Google docs allow you to create a new document and save the file online for later use. It has become a norm for saving word documents online. The features present are extensive and are constantly improving. One of the features is to add arrows in google docs. You can also add superscript in google docs. Read the article to find out how to draw arrows in google docs and add symbols in google docs.
How to Add Arrows, Superscript and Symbols in Google Docs
We have explained about the ways to add arrows, superscript and symbols in Google Docs in this article.
How to Add Arrows in Google Docs
Following are the methods to draw arrows in Google Docs.
Method 1: Using Shortcuts for Inserting Arrows
You can also add arrows in google docs through shortcuts. You need to press the left alt key and a specific numeric letter to activate a corresponding arrow.
- Up arrow – Left alt key + 24
- Down arrow – Left alt key + 25
- Right Arrow – Left Alt + 26
- Left Arrow – Left Alt + 27
- Left and right arrow – Left Alt + 29
- Up and down arrow – Left Alt + 23
Note: Only the left alt key is to be used the right alt key won’t work.
Method 2: Insert Arrows Above Letters or Characters
This is useful for science students who want to use vector algebraic characters or a simple vector in Google docs.
1. In the menu bar, click on the Insert menu and click on Equation.
2. A box will be opened, type \vec and press the spacebar. Now, an arrow will be displayed on a blank space in which you can type.
3. Now, you can enter the vector or arrow above the character.
Also Read: How to Create a Hanging Indent in Word and Google Docs
You can add arrows in google docs from the special characters menu. Follow the below steps to know how.
1. In the menu bar, navigate to the Insert tab.
2. Click on Special characters to open the menu.
3. Now, you will see a box that displays multiple special characters. You can search for the corresponding arrow and insert it by clicking on it.
4. You can also search for arrows by entering a search term on Search by Keyword (e.g. arrow) or code point.
Method 4: Use Drawing tool to Draw Arrow
Using a drawing tool can be pretty easy and it doesn’t require you to fully draw the arrow yourself. But this method is used to add arrows in google docs from the given templates and the size of the arrow can also be edited. Also, if you want to know how to draw arrows in google docs this method is perfect for you.
1. In the Menu bar, navigate to the Insert menu and click on Drawing, and then + New.
2. After performing this action, a drawing panel will be visible on top.
3. Click on the Shapes icon and then click on Arrows.
4. You can see all the available arrows, click on the one you want to create.
5. After clicking on an arrow, draw the arrow on the page.
6. When drawing an arrow, you can also change the arrow shapes.
7. Finally, click on Save and close to insert your arrow.
Also Read: How to Add Table of Contents in Google Docs
How to Add a Superscript
When you begin to write a document, most of the characters would be composed of numbers and letters to make sense of what you are writing. If you are performing scientific writing then you will frequently need superscripts and subscripts for better notes. Superscripts and subscripts are used frequently in academics. For Microsoft Word or other word editors, there is a simple-to-use toolbar that can be used but in the case of Google Docs things are a bit different it doesn’t have to be hard, let’s see how to add superscripts and subscripts.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are the steps to add superscript in Google Docs through keyboard shortcuts.
Option I: On Windows
1. Superscript in the google docs can be activated through shortcuts, Ctrl + . (Period) is the shortcut for activating superscript in google docs.
2. Now, anything you type will be entered in superscript format.
3. To exit the superscript format press Ctrl + . keys simultaneously again.
4. If you would want to add a subscript, press Ctrl + , (comma) keys altogether to enter the subscript format.
5. Press Ctrl + , again to exit the subscript format.
Option II: On Mac
- To apply superscript on Mac, just press Command + . keys simultaneously and to exit the superscript format press Command + . keys together.
- To apply subscript, press Command + , keys at same time to enter the subscript format. Exit the subscript format using Command + , keys simultaneously.
If you want to know another way to insert superscripts and subscripts you can do so through the menu.
1. Click on Insert present on the menu and click on Equations.
2. Now, to enter superscript you need to press Shift + 6 keys together after entering a character.
3. To enter subscript you need to enter Shift + – keys at the same time after entering a character.
4. After inputting the superscript or subscript, press the Enter key to exit the format.
Option III: On Mobile
If you are using Google docs on mobile, you can enter or exit the superscript and subscript using the following steps.
