This is a very thorough guide with several options you can use to insert or type the Backslash Symbol or Backward Sign (\) on any software such as Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, whether you are using the Windows or on Mac keyboard. You’ll learn all the easy methods including the Backslash Alt code shortcuts.
Without wasting much time, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Quick Guide for typing the Backslash symbol (\)
To type the Backslash Symbol anywhere on your PC or Laptop keyboard (like in Microsoft Word or Excel), press Option+7 or Option+Shift+7 shortcut for Mac. And if you are using Windows, simply press down the Alt key and type 92 using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard.
However, to type the Backslash sign for Microsoft Word users, type 005C and then press Alt + X to get the backward slash \ sign