Less than or equal to is a mathematical symbol that represents inequality between two values. You may want to use it when working with comparisons, mathematical formulas, or data analysis.
While in most cases, you can represent less than equal to with <=, the actual symbol is a less than operator with a line at the bottom (≤).
In this short article, I will show a couple of ways to insert the Less-Than or Equal-to symbol in Excel.
Insert Less Than Or Equal To Symbol in Excel
Below are some details about the Less Than Or Equal To symbol in Excel.
| Details / Methods | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol Name | Less Than Or Equal To Symbol |
| Symbol | ≤ |
| Windows Shortcut | ALT + 243 |
| Mac Shortcut | Option + , |
| Formula | =UNICHAR(8804) |
| Symbol Dialog Box | Select the ‘Mathematical Operator’ subset in the Symbols dialog box, then find and insert the Less-Than or Equal To sign |
| Character Map | Use Windows Character Map to find and insert the Less-Than or Equal To sign |
Copy and Paste the Less Than Or Equal To Symbol into Excel
Below, I have given the Less-than or Equal-to sign that you can copy and use in your Excel worksheet.
≤
Use Control + C to copy this symbol, then navigate to any cell in Excel and press Control + V to paste it.
Keyboard Shortcut to Insert Less Than Or Equal To Symbol in Excel
Below is the keyboard shortcut you can use to insert the Less Than Or Equal To symbol in Excel:
For Windows
ALT + 243
To use the above shortcut, hold the ALT key and then press the 2, 4, and 3 keys on your numeric keypad. Also, ensure that the NUM lock is enabled.
For Mac
Option + ,
To use this shortcut, hold the option key and then press the comma (,) key on your keyboard.
Pro Tip: If you want to insert the Less-Than or Equal-to symbol in Microsoft Word or Outlook, type 2264, hold the ALT key, and then press the X key. It will convert 2264 to ≤ sign.
Also read: Insert Arrows in Excel
Formula to Get the Less Than Or Equal To Symbol
Below is the formula you can use in Excel to get the Less-than or Equal-to symbol as a result of the formula:
=UNICHAR(8804)
Using the Equation Symbols in Excel Ribbon
One easy way that doesn’t require you to remember any keyboard shortcut or alt code is by using the equation tab in the Excel Ribbon.
This method would insert the less than or equal to symbol in the equation text box that you can then copy and use in Excel.
Below are the steps to get the Less-Than Equal-To sign using the Equation option in Excel:
- Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon
- Click on the Equation option in the symbols group.
- This will insert an equation text box in the worksheet and open the Equation tab in the ribbon.
- Select the ≤ symbol in the Symbols group. This will insert the symbol in the equation text box in the worksheet.
- Copy the symbol from the equation text box and paste it into a cell in Excel.
I prefer this method as it doesn’t require me to remember any keyboard shortcut, formula, or ALT code.
Also read: Insert Infinity Symbol in Excel
Inserting Less Than Or Equal To Symbol Using the Symbol Dialog Box
Another way to get the ≤ symbol is by using the Symbol dialog box in Excel.
Below are the steps you can use to insert the Less Than Or Equal To symbol in Excel:
- Select the cell where you want the symbol.
- Click the Insert tab in the ribbon.
- Click on the Symbol icon to open the Symbol dialog box.
- In the dialog box, select the ‘Mathematical Operator’ from the Subset drop-down.
- Find and double click on the Less-than or Equal-to symbol (or select the symbol and then click on the insert button)
The above steps would insert the ≤ symbol in the cell you selected in step 1.
Note: You can also quickly locate the ≤ symbol by manually typing 2264 in the Character Code field. As soon as you enter 2264, it will Automatically select the less than or equal to symbol.
Also read: Insert Approximate (Almost Equal To) Symbol in Excel
Using the Character Map App on Windows
The Character Map in Windows is also a handy tool to find and insert the “less than or equal to” symbol in Excel:
- Search for Character Map in the Windows search bar and open it.
- In the Character Map dialog box, check the ‘Advanced view’ option. This will show you some additional options in the Character Map dialog box.
- Type ‘Less’ in the ‘Search for’ field and press Enter. This will search and give you all the symbols that have the word less in their name.
- Double-click on the Less-Than or Equal-to symbol and then click on the copy button. This will copy the symbol to the clipboard.
- Paste in the desired cell in Excel.
This method is versatile and can be used in any Windows application, including all MS Office apps.
I hope you found this Excel article helpful.
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, and let me know if you have other methods to insert the “less than or equal to” symbol in Excel.
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