Are you tired of manually inserting the degree symbol (°) every time you need it on your Mac? Whether you’re writing a scientific document or simply want to convey the temperature, constantly searching for the symbol can be time-consuming. Fortunately, there are several keyboard shortcuts and commands that can make inserting the degree symbol on your Mac easier and more efficient. In this article, we’ll discuss various methods for typing the degree symbol on a Mac and how you can save time with these shortcuts.

Are you a student or professional who frequently uses degrees in your work? Do you find it cumbersome to constantly switch between your keyboard and the insert symbol option every time you need to type the degree symbol on your Mac? If so, you’ll be happy to know that there is a quick and easy shortcut for typing the degree symbol on your Mac.

What is the Degree Symbol?

The degree symbol (°) is a small circle that is used to represent degrees of temperature, angle, or geographic coordinates. It is commonly used in academic or professional writing when referring to specific measurements such as Celsius or Fahrenheit temperatures, latitude and longitude coordinates, or angles in mathematical equations.

Why Use a Shortcut?

While the traditional way of inserting symbols on your Mac involves going through a series of steps, a shortcut provides a more efficient way of doing so. Using shortcuts can save you time and effort, especially if you need to type the degree symbol frequently. Instead of navigating through various menus and options, you can simply press a few keys to instantly add the symbol to your document.

Mac Degree Symbol Shortcut

The Mac degree symbol shortcut is a combination of keys that, when pressed simultaneously, will produce the degree symbol. There are two main ways to type the degree symbol on your Mac – using a keyboard shortcut or using the character viewer tool.

Keyboard Shortcut

The shortcut for typing the degree symbol on your Mac is "Option + Shift + 8". To do this:

  1. Make sure your cursor is at the place where you want to insert the symbol.
  2. Press and hold the "Option" key on your keyboard.
  3. While still holding the "Option" key, press the "Shift" key.
  4. Finally, press the number "8" key.

This should insert the degree symbol (°) at your cursor’s location. If it doesn’t work, make sure that your Num Lock key is turned off and try again. This shortcut is universal and works on any application or software on your Mac, including Microsoft Word, Pages, Keynote, and others.

Character Viewer

If for any reason the keyboard shortcut doesn’t work for you, you can use the character viewer tool to insert the degree symbol on your Mac. To use this method:

  1. Place your cursor where you want to insert the symbol.
  2. Go to "Edit" in the top menu bar and select "Emoji & Symbols".
  3. A window will appear showing a variety of symbols and icons.
  4. Type "degree" into the search bar at the top right corner of the window.
  5. Select the degree symbol from the results.

The degree symbol will then be inserted into your document at the cursor’s location. The character viewer allows you to insert a wide range of symbols, not just the degree symbol, making it a handy tool for any typing needs.

Using a Macbook?

If you are using a Macbook, you can access the degree symbol by pressing and holding the "Option" key while typing the letter "K". This will produce the degree symbol (°) in your document or text field.

HTML Code for the Degree Symbol

If you are creating a website or working on coding, you may need to use HTML to insert the degree symbol. The HTML code for the degree symbol is "°". You can simply copy and paste this code into your HTML document to add the degree symbol.

Other Tips for Typing Efficiency on Your Mac

In addition to using shortcuts for the degree symbol, there are other ways to improve your typing efficiency on a Mac. Here are a few tips:

  • Enable auto-correction: Enabling auto-correction in your system preferences can help save time by correcting spelling errors as you type.
  • Create custom shortcuts: You can create your own shortcuts for commonly used phrases or words under "Keyboard" in system preferences.
  • Use dictation: If you have difficulty typing, you can use the dictation feature on your Mac to type by speaking into your computer’s microphone.

In Conclusion

The Mac degree symbol shortcut is a handy tool for students, professionals, and anyone who needs to type the degree symbol frequently. With just a few keystrokes, you can quickly insert this symbol into any document or text field. And if for any reason the shortcut doesn’t work, the character viewer and HTML code options provide alternative methods for inserting the symbol. By utilizing these shortcuts and tips, you can improve your typing efficiency and save time on your Mac.

For more time management tips for students, be sure to check out this article.

In conclusion, knowing how to type or insert degree symbols on a Mac using different shortcuts and commands can save time and effort for individuals constantly working with mathematical or scientific data. Whether it is through a keyboard shortcut, character code, or using the special characters menu, mastering the degree symbol on a Mac can make typing and formatting degrees more efficient. By following the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, Mac users can easily incorporate the degree symbol into their documents without any hassle. So whether it’s for professional or personal use, being familiar with these different methods to input the degree symbol on a Mac can greatly boost productivity and enhance the overall user experience.

Author

  • wyattrobinson

    I am a 33-year-old educational blogger. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have been blogging since 2010, and I love it! My blog is all about homeschooling and educating kids in a fun, hands-on way.