For people working in fields like mathematics, physics, or engineering, it’s common to use the alpha symbol (α) in Excel.
This symbol is often used to represent angles, coefficients, or specific constants.
I am sure you read about it in school, and since you’re reading this article, I can assume you also use it in your work.
In this article, I will guide you through several easy methods to insert the alpha symbol in Excel.
Note: Alpha can be denoted by the capital Alpha symbol (A) and the small Alpha symbol (α). In this article, I will be focussing on showing you how to insert the small Alpha symbol, as the capital Alpha symbol is nothing but the alphabet A.
Insert Alpha Symbol (α) in Excel
Below are some details about the alpha symbol, followed by different methods to insert it in Excel:
| Details / Methods | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol Name | Alpha Symbol (α) |
| Symbol | α |
| Keyboard Shortcut in Windows | ALT + 224 |
| Formula | =UNICHAR(945) |
Copy and Paste Alpha Symbol into Excel
The simplest method to get the alpha symbol in Excel is by copying it from another source and pasting it into your spreadsheet.
Here is the alpha symbol for you to copy:
α
To copy this symbol, use Control + C, navigate to the desired cell in Excel, and use Control + V to paste it.
Keyboard Shortcut to Insert the Alpha Symbol in Excel
If you use the alpha symbol often in your work, you can memorize and use the below keyboard shortcut.
ALT + 224
To use this shortcut, follow these steps:
- Select the cell where you want the Alpha symbol.
- Hold down the ALT key.
- While holding the ALT key, type 2, 2, and 4 in sequence on the numeric keypad.
- Release the ALT key.
As soon as you release the ALT key, the alpha symbol (α) will appear in the selected cell.
Note: This method requires your keyboard to have the numeric keypad, and the Num Lock must be on.
Pro Tip: To insert the alpha symbol in MS Word, type 03B1 and then press ALT + X. This shortcut also works in MS Outlook but not in PowerPoint. Also, if the alpha symbol is at the beginning of a sentence, Word/Outlook would automatically convert it into the capital alpha symbol A.
Formula to Insert the Alpha Symbol
You can use the following formula to return the alpha symbol:
=UNICHAR(945)
After inserting the alpha symbol using this formula, you can remove the formula to keep the static symbol character in the cell.
Also read: Insert Omega Symbol in Excel
Insert Alpha Symbol Using the Symbol Dialog Box
Excel’s Symbol dialog box is another way to insert the alpha symbol:
- Select the cell where you want to insert the symbol.
- Click the ‘Insert’ tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the ‘Symbol’ icon to open the Symbol dialog box.
- Choose ‘Greek and Coptic’ from the Subset dropdown.
- Locate the alpha symbol and double-click on it (or select it and click on the Insert button).
This action will insert the alpha symbol into the cell.
Shortcut: Use ALT + N + U to open the Symbol dialog box directly.
Pro Tip: To quickly find the alpha symbol, enter 03B1 in the Character code field in the Symbol dialog box.
Also read: Insert X-Bar Symbol in Excel
Using the Insert Equation Option
If you don’t want to remember any ALT code shortcut or formula, another way to get the alpha symbol within Excel is by using the Equation trick.
Below are the steps to get the alpha symbol using the Equation option:
- Click the Insert tab
- Click on the Equations icon. This will insert an equation box in the worksheet area.
- Remove what is already there and type the following text:
/alpha
- Press the space bar key on your keyboard
As soon as you type /alpha and then hit the space bar key, it converts the text into the alpha symbol.
You need to enter the text in lowercase only. If you enter \Alpha, it will return A, which is the symbol for capital alpha.
Cool trick… right?
This works for other Greek symbols, such as beta, gamma, or sigma.
One benefit of this method is that you don’t need to leave Excel and remember any ALT code or shortcuts.
Also read: Insert Sigma Symbol in Excel
Using the Character Map
The Character Map in Windows is another tool to find and insert the alpha symbol:
- Search for ‘Character Map’ in the Windows search bar.
- Open the Character Map app.
- Check the ‘Advanced View’ option for more options.
- In the Search field, type ‘alpha’ and press enter.
- Find the alpha symbol, double-click it, then click the ‘Copy’ button.
- Paste the symbol in Excel or any other application.
This method works independently of Excel and can be used in other MS Office apps.
I hope this article helps you easily insert the alpha symbol in Excel. If you have any thoughts or know other methods, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
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