Not Equal ≠ symbol in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

Type the Not Equal ≠  sign into Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook.  Both in Office for Windows and Office for Mac. 

Not Equal ≠  symbol is used in equations, obviously but it’s also handy shorthand in a heading or slide. 

The official Unicode name is ‘Not Equal To’. 

How Not Equal ≠ looks in different fonts.

Here’s some examples of how Not Equal ≠ looks in common Office fonts. 

Not Equal ≠ codes

These are the important code numbers or values you’ll need to enter the Not Equal or ≠ 

Decimal:  8800  Hex:   2260 

Web:  ≠ or ≠ or ≠ 

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

Word and Outlook

The Not Equal ≠  sign does NOT have an inbuilt shortcut in Word. 

Use the standard Word Alt + X symbol shortcut 2260  + 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  Not Equal symbol. 

Windows

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

Alt + 8800    

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 Not Equal ≠ symbol: 

  • Command + Control + Spacebar shortcut to open the Character Viewer.    
  • Search for “ Not Equal “ 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.