How to Insert a Copyright Symbol in Microsoft Word

Whether you are drafting a legal disclaimer, a creative writing manuscript, or a business proposal, you often need to protect your intellectual property. However, the standard copyright symbol (©) does not exist on a normal computer keyboard.

Fortunately, Microsoft Word has anticipated this problem and provides three incredibly easy ways to insert the symbol directly into your document without needing to search the internet and copy-paste it.

Method 1: The AutoCorrect Shortcut (The Fastest Way)

Word has a built-in AutoCorrect feature that automatically fixes common typos (like changing “teh” to “the”). It also has a secret trigger designed specifically for the copyright symbol.

1. Click exactly where you want the copyright symbol to appear in your document.
2. Type an open parenthesis: (
3. Type the letter c (it can be lowercase or uppercase).
4. Type a closing parenthesis: )

The moment you type the closing parenthesis, Word will instantly and automatically transform (c) into the perfect © symbol.

Method 2: The Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, Microsoft has bound the copyright symbol to a specific key combination.

• On Windows: Press and hold the Ctrl and Alt keys, then press the letter C.
• On Mac: Press and hold the Option key, then press the letter G.

This will instantly drop the symbol wherever your cursor is located.

Method 3: The Symbol Menu

If you can’t remember the shortcuts, you can always rely on the visual menu. This is also how you can find the Trademark (™) or Registered (®) symbols.

1. Click the Insert tab at the top of the ribbon.
2. Look all the way to the far right side of the ribbon for the Symbol button (it has an icon of the Greek letter Omega).
3. Click the button. A small drop-down menu will appear featuring the 20 most recently used symbols.
4. The © symbol is almost always in this quick list. Simply click it.
5. If you don’t see it, click More Symbols… at the bottom of the menu.
6. In the window that pops up, click the Special Characters tab.
7. You will see a clean list of copyright, trademark, and section symbols. Select “Copyright” and click Insert.