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Tick Mark Shortcut in Excel

ExcelExcelTicks and crossesChecked 2 Nov 2026

Formula tick

=

Type =UNICHAR(10003) and press Enter

Wingdings font

Alt0252

Set the cell font to Wingdings first

Wingdings 2 font

ShiftP

Symbol panel

Win.

The tick mark shortcut in Excel that works in any font is a formula: type =UNICHAR(10003) in a cell and press Enter to get ✓. For a bold tick use 10004, and 10007 gives a cross. Copy the cell with Ctrl + C and paste it wherever you need ticks.

The traditional method uses symbol fonts: set the cell font to Wingdings and press Alt + 0252 on the number pad, or choose Wingdings 2 and tap Shift + P. Ticks can also appear automatically based on a status, as shown below.

Quick facts

  • Tick formula

    =UNICHAR(10003)

  • Bold tick

    =UNICHAR(10004)

  • Cross

    =UNICHAR(10007)

  • Wingdings

    Alt + 0252

  • Wingdings 2

    Shift + P tick, Shift + O cross

  • Any tick from panel

    Win + .

Tick mark shortcut in Excel: every method

Ways to put a tick in a cell
MethodHowNotes
UNICHAR formula=UNICHAR(10003)Works in any font with the symbol
Wingdings fontFont Wingdings, then Alt + 0252Needs number pad
Wingdings 2 fontFont Wingdings 2, then Shift + PCross is Shift + O
Symbol panelWin + ., SymbolsLaptop friendly
Insert SymbolAlt, then N, then UPick from the full list

How to insert tick mark in Excel with the shortcut key

  1. Click the cell for the tick.
  2. Change the font to Wingdings 2 using the font box (Ctrl + Shift + F opens Format Cells, Font tab).
  3. Tap Shift + P and the tick shows up.
  4. Press Enter, then copy the cell to other places.

If you later change the font of that cell, the tick turns into a letter P. The UNICHAR method avoids this problem.

Ticks that appear automatically

For a status column, use a formula: =IF(C2="Done",UNICHAR(10003),UNICHAR(10007)) shows a tick or cross based on the text in C2. Fill it down with Ctrl + D. Conditional formatting can colour ticks green and crosses red. Icon sets, under Conditional Formatting, can also show tick, exclamation and cross icons for numbers such as marks or targets.

Count the ticks in a column with =COUNTIF(D2:D100,UNICHAR(10003)), which is handy for attendance or task completion.

Check boxes you can click

Newer Excel versions offer real check boxes from the Insert tab, which turn TRUE or FALSE when clicked and look like ticked boxes. Older versions have check box controls on the Developer tab. Clickable boxes suit to do lists and forms; typed ticks suit printed registers. The Word version of this page is the {A('tick-mark-shortcut','tick mark shortcut in Word')}.

When the tick does not show

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Shows ü or P instead of a tickThe cell is not in Wingdings or Wingdings 2
UNICHAR shows #NAMEVery old Excel version; use the font method
Alt code types nothingUse the number pad with Num Lock on
Tick prints as a boxThe printer font lacks the symbol; use Segoe UI Symbol
A school's attendance register in Excel uses =IF(C2="P",UNICHAR(10003),""). Teachers type P for present, the tick appears, and a COUNTIF at the bottom shows the day's count.

Frequently asked questions

Which shortcut puts a tick in an Excel cell?

The formula =UNICHAR(10003) works everywhere; Wingdings 2 with Shift + P works too.

Can I add a tick on a laptop with no number pad?

Yes. Pick one from the Win + . window, or use the UNICHAR formula.

What is the Alt code for a tick in Excel?
Alt + 0252 with the cell font set to Wingdings.
How do I add a cross mark?

=UNICHAR(10007), or Shift + O in Wingdings 2.

Can ticks appear automatically?

Yes, with an IF formula or icon sets in conditional formatting.

How do I count ticks?

Use COUNTIF with UNICHAR(10003) as the criteria.