1. Highlight the text you would like to change to Superscript or subscript.
2. Now, click on the Format button present on top of the screen.
3. Then, go to the Text tab and tap on X2 to enter superscript and X2 to enter subscript.
4. After entering the superscript or subscript, you can exit the format by tapping on the Format button again.
Also Read: How to Add a Page in Google Docs
How to Add Symbol on Google Docs
Some people might have needed to enter special symbols or characters such as a copyright symbol or a small circle above a letter to enter a degree value. If you are wondering to add symbols in google docs follow the steps below to add them.
1. When you have the Google docs open, click on Insert present on the menu bar.
2. Then, click on the Special Characters menu.
3. Now, choose the first drop-down box for symbols.
4. After choosing symbols, now you can select the category of the symbol you want by clicking on the second drop-down button.
5. In here you can easily select any special character or symbol from the given list.
Method 1: Draw Special characters
Sometimes, there are so many characters or symbols to choose from, these are also hidden under certain categories. If you know how to draw the symbol you are searching for, then you can easily use the drawing tool to add arrows or insert a special symbol on Google docs.
1. Go to Insert and click on Special characters.
2. Enter a sketch of the special symbol you want to insert by drawing it in the provided space.
3. Google docs will automatically recognize the drawing and suggest symbols identical to your drawing.
4. You can just select the symbol by tapping on the corresponding symbol.
5. You can also search for a corresponding symbol in the special characters menu. You just need to enter the symbol name and Google docs will suggest you the best match.
Method 2: Insert Unicode Value
If you find it a hassle to search for or draw a character constantly, you can use a Unicode Value to input special symbols. Before inserting a Unicode Value, you first need to know what code brings up the symbol you want to input.
1. Go to Insert and click on Special characters.
2. Then, search for the symbol you are looking for, if you found the symbol you are looking for. Hover your cursor over the symbol and note down the value that is present under the symbol.
3. Now, you can see the Unicode of that particular character. You can use this Unicode on the search box to bring up the symbol fast and at any time.
Also Read: How to Recover Deleted Google Docs
Method 3: Use Substitution Character Feature
If you frequently use one of the special symbols and would rather not like go to a certain menu for inserting symbols, there is another way. Although it needs a bit of work it is easier after the work is done.
1. First, insert a special character or symbol from the corresponding Special character menu into the document.
2. The special character menu can be accessed by clicking on Insert and then Special Characters.
3. After inserting the symbol, highlight the symbol, right-click it and click on Copy.
4. Now, in the menu bar, click on Tools and then, click on Preferences.
5. Navigate to the Substitution tab and enter a symbol on Replace tab.
6. Now, enter a symbol that you need to enter when you type the shortcut on the With side.
7. Finally, click on OK to save.
8. Here onwards whenever you will enter left-arrow in the blank document, Google docs will replace the value with the left arrow symbol entered.
Method 4: Use Shortcut for Corresponding Special Symbol
You can use shortcut buttons for entering a corresponding special symbol, there are many shortcuts you can use to enter the symbol you need.
- For example, to enter a copyright symbol you need to enter Alt + 0169 keys simultaneously.
Note: For keyboards, without dedicated number pads you can use FN (function key) along with the Alt key and type in the numerical characters on the number row.
- On Mac, you need to press Option + G keys together to enter a copyright symbol.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will I need superscripts?
Ans. While writing documents, you will need to enter ordinals for example (1st, 2nd, 3rd) this can be a useful tool to use the superscript. Also, you can use the superscript in mathematical formulae or even in the normal formula.
Q2. When is subscript needed?
Ans. Most often, a subscript is used in chemical formulas (H2O, CO2, etc.) and physics.
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We hope the above article on How to Add Arrows in Google Docs was helpful to you and you were able to enter an arrow on your document. Let us know which method worked best for you in the comment below. If you have any queries/suggestions about the article feel free to share them, Thanks.
