How to Insert or Type the Alpha Symbol in Word (6 Ways to Insert α)

Insert the Alpha Symbol in Word Documents

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated February 10, 2023

Applies to: Microsoft^® Word^®  2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 (Windows)

You can insert or type the Alpha (α or Α) symbol in Word documents in several ways. The Greek Alpha symbol can be entered as a capital or lower case using built-in commands or keyboard shortcuts.

In this article, we'll look at 6 ways to insert the Alpha symbol:

1. Use the Insert Symbol command in the Ribbon
2. Use an Alt shortcut by pressing Alt and then typing a number sequence
3. Assign custom keyboard shortcuts
4. Use the Symbol font and press the corresponding letter on the keyboard
5. Use Math AutoCorrect
6. Type AutoCorrect entries in an equation block or placeholder

Recommended article: How to Hide Comments in Word (or Display Them)

Do you want to learn more about Microsoft Word? Check out our virtual classroom or live classroom Word courses >

1. Insert the Alpha symbol using Insert Symbol

To insert the Alpha symbol using Insert Symbol:

1. Position the cursor in the document where you want to insert the Alpha symbol.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
3. In the Symbols group, select Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
4. Click More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
5. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
6. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu and then Greek and Coptic from the Subset menu. You could also select the Symbol font.
7. Click the Alpha symbol.
8. Click Insert.
9. Click Close.

The Insert Symbol dialog box displays the Alpha symbol (α or Α) when you select normal text as the font and Greek and Coptic as the subset:

2. Insert the Alpha symbol Using an Alt code shortcut

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

• Press Alt + 224 to enter lower case Alpha (α).
• Press Alt + 913 to enter upper case or capital letter Alpha (Α)

If the sequence doesn'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. Insert the Alpha symbol by creating a custom keyboard shortcut

You can also create your own keyboard shortcut for Alpha. The easiest method is to access Shortcuts using the Insert Symbol dialog box.

To create your own keyboard shortcut to insert the Alpha symbol:

1. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
2. In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
3. Select More Symbols. A dialog box appears.
4. If necessary, click the Symbols tab.
5. Select (normal text) from the Font drop-down menu and then Greek and Coptic from the Subset menu. Alternatively, you could select the Symbol font.
6. Click the Alpha symbol.
7. Click Shortcut. A dialog box appears.
8. Click in the Press new shortcut key box.
9. Press the keys you want to use (for example, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A). If the keyboard shortcut is assigned to another command, Word will display it so you can decide if you want replace it.
10. Click Assign.
11. Click Close twice.

To insert the character, press the keys you assigned.

These shortcuts are typically saved in the Normal (default) template. When you close Word, you should be prompted to save the Normal template. Be sure to click Save.

4. Insert the Alpha symbol by switching to the Symbol font

You can use the Symbol font to insert Greek letters or symbols in Word documents.

To the Alpha symbol using the Symbol font:

1. Click in the location in the document where you want to insert the letter or symbol.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Q to switch to the Symbol font.
3. Type the character to insert the required letter or symbol.

The Greek characters correspond to standard characters. For example, if you type "a" or "A", Word enters Alpha in lower case or upper case. Note that this works for one character only and then the font changes back to the normal font.

5. Insert the Alpha symbol Using AutoCorrect for Math

Another way to insert the Alpha symbol is to turn on Math AutoCorrect outside of math regions and then type specific sequences in the Word document to insert the symbol.

To turn on AutoCorrect for Math outside of math regions and then insert the Alpha symbol:

1. Click the File tab in the Ribbon.
2. Click Options. A dialog box appears.
3. In the categories on the left, click Proofing.
4. Click AutoCorrect Options in the pane on the right. A dialog box appears.
5. Click the Math AutoCorrect tab.
6. Select or check Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of math regions.
7. Click OK twice.
8. To enter Alpha, type \alpha or \Alpha and then press the Spacebar.

The Math AutoCorrect options appear as follows:

6. Insert the Alpha symbol in equation blocks or placeholders

To insert the Alpha symbol in an equation block or placeholder using AutoCorrect:

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

Below is a new equation block or placeholder:

To insert the Alpha symbol in an equation block using the Equation tab in the Ribbon:

1. Click in an equation block or placeholder.
2. Click the Equation tab in the Ribbon.
3. Click the More arrow on the bottom right of the Symbols gallery.
4. At the top of the Symbols gallery, select the drop-down menu (typically, this displays Basic Math).
5. Select Greek Letters from the drop-down menu.
6. Click the Alpha symbol.

You can enter other Greek characters using the same tools.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.

More resources

How to Number Pages in Word (Step-by-Step)

How to Insert a Check Mark or Tick Mark in Word (5 Ways)

How to Insert or Type the Degree Symbol in Word (5 Ways to Insert °)

How to Create a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word (Insert, Format and Update a TOC)

10+ Great Microsoft Word Navigation Shortcuts for Moving Around Quickly in Your Documents

Related courses

Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft Access: Introduction

VIEW MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix^® Learning

You may also like

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca