How can I type the degree symbol on a Mac?

General Mac Tutorials
1

Hey everyone, I’m in the middle of writing a weather report on my Mac and need to include temperature values with the degree symbol (°). I’ve tried a few different key combinations, but nothing seems to work. Can anyone guide me on how to easily type the degree symbol on a Mac? Thanks!

2

Hey there! I see you’re in a bit of a bind trying to figure out how to type the degree symbol on your Mac. Don’t sweat it! There are several ways to get that little ° symbol into your weather report, and I’ll guide you through them step-by-step. Whether you’re working in a text document, an email, or a web browser, you’ll find multiple methods here to suit your needs. Let’s dive in!

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

The easiest and quickest way to type the degree symbol on a Mac is using a keyboard shortcut. This method works in almost any text field, from Word documents to emails.

  1. Place the Cursor:

    • Start by clicking where you want the degree symbol to appear. It could be in your word processor, email, or wherever you’re typing your weather report.

  2. Use the Shortcut:

    • Hold down the Shift key, Option key, and number 8 simultaneously. That’s Shift + Option + 8.

This should instantly insert the degree symbol (°). It’s super-fast once you get the hang of it.

Method 2: Emoji & Symbols Menu

If you’re not a fan of keyboard shortcuts or you can’t remember them, you can always use the built-in Emoji & Symbols menu.

  1. Open the Menu:

    • Click on the text field where you want the symbol to appear.
    • Go to the top menu bar and select Edit, then scroll down to Emoji & Symbols. Alternatively, you can press Control + Command + Space to bring up the same menu.

  2. Find the Degree Symbol:

    • In the window that pops up, you can either browse through the categories or type “degree” into the search bar.
    • Click on the degree symbol to insert it into your text.

Method 3: Character Viewer

This method is a bit more involved, but it’s useful if you frequently need to access special characters.

  1. Enable Character Viewer:

    • Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
    • Navigate to Keyboard, and then click on the Input Sources tab.
    • Check the box next to “Show Input menu in menu bar.”

  2. Use Character Viewer:

    • You’ll now have a small icon in your menu bar that looks like a flag or character.
    • Click it and select Show Emoji & Symbols.
    • Search for “degree” and double-click the symbol to insert it.

Method 4: Text Replacement

If you find yourself using the degree symbol frequently, you can set up a text replacement shortcut.

  1. Set Up Replacement:

    • Open System Preferences and navigate to the Keyboard section.
    • Go to the Text tab.
    • Click the plus sign (+) at the bottom-left corner to add a new text replacement.

  2. Create a Shortcut:

    • In the left column, type an easy-to-remember abbreviation like `deg’ or whatever makes sense for you.
    • In the right column, paste the degree symbol you got from one of the methods above.

  3. Use Your Shortcut:

    • Now, whenever you type your abbreviation (like `deg’), your Mac will automatically replace it with the degree symbol.

Method 5: Copy and Paste

If all else fails, the good old copy-paste method is always there.

  1. Copy the Symbol:

    • Simply find the degree symbol somewhere on the web or use this one: °.
    • Select it and copy it using Command + C.

  2. Paste the Symbol:

    • Go to the place in your document where you need the degree symbol.
    • Paste it using Command + V.

Method 6: Using Third-Party Apps or Extensions

Sometimes third-party apps or browser extensions can also offer handy shortcuts or buttons for inserting special characters like the degree symbol.

  1. Find a Reliable App:

    • You can look for text expansion or special character apps in the Mac App Store or online. Apps like TextExpander can be customized to insert the degree symbol and other frequently used characters.

  2. Install and Configure:

    • Follow the app’s instructions to set up your custom shortcuts.

Extra Tips

  • Remembering the Shortcut: If you have trouble remembering Shift + Option + 8, think of it as “Star 8” because the Shift key turns 8 into an asterisk (*) on most keyboards.
  • Using in Different Apps: These methods should work across most Mac apps, but certain specialized software might have its own methods or shortcuts for inserting special characters. Always check the app’s help documentation for details.
  • International Keyboards: If you’re using an international keyboard layout, the shortcuts might be slightly different. In that case, checking the keyboard viewer under System Preferences → Keyboard can be useful.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

  • Broken Shortcuts: If the keyboard shortcut doesn’t seem to work, make sure you’re pressing the keys simultaneously. If it’s still not working, try restarting your system or ensuring your keyboard layout is set to “U.S.” in System Preferences.
  • Missing Emoji & Symbols: If you don’t see the Emoji & Symbols menu, make sure you’re running a relatively recent version of macOS, as older versions might not have this feature.

That’s about it! With these methods, typing the degree symbol on your Mac should be a breeze. Good luck with your weather report, and feel free to ask if you run into any more issues. Cheers!

3

Hey there! I totally get the struggle—sometimes Macs seem like they have a mind of their own when you’re in the middle of something important. No worries, though, the solution is pretty simple!

Alright, so you wanna type that fancy degree (°) symbol. Here’s the lowdown:

  1. Hold down the Shift key and Option key together.
  2. While holding those, press the number 8 key.

Voilà! There’s your degree symbol. So, it looks something like this: Shift + Option + 8 = °

If you wanna keep your fingers from getting all tangled up, you can also just open up the Emoji & Symbols viewer:

  1. Hit Control + Command + Space.
  2. In the pop-up, type “degree” in the search bar, and it’ll magically appear.

Honestly, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be popping those ° symbols left and right like a pro. And hey, no more excuses for missing weather reports!

Hope this helps and saves you from banging your head on the desk. :beer: Cheers and good luck with that report!

P.S. If all else fails, you can always just copy and paste it from here. We’ve all been there, right?