Did you know that there are different symbols used to represent temperature in different countries? In the United States, we use Fahrenheit, while in most other countries, Celsius is used. Whether you’re writing a report, creating a presentation, or just want to add a degree symbol to your text message, it can be useful to know how to create these symbols. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to create degree symbols in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Creating Degree Symbols in Word
The degree symbol (°) is commonly used when referring to temperature, angles, and geographic coordinates. Here’s how to create a degree symbol in Word:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear in your document
- On the Insert tab, click on the Symbol dropdown and select More Symbols
- In the Symbol dialog box, select “Latin-1 Supplement” from the dropdown menu next to “Subset”
- Scroll down until you see the degree symbol (°) and double-click on it to insert it into your document
You can also create a degree symbol using a keyboard shortcut. To do this, follow these steps:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear in your document
- Press and hold the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad
- Release the Alt key and the degree symbol will appear
Creating Degree Symbols in Excel
If you’re working with numbers in Excel, you may need to insert a degree symbol. Here’s how to do it:
- Select the cell where you want the degree symbol to appear
- Press and hold the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad
- Release the Alt key and the degree symbol will appear in the cell
If you need to add degree symbols to multiple cells, you can use the following steps:
- Select the cells where you want the degree symbol to appear
- On the Home tab, click on the Number dropdown and select “More Number Formats”
- In the Format Cells dialog box, select “Custom” from the Category list
- In the Type field, enter 0″°”
- Click OK to apply the formatting to the selected cells
Creating Degree Symbols in PowerPoint
Adding a degree symbol to your PowerPoint presentation is similar to adding one in Word. Here’s how to do it:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear on your slide
- On the Insert tab, click on the Symbol dropdown and select More Symbols
- In the Symbol dialog box, select “Latin-1 Supplement” from the dropdown menu next to “Subset”
- Scroll down until you see the degree symbol (°) and double-click on it to insert it into your slide
You can also create a degree symbol using a keyboard shortcut:
- Place your cursor where you want the degree symbol to appear on your slide
- Press and hold the Alt key and type 0176 on the numeric keypad
- Release the Alt key and the degree symbol will appear on your slide
FAQ
What is the difference between Fahrenheit and Celsius?
Fahrenheit is a scale of measurement used to describe temperature in the United States, Belize, and some countries in the Caribbean. Celsius is used in most other countries and is based on the Celsius scale, which sets the freezing point of water at 0°C and the boiling point at 100°C. Fahrenheit, on the other hand, sets the freezing point of water at 32°F and the boiling point at 212°F.
Why do some countries use Fahrenheit and others use Celsius?
It’s largely a matter of convention and historical preference. The Fahrenheit scale was invented by a German physicist named Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit in the early 18th century. At the time, he used a mixture of ice, water, and salt to create a consistent low temperature, and set that temperature at 0°F. He then set the temperature of the human body at 96°F, which he believed was the average human temperature. Later, he refined his scale based on the properties of mercury and water, and thus the Fahrenheit scale was born.
The Celsius scale, on the other hand, was invented by a Swedish astronomer named Anders Celsius in the mid-18th century. He originally set the freezing point of water at 100°C and the boiling point at 0°C, but later reversed those values to be more in line with convention.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to create degree symbols in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you can easily add them to your presentations, reports, and other documents. Whether you prefer Fahrenheit or Celsius, understanding how to use these symbols will make your work more professional and polished. If you have any other questions about symbols or formatting, don’t hesitate to consult the help files or seek advice from colleagues or experts in your field.
Included Video
Here is a video that shows you how to create a degree symbol in Word: