especially useful if you’re unfamiliar with keyboard shortcuts or need to explore additional symbols.

3. Using ASCII or Unicode Codes

Excel supports both ASCII and Unicode codes, which can be used to insert special characters.

ASCII Method (Windows Only):

1. Select the target cell.
2. Press and hold the Alt key.
3. Type the ASCII code for the desired symbol using the numeric keypad:
   • Copyright: 0169
   • Trademark: 0153
   • Registered Trademark: 0174
4. Release the Alt key.

Unicode Method:

1. Type the Unicode for the symbol in the target cell:
   • Copyright: 00A9
   • Trademark: 2122
   • Registered Trademark: 00AE
2. After typing the code, press Alt + X (Windows) to convert it into the symbol.

4. Copy and Paste Method

Another simple way to add copyright, trademark, and registered trademark symbols to Excel is by copying them from another source and pasting them into your worksheet.

1. Open a text editor (e.g., Notepad, Word, or a web browser).
2. Copy the desired symbol (©, ™, or ®).
3. Return to your Excel worksheet.
4. Select the target cell and press Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) to paste it.

This method is ideal when you’re working on a device without a numeric keypad or shortcut keys.

5. Using Formulas for Symbols

Excel formulas can also be used to insert symbols into cells. This is particularly helpful when you need to automate symbol insertion across multiple cells.

Formula Example:

Steps:

1. Type the formula in the target cell.
2. Press Enter, and the symbol will appear.

Note: These formulas use the CHAR function, which references ASCII codes.

6. Using AutoCorrect for Quick Insertion

You can customize Excel’s AutoCorrect feature to automatically replace specific text with symbols.

1. Go to File > Options > Proofing.
2. Click on AutoCorrect Options.
3. In the AutoCorrect dialog box, do the following:
   • Type a shortcut in the “Replace” field (e.g., (r) for registered trademark).
   • Enter the symbol (©, ™, or ®) in the “With” field.
4. Click Add and then OK.

Now, whenever you type (c), (tm), or (r), Excel will automatically replace it with the corresponding symbol.

7. Using VBA Code

If you frequently use copyright, trademark, and registered trademark symbols, you can automate their insertion using a simple VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) macro.

Example VBA Code:

Sub InsertSymbols()
    Dim rng As Range
    Set rng = Application.InputBox("Select the cell to insert a symbol:", Type:=8)
    Dim symbolChoice As Integer
    symbolChoice = MsgBox("Press Yes for Copyright (©), No for Trademark (™), or Cancel for Registered Trademark (®)", vbYesNoCancel, "Choose Symbol")

    If symbolChoice = vbYes Then
        rng.Value = "©"
    ElseIf symbolChoice = vbNo Then
        rng.Value = "™"
    ElseIf symbolChoice = vbCancel Then
        rng.Value = "®"
    End If
End Sub

Steps to Use the Macro:

1. Press Alt + F11 to open the VBA editor.
2. Insert a new module and paste the code.
3. Close the VBA editor and return to Excel.
4. Press Alt + F8, select the macro, and click Run.
5. Follow the prompts to insert the desired symbol.

Caution: Enable macros only from trusted sources to avoid security risks.

Best Practices for Using Copyright, Trademark, and Registered Trademark Symbols in Excel

• Consistency: Ensure that symbols are placed uniformly throughout your worksheet.
• Font Compatibility: Use common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman to ensure symbols display correctly.
• Accessibility: Avoid overusing symbols, as they might clutter your spreadsheet and make it harder to read.
• Legal Compliance: Only use symbols when necessary and in compliance with intellectual property laws.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while inserting copyright, trademark, or registered trademark symbols, consider the following solutions:

Issue 1: Symbols Not Displaying Correctly

Solution: Ensure you’re using a compatible font. Switch to a standard font like Arial or Calibri.

Issue 2: Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working

Solution: Verify that your numeric keypad is active. For laptops without a dedicated number pad, enable “Num Lock.”

Issue 3: AutoCorrect Not Functioning

Solution: Double-check the AutoCorrect settings and ensure the shortcuts are properly configured.

Final Thoughts

Inserting copyright, trademark, and registered trademark symbols in Excel is a straightforward process when you know the right methods. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, the Symbol menu, formulas, or VBA macros, Excel offers plenty of ways to enhance your worksheets with these special characters. Choose the method that best fits your workflow and start adding professionalism and clarity to your spreadsheets.

Vaishvi Desai

Vaishvi Desai is the founder of Excelsamurai and a passionate Excel enthusiast with years of experience in data analysis and spreadsheet management. With a mission to help others harness the power of Excel, Vaishvi shares her expertise through concise, easy-to-follow tutorials on shortcuts, formulas, Pivot Tables, and VBA.