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Left arrow ← in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Type the Left arrow ←  into Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook.  Both in Office for Windows and Office for Mac.

The official Unicode name is ‘Leftward Arrow” ← but it can be called ‘Left pointing’ ‘Left facing’ or just ‘Left Arrow’

See also Right arrow → symbol in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
Left Right arrow ↔ in Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Word

How Left arrow ← looks in different fonts.

Here’s some examples of how Left arrow ← looks in common Office fonts.

Left arrow ← codes

These are the important code numbers or values you’ll need to enter the Left arrow or ←

Decimal:  8592  Hex:   2190

Web:  ← or ← or ←

(web codes aren’t used in Microsoft Office, we’ve included them for the sake of completeness.)

Word and Outlook

The Left arrow ←  sign does NOT have an inbuilt shortcut in Word.

Use the standard Word Alt + X symbol shortcut 2190  + Alt + X

Once in a document you can copy it to AutoCorrect and make your own shortcut.

Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Insert | Symbols | Symbol and look for the  Left arrow symbol.

Windows

In Windows there are several shortcuts to enter the Left arrow ←  character into any program, but they use a numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters.

Alt + 8592  

Windows Character Map

The Windows Character Map accessory in all Windows releases

Character Map has a search feature, something missing from the Insert | Symbol in Office.

MacOS and Office for Mac inserting characters

On a Mac, to enter the Left arrow ← symbol:

  • Command + Control + Spacebar shortcut to open the Character Viewer.  
  • Search for “ Left arrow “ and the Viewer should find the symbol you need.

Despite the name Character Viewer, the Apple system tool will also insert characters into any program, including Office for Mac.

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