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

28 February 2021

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:  &ne; or &#8800; or &#x2260;

(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.