06 Easy Steps How to Insert Delta Symbol in Excel?

This tutorial is the continuation of the How To Use Excel Symbol (Degree Symbol, Check Mark Symbol)

The delta symbol in Excel is generally used to show the difference between values. We can apply any of the following 06 methods to insert delta symbol in Excel (Δ or ▲): 

➢ METHOD 1: USING THE EXCEL SHORTCUT TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

Select a cell where to insert the delta symbol ➪ Press the F2 key or double-clicking on it to activate the edit mode (this step is optional)➪ Apply the Excel Shortcut Alt+30 (hold down the Alt key and then press 30 from the numeric keypad on the keyboard).

If we want to apply it to other cells, simply copy the delta symbol and paste it to other cells one by one. 

■ Note: This Method only works on the 10 keys numeric keypad, otherwise it doesn’t work.

➢ METHOD 2: USING THE CHAR() FUNCTION TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

This method is best for applying the Delta symbol in a range of cells.

We can use the CHAR() function to insert delta symbol in Excel, for example, =CHAR(114) ➪ As a result, the code ‘r‘ appears in a cell ➪ Then change the font to Windings 3 from the Front group under the Home tab. As an outcome, the code “r” will be converted into a delta symbol.

Similarly, we can insert the delta symbol with center fill with the CHAR() function =CHAR(112) ➪ As a result, the code ‘p‘ appears in a cell ➪ Then change the font to Windings 3 from the Front group under the Home tab. As an outcome, the code “p” will be converted into a delta symbol (with center fill).

We can add the delta symbol in a range of cells with the help of the cell reference and concatenate function, for example, =CHAR(114)&A1.

After applying the formula in a single cell, we can extend the formula till the end of the range ➪ Then copy (Ctrl+C) the range and press Alt+E+S+V (sequentially press Alt, E, S, V) or press Alt+Ctrl+V+V (press Alt+Ctrl+V, then V) which will select the Values option in the Paste Special dialog box ➪ Finally, press Enter or click OK. As a result, all the formulas will be converted into values.

■ Note: We had detail discussed on Paste Special in a separate tutorial, suggested you read this tutorial: Paste Special in Excel Vs Break Link – Which one is Better?

After converting into values, press Ctrl+H which will open the Replace Tab in Find and Replace dialog box ➪ Type ‘r‘ in the Find what: box; and paste the delta symbol (▲) or press Alt+30 from 10 keys numeric pad in the Replace with: box ➪ Finally, press Replace All.

As a result, all the ‘r‘ characters will be replaced with the delta symbol (▲ or Δ ). 

■ Note: We had detail discussed on Find and Replace in a separate tutorial, suggested you read this tutorial: 07 Points Guided You How to Find And Replace in Excel?

➢ METHOD 3: USING THE SYMBOL DIALOG BOX TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

Select a cell where to insert degree symbol ➪ Press the F2 key or double-clicking on it to activate the edit mode ➪ Press Alt+N+U (sequentially press Alt, N, U) which will open the Symbol dialog box (Equivalently, Insert tab ➪ Symbol drop-down ➪ Click Symbol) ➪ Find and Select the Greek and Copic from the Subset drop-down ➪ Scroll down to select the delta symbol and click Insert. As a result, the delta symbol is inserted into the cell.

Equivalently, we can type the specific character code 394 in the ‘Character code:’ box and select Unicode (hex) from the ‘from:’ dropdown (if required). Excel, by default, selects the delta symbol and click Insert. 

➢ METHOD 4: USING CAPITAL ALPHABET TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

Select a cell where to insert delta symbol ➪ Type capital letter D (or press Shift+D) ➪  Select this character and change the font to Symbol from the Front group under the Home tab. As a result, the capital letter “D” will be converted into a delta symbol. 

■ Note: We can change the color of the delta symbol (likes red, green, etc.) and make it bold (press Ctrl+B) too.

➢ METHOD 5: USING AUTOCORRECT TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

Select a cell where to insert degree symbol ➪ Press the F2 key or double-clicking on it to activate the edit mode ➪ Press Alt+F+T (sequentially press Alt, F, T) which will open the Excel Options dialog box (Equivalently, File tab → Options) ➪ Select Proofing from the left sidebar ➪ Click ‘AutoCorrect Options‘ which will open the AutoCorrect dialog box ➪ Type DELTA in ‘Replace:‘ box. Paste the delta symbol from another place in ‘With:‘ box ➪ Click Add, then press OK twice.

Select a cell where to insert the delta symbol ➪ Press the F2 key or double-clicking on it to activate the edit mode ➪ Type DELTA and press Spacebar. As a result, a delta symbol appears in a cell. 

➢ METHOD 6: USING CUSTOM FORMATTING TO INSERT DELTA SYMBOL IN EXCEL

For the Excel dashboard (Summary) preparation, we can easily insert the delta symbol in a range of cells.

(01) Select the range of cells with Ctrl+⬇ or Shift +⬇ ➪ Then press Ctrl+1 which will open the Format Cells dialog box ➪ Select Custom format in the Number tab and input in the ‘Type:‘ box

▲ General

As a result, both the positive and negative numbers are mapped with the delta symbol (▲) .

(02) Select the range of cells with Ctrl+⬇ or Shift +⬇ ➪ Then press Ctrl+1 which will open the Format Cells dialog box ➪ Select Custom format in the Number tab and input in the ‘Type:‘ box

▲ General; ▼ -General;

As a result, the positive are mapped with the delta symbol (▲) and the negative numbers are mapped with the inverted delta symbol (▼)

(03) Select the range of cells with Ctrl+⬇ or Shift +⬇ ➪ Then press Ctrl+1 which will open the Format Cells dialog box ➪ Select Custom format in the Number tab and input in the ‘Type:‘ box

[Green]▲ General; [Red]▼ -General;

As a result, the positive are mapped with the green delta symbol (▲) and the negative numbers are mapped with the red inverted delta symbol (▼)