How to add bullet points in Excel and Google Sheets

in the latest post We have analyzed the main features and differences between Google Sheets and Excel, now we will discuss the aspects in more detail. In the process, this will help us better understand how both programs work. and may help us decide which program is most suitable for what we really need. In this article we will focus on How to add bullet points in Excel and Google Sheets

Both of these programs are not word processors. Therefore, it does not have the typical functions that we find in this type of software, such as creating vignettes. However, there are some ways to achieve a similar effect. This specific function is quite similar in both programs. Except for a few minor differences that we will try to explain in the following paragraphs.

Before starting Remember that bullets are a widely used resource for highlighting text. It is usually placed at the beginning of a document as a numbered list or as a differently formatted list of points to serve as a summary or enumeration of some content.

Insert bullet points in Excel

Let’s first analyze the possibilities that Microsoft Excel offers us, which is the reference software in the world when working with spreadsheets. This is an interesting option for inserting bullets. Specifically three options: Using keyboard shortcuts Using symbols or using the functionAll users can use these as we explain below:

with keyboard shortcuts

As we have seen on other occasions Keystrokes and keyboard shortcuts (Shortcut) gives us many possibilities. This is one of the cases. Let’s see how to do it:

1. First, we place the mouse pointer over the cell where we want to insert the vignette.
2. Then we press the buttons at the same time. Alt + 7 key.
3. Finally, we press the spacebar and write text.

Using symbols

Another method that we can use to insert a vignette is to do via symbol function Excel, here’s how to do it:

1. First we go to the Ribbon, where we look for the tab. “insert”.
2. There we select the first option. “symbol” already “mark”.
3. A symbol box will appear on the screen. To be able to see all (Because there are a lot of them) You can change the size of the box by dragging the bottom right corner of the box.
4. Then we go to the drop-down list on the right (called “Subsets”), where we change the options that appear by default to Total score.
5. next We choose symbols We need what we need for our vignette and click on the button. “insert”.
6. Finally, we close the box using the “Cancel” button and write the text of the bullets in the spreadsheet.

It is a method that has advantages and disadvantages. The good part is that it gives us a lot of flexibility in choosing symbols for the vignette. But the bad thing is that we have to repeat this operation for each vignette.

pass function

There is a specific function to add bullet points in Excel: the CHARACTER function. Here’s how to use it:

We select the cell where we want to insert the bulleted text.

1. There we write the CHARACTER function with the corresponding number, which for the bullet is 149. It is written like this: =Character (149)
2. We add the symbol and (&) to connect the function to the text in the cell. For example: =Characters (149) & «Text in cell»

This is the end of the options we have to add bullets in Excel. As you can see, they are all quite simple. Now let’s take a look at the possibilities that Google Sheets offers us.

Insert bullet points in Google Sheets

If we work with Google Sheets, there are two ways to insert bullets. Both are quite similar to what Excel offers us: By using the Alt key or inserting symbols.. We analyze below:

With the Alt key

Because Google Sheets uses the same Alt code as Excel, the method for adding bullets using keyboard shortcuts is nearly identical. Except for a few small details, here’s how to do it:

1. First of all, we must Select a cell where we want to insert a short article
2. Then we press the button F2 button to enter edit mode
3. Then we press the buttons at the same time. Alt + 7
4. Finally we write text in the cell.

Inserting bullets with special characters

While Google Sheets doesn’t have the symbol functionality that Excel does, you can use them in Google Docs. To access them, open a Google document and use the “copy and paste” method from the document to your spreadsheet. We explain step by step:

1. in the menu Google Drivewe are going “Google Docs” And then we choose “document”.
2. In that new document We will go to the tab “insert” and we choose “special characters”
3. A drop-down menu will open with options including Category, Symbol, and Geometry. We select the one we want to use by double-clicking on the symbol itself.
4. Finally, we copy and paste the keyboard shortcut. Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V