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.
