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How to insert a © (copyright symbol) using Microsoft Word 2016 (or any other version)?

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  • 8
    Cheap solution: Since you already have the symbol on here, just copy and paste it.
    – KingLogic
    Jan 26, 2021 at 23:33

11 Answers 11

43

Assuming you have auto-correct enabled, type (+c+)

Also works with (+r+) for the Registered symbol, and (+t+) for the Trademarked symbol [shout out to dissemin8or].

Note: The above are case insensitive.

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  • 2
    This requires auto-correct to be enabled - although this is, of course, a default
    – Andrew
    Jan 25, 2021 at 8:42
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    It is not case sensitive. Jan 25, 2021 at 15:16
  • @RichMichaels I assumed the same but convinced myself it was after playing with it this morning. Having checked again, you're right. Answer updated. Jan 25, 2021 at 16:13
  • 1
    Also works for the (tm) symbol Jan 25, 2021 at 22:07
  • The value of using the AutoCorrect function is it works across all Microsoft Office applications. Word, Outlook, Excel, OneNote, Access and it works on Windows and Mac platforms. Jan 27, 2021 at 3:33
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On Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt + C to insert © (copyright symbol).

Tested with MS Word 2016.

As commented by @Richard:

Another way is to hold down Alt and type numpad digits 0169, then release Alt button. This work anywhere not only in MS Word.

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  • 1
    As a backup, holding down Alt and typing 0 1 6 9 also works.
    – Richard
    Jan 25, 2021 at 10:23
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    These do not work on any Mac versions of Microsoft Office applications. The AutoCorrect sequence of (c) works or also Option Key+g Jan 25, 2021 at 15:25
  • 11
    The Alt+Number key sequence requires you to be using a number pad, though. If you're like me and have a laptop without one, for instance, you're out of luck on that method Jan 25, 2021 at 16:37
  • @RichMichaels Option+g? Weird. On a French keyboard it's a more natural Option+c.
    – jcaron
    Jan 25, 2021 at 16:54
  • 2
    A third way that works in all recent versions, both Mac and Windows, is to use the "Insert Symbol" option in the ribbon. Jan 25, 2021 at 17:03
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On Windows 10, regardless of what application is running, you can bring up an "emoji keyboard" which also contains many useful symbols:

Hold down the Windows/flag key, and press the . or ; key.

The window that pops up is split into three main sections along the top:

  • Graphical emojis (marked 🙂)
  • Text-based emoticons/smileys/kaomoji (marked ;-)
  • Punctuation and symbols (marked Ω)

Each of those three sections has sub-sections selected along the bottom.

To get to "©":

  • Select the section labelled Ω ("Symbols" if you hover over it) at the top
  • Select the sub-section labelled < ("General punctuation" if you hover over it) at the bottom

Once you use it (or any other symbol) once, it will appear on the sub-section marked with a clock, which is your recently used items.

Screenshot showing selected section and sub-section

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  • 1
    Never knew about this, thanks. Jan 25, 2021 at 20:21
  • You can even type in the emoji keyboard window: After pressing Windows + ., start by typing the first few letters, e.g. cop, then press Enter.
    – Berend
    Jan 26, 2021 at 9:20
  • @Berend I didn't mention that, because it only searches the emojis, not the other sections. Oddly, though, "Copyright" is listed as an emoji, so it does work in this case!
    – IMSoP
    Jan 26, 2021 at 9:23
  • You're right. I hardly ever use the emoji keyboard, and only tried it now to see if there was an easier way to find a symbol (it's on the last tab for me, not the 3rd, i.e. the one with the Heart icon)
    – Berend
    Jan 26, 2021 at 9:32
  • @Berend Oh, I wasn't as clear as I could have been. The dialogue has sections along the top, each of which has sub-sections along the bottom. The "third tab" I was talking about is the Ω at the top, which then has its own sub-sections.
    – IMSoP
    Jan 26, 2021 at 9:56
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Posting this in addition to the other great answers, since it works for any symbol:

On the ribbon, "Insert" > "Symbol" > "Copyright Sign" (see "Special Characters" tab for Shortcut keys)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-symbol-in-word-2a061ae9-5a6c-4407-b618-8dc3c9fd4f44

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  • In addition, if you have old shortcuts enabled, then Alt+I, S opens Symbols dialog either - faster than using ribbon.
    – Arvo
    Jan 26, 2021 at 10:42
9

Just to add another method in Windows not mentioned in other answers, you can use the Character Map app:

Start > Windows Accessories > Character Map

or from the Run prompt:

WinKey + R > charmap

It contains all the characters for all the installed fonts in a GUI app that you can select, copy to the clipboard and paste anywhere in Windows that accepts text. It also displays the ASCII keystroke code if available for a particular character (Alt+0169 for © as mentioned in @ComradeChe 's answer).

More information from Microsoft Support.

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Mac instructions

For completeness, on a Mac, you can use Option-G to make the copyright © symbol.

PS: Option-2 is the trademark ™ symbol and Option-R is the registered trademark ® symbol.

Note: these are built-in to OSX so work in any application

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    Also, it's worth pointing out that these are general macOS shortcuts that work in Word. I can still use them here in Chrome as well. Jan 25, 2021 at 23:28
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Not specific to Word, but another option that applies to all applications is character composition. For instance you might use the sequence (compose)CO for ©, (compose)e' for é, (compose)!? for ‽, and so on, where AtlGr is usually used as the compose key on a standard English keyboard layout.

The advantage of this approach is being able to easily define your own sequences for special characters, and it working consistently in almost every application rather than relying on each app to have consistent auto-correct rules.

There are a few tools that enable this in Windows, the one I use is https://github.com/samhocevar/wincompose.

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Another method is simply to press and hold Alt whilst typing Num1Num8Num4. This works in all programs in Windows – including Notepad and your browser’s address bar – and has been a standard key combination since at least Windows 95, if my memory serves me well. To get the ® symbol, do the same, but with Num1Num6Num9. To get the ™ symbol, do the same, but with Num0Num1Num5Num3. (Leading zero required; this is not from the basic ASCII tables. Note that this is the same number as the symbol’s Unicode codepoint in decimal.)

In general, any symbol on the printable characters ASCII list and the extended ASCII list can be entered using the two–three digit code. For the ASCII code points <32, you will get another set of symbols:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
§
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I see your question has been well answered, but here are two more ideas that work not IN but WITH Word, and are expansible to accommodate any symbol/ character.

The Neanderthal solution (which I use all the time): Keep all the strange characters you like in a text file I call SymPal.txt (symbol palette), and place a shortcut on your desktop. Mine starts with –éà£ïçü, progresses through ©(ɔ)®≈ (there isn't yet a copyleft symbol, so that one's more of a reminder), and then through Greek, pinyin tones, and the IPA. You get the idea. Over many years, mine has accumulated over 1k characters and needs tidying, but it's too simple ever not to work. No mouse clicks required, and what you put at the top or lower down is entirely up to you.

The 'ultimate solution' (started using, but needs more time to fiddle with): Use a keyboard layout editor (such as MSKLC.exe). You can place your favourite rarities on the Alt layer, Alt-Shift, and so forth, save your custom layout, access/ turn it off through Windows' language-switching shortcuts, and use the file on different computers.

Both solutions apply to all and any programs, just in case you don't want to open Word every time you want to type ©.

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    Keeping a text file saved sounds all quite advanced to me... what I do a lot is to open a text editor, hold down Alt Gr, and press all of the keys on my keyboard until the one I want appears. If it doesn't then I also hold down Shift and try again. Alt Gr + Shift + C gives me © :-D
    – Aaron F
    Jan 26, 2021 at 14:52
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    @Aaron F: Americans (or at least, those using the U.S. keyboard layout) don't have AltGr; both Alt keys do exactly the same things. I used to use the U.K. layout but like having the Alt + cursor arrow navigation shortcuts under one hand, so I switched after Lenovo took the dedicated keys away. Jan 28, 2021 at 18:29
  • Ah I didn't know the US keyboard layout didn't have Alt Gr
    – Aaron F
    Jan 28, 2021 at 19:36
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The default autocorrection mappings turn (C) into © for you as you type. Word has had that built-in for at least ten years now.

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If autocorrect is OFF, run "Character Map" app to choose the symbol, then copy & paste. Otherwise enter (c) and it will be converted.

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