Create shortcuts to symbols and special characters

If you will use a symbol or special character regularly, you should create a shortcut to the symbol. There are two types of shortcuts you can create for a symbol:

• A shortcut key. This allows you to press a keystroke combination to insert the symbol.
• An AutoCorrect entry.

To create a shortcut key to a symbol:

1. Choose Insert → Symbol.
2. Select the symbol.
3. Click Shortcut Key.
4. In the Press new shortcut key box, press the keyboard shortcut you wish to use. A shortcut key should include one or more modifiers (Ctrl, Shift, and/or Alt) and a letter or number.
   If a shortcut key is already assigned to a command, that command will appear in the Currently assigned to section. You can overwrite the default shortcuts. The goal is for Word to work the way you want it to work.
   Many of Word's built-in shortcut keys use the Ctrl modifier. We recommend you use Alt or a combination of two modifiers (Ctrl+Shift, Alt+Shift, or Ctrl+Alt) to create custom shortcuts. That way, you are less likely to run into conflicts where you have to overwrite an existing shortcut with a custom shortcut.
5. Click Assign.
6. Click Close to close the Customize Keyboard dialog box.
7. Click Cancel or Close to close the Symbol dialog box.