How to Automatically Add a Copyright Symbol in Microsoft Word

When drafting legal documents, licensing agreements, or manuscript title pages in Microsoft Word, you frequently need to insert the copyright symbol (©). While you can navigate through the ribbon to find the symbol menu every time you need it, this drastically slows down your typing speed. Fortunately, Microsoft Word includes built-in AutoCorrect features and keyboard shortcuts that allow you to generate the copyright symbol instantly without lifting your hands from the keyboard.

Method 1: Using the AutoCorrect Feature (Fastest)

Microsoft Word is pre-programmed to recognize a specific sequence of characters and automatically convert them into the copyright symbol. This is the fastest and most intuitive method for most users.

1. Place your cursor exactly where you want the copyright symbol to appear in your document.
2. Type an open parenthesis: (
3. Type a lowercase letter c: c
4. Type a closed parenthesis: )

The moment you type the closing parenthesis, Word’s AutoCorrect engine will instantly replace the characters (c) with the professional copyright symbol: ©.

Note: If the symbol appears, but you actually wanted to type “(c)” as a list item, simply press the Backspace key once immediately after the auto-correction occurs. Word will revert the symbol back to the raw text characters.

Method 2: Using the Alt Code Keyboard Shortcut

If you are using a full-size Windows keyboard that includes a dedicated numeric keypad on the right-hand side, you can use a universal Alt code. This method works not only in Microsoft Word, but across almost all Windows applications.

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol.
2. Press and hold down the Alt key on your keyboard.
3. While holding the Alt key, type 0169 on the numeric keypad. (Do not use the number row above the letters; it will not work).
4. Release the Alt key. The copyright symbol will immediately appear.

Method 3: Using the Mac Keyboard Shortcut

If you are using Microsoft Word for Mac, the AutoCorrect method (c) still works perfectly. However, macOS also has a dedicated system-wide keyboard shortcut that is even faster if you do not want to type parentheses.

1. Place your cursor in the document.
2. Press and hold the Option (⌥) key.
3. While holding Option, press the letter G.

The copyright symbol will instantly appear on the page.