Section Symbol in Word: How to Insert §

Inserting the section symbol (§) in Microsoft Word lets you cite sections of laws, contracts, manuals, and other numbered documents without copying the symbol from elsewhere. You can add it from Word’s Symbol menu, use a keyboard shortcut, or set up AutoCorrect for a phrase you type often. The exact shortcut depends on your computer and keyboard layout.

What You’ll Need

• A document open in Microsoft Word for Windows or Mac. The Symbol menu works in Word desktop; some options and shortcuts may differ in Word for the web.
• A keyboard with a numeric keypad if you plan to use the Windows Alt code.
• Alternatively, you can copy this symbol: §

Step-by-Step

1. Choose where the symbol belongs. Open the document and click where you want the section symbol to appear. To place it in existing text, click between the characters at the insertion point. If you are citing a section number, leave the cursor before the number, then insert the symbol and type the number after it—for example, § 12.
2. Use Word’s Symbol menu. Select the Insert tab on the ribbon. Choose Symbol, usually at the right end of the ribbon, then select More Symbols if § is not shown in the small menu. In the Symbol dialog, find the section symbol and select Insert. Close the dialog when finished.
3. Find the symbol in the dialog if needed. In the Symbol dialog, look through the available characters or use the character code field. The section symbol’s Unicode code point is 00A7. If the dialog offers a “from” or encoding choice, select Unicode (hex), then enter 00A7 in the character code field. Confirm that the displayed character is § before inserting it. The dialog’s layout varies slightly between Word versions and operating systems.
4. Try the Windows keyboard shortcut. In Word for Windows, place the cursor and hold down Alt while typing 0167 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt to insert §. Use the keypad digits, not the number row above the letters. On some laptops, the keypad is embedded in other keys and may require a Num Lock or Fn setting. This shortcut may not work with every keyboard layout or application configuration.
5. Use the Mac shortcut. In Word for Mac, press Option+6 to type § on many standard U.S. keyboard layouts. Keyboard layouts vary, so if this produces a different character or no character, use the Symbol menu instead. Check the result in the document before continuing.
6. Insert the number and check the spacing. Type the section number after the symbol. A commonly used format is § 12, with a space between the symbol and number; follow the citation style or document requirements you have been given. For multiple sections, some styles use two section symbols, as in §§ 12–14. Do not assume that format applies to every style.
7. Optional: create an AutoCorrect shortcut. If you insert § frequently, open Word’s AutoCorrect settings. In Windows, look under File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. On Mac, look under Word > Preferences or Settings for AutoCorrect; labels can vary by version. Enter a distinctive replacement such as \sectsym and set the replacement text to §. Add the entry, then test it in a document. Avoid a short replacement that could occur in ordinary words.

Common Mistakes

• Using the number row for the Alt code. The Windows Alt+0167 method generally requires the numeric keypad. Typing 0167 above the letters usually does not produce the same result.
• Forgetting to hold Alt until the digits are entered. Press and hold Alt, type all four digits on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
• Trying a shortcut from another operating system. The Windows Alt code and Mac Option shortcut are different. Use the instructions for your computer, or use the Symbol menu as a dependable alternative.
• Choosing a similar-looking character. Do not substitute a pilcrow (¶), a paragraph mark, or a letter combination. Confirm that the character inserted is §.
• Adding a space or plural mark without checking the required style. Citation conventions differ. Use the spacing and single-versus-double symbol format specified for your document.
• Setting an overly broad AutoCorrect entry. A replacement like “s” could unexpectedly change normal text. Choose a unique sequence and test it.

Tips

• Use the Symbol menu when you are unsure. It avoids relying on a particular keyboard layout and gives you a way to verify the character before inserting it.
• Remember the Unicode code point. U+00A7 identifies the section sign. In Word for Windows, you can also type 00A7 and then press Alt+X to convert that code into §. If characters immediately before the code make the conversion ambiguous, select just 00A7 before pressing Alt+X.
• Copy and paste for a one-time use. Copy § from a trusted document or this guide, then paste it at the cursor. Check the font and formatting after pasting.
• Use a distinctive AutoCorrect trigger. A sequence such as \sectsym is less likely to appear accidentally in regular writing. AutoCorrect settings may sync or differ between devices, so verify them on each computer you use.
• Keep the symbol attached to the correct reference. If a citation wraps across lines, consider a nonbreaking space between § and the number where appropriate. In Word, a nonbreaking space can usually be entered with Ctrl+Shift+Space on Windows or Option+Space on Mac, though keyboard behavior can vary.

Troubleshooting

• The Alt code does nothing: Check that you are in Word, hold Alt throughout, and use the numeric keypad. Check Num Lock or the laptop’s embedded keypad setting. If it still fails, insert the character through Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
• Option+6 inserts another character: Your Mac keyboard layout may assign a different character to that combination. Open the Symbol menu, or check the active input-source layout in macOS.
• The Symbol dialog does not show §: Choose a font that includes the symbol, such as a standard text font, and look under the appropriate character subset. Alternatively, enter Unicode code point 00A7 if that field is available.
• Word changes 00A7 unexpectedly: Alt+X converts the hexadecimal code immediately before the cursor. Make sure the code is selected by itself or separated clearly from nearby characters, then try again. Undo if Word converts the wrong text.
• The symbol appears as a box or question mark: The selected font may not support it, or the text may have been damaged during copying. Change the character to a common font and insert § again from Word’s Symbol menu.
• AutoCorrect does not replace the trigger: Confirm the entry is enabled and that you typed its exact replacement text. Word often performs the replacement after a space or punctuation mark. If it still does not work, use Symbol or the keyboard method.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the section symbol in Word?
The section symbol is §, also called the section sign. It commonly appears before a numbered section reference.

What is the Windows Alt code for §?
In Word for Windows, hold Alt and type 0167 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. If that does not work, use the Symbol menu.

How do I type § on a Mac?
Option+6 works on many standard U.S. Mac keyboard layouts. Because layouts vary, use Insert > Symbol if the shortcut gives an unexpected character.

Can I type the section symbol using Unicode?
Yes. In Word for Windows, type 00A7 and press Alt+X to convert it to §. The Unicode code point is U+00A7.

How do I type two section symbols?
Insert § twice to make §§, then add the reference. Use the double symbol only when the citation or style guide calls for it.

Will these methods work in Word for the web?
The Symbol menu and available shortcuts can differ in Word for the web. If a keyboard method fails, try inserting the character from the available Insert or Symbol controls, or copy and paste §.

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