5 Ways to Insert or Type the Square Root Symbol (√) in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)

Insert the Square Root Symbol in PowerPoint Presentations

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated April 2, 2022

Applies to: Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert or type the square root symbol in PowerPoint presentations using built-in commands or keyboard shortcuts. The square root symbol or radical sign can be entered in placeholders, text boxes or in equation blocks on PowerPoint slides. You can use an Alt code shortcut, a Math AutoCorrect entry or create an AutoCorrect entry as a custom shortcut.

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In this article, we'll look at 5 ways to insert the square root symbol in PowerPoint:

1. Use the Insert Symbol command to insert the square root symbol
2. Use an Alt code shortcut by pressing Alt and then entering a number sequence
3. Add and use a custom AutoCorrect entry
4. Enter a Math AutoCorrect shortcut in equation blocks or placeholders
5. Use the Equation tab in the Ribbon to insert the square root symbol in an equation block or placeholder

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1. Inserting the square root symbol using Insert Symbol

To insert the square root symbol in a text box or placeholder on a PowerPoint slide using Insert Symbol:

1. Click in a text box or placeholder where you want to insert the square root symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu.
6. Select Mathematical Operators from the Subset drop-down menu.
7. Scroll through the list of symbols until you find the square root symbol (√) and then click it.
8. Click Insert.
9. Click Close.

The Insert Symbol dialog box in PowerPoint displays symbols when you select (normal text) as the font and Mathematical Operators as the subset:

2. Using Alt keyboard shortcuts to insert the square root symbol

You can press the Alt key in combination with numbers on the numeric keypad to insert the square root symbol:

1. Position the cursor in the text box or placeholder where you want to insert the square root symbol.
2. Press Alt + 251 on the numeric keypad.

If these sequences don't work, press the NumLock key on the numeric keypad.

If you don't have a numeric keypad, you may be able to press the Fn key and access the numbers at the top of your keyboard.

3. Inserting the square root symbol using a custom AutoCorrect entry

You can also add a custom AutoCorrect entry to insert the square root symbol.

To create an AutoCorrect entry for the square root symbol that you can use in PowerPoint:

1. Open a PowerPoint presentation.
2. Click the File tab in the Ribbon.
3. Select Options. A dialog box appears.
4. In the categories on the left, select Proofing.
5. Click AutoCorrect Options. A dialog box appears.
6. Select the AutoCorrect tab.
7. In the Replace box, enter the characters you want to replace with a square root symbol (such as \isqr).
8. Click in the With box and press and hold Alt + 251 on the numeric keypad to insert the square root symbol.
9. Click Add.
10. Click OK twice.

The AutoCorrect dialog box appears as follows with a square root entry:

To use the AutoCorrect entry you created for the square root symbol:

1. Display the slide on which you want to insert thee square root symbol.
2. Position the cursor in the text box or placeholder where you want to insert the symbol. You can also click in a cell in a table or click a shape.
3. Type the entry (such as \isqr) and then press the Spacebar.

You can also add entries for other symbols.

4. Inserting the square root symbol in equation placeholders using AutoCorrect for Math

Math Autocorrect shortcuts can be used in PowerPoint in equations (not in text boxes or placeholders).

To enter the square root symbol in an equation block or placeholder:

1. Display the slide where you want to insert an equation.
2. Click in a blank area on the slide.
3. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
4. In the Symbols group, click Equation to insert a new equation block or placeholder. Alternatively, type Alt + equal sign (=). You can also click in an existing equation block or placeholder.
5. Click in the equation block or placeholder and type a backslash (\) plus the name of the symbol (such as \sqrt) and then press the Spacebar.

5. Inserting the square root symbol in equation placeholders using the Ribbon

To insert the square root symbol in an equation block or placeholder using the Ribbon:

1. Display the slide where you want to insert an equation.
2. Click in a blank area on the slide.
3. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
4. In the Symbols group, click Equation to insert a new equation block or placeholder. Alternatively, type Alt + equal sign (=). You can also click in an existing equation block or placeholder.
5. Click the Equation tab in the Ribbon.
6. Click the More arrow on the bottom right of the Symbols gallery.
7. At the top of the Symbols gallery, select the drop-down menu (typically, this displays Basic Math).
8. Select Basic Math from the drop-down menu
9. Click the square root symbol.

You can also use the Alt code shortcut in an equation placeholder.

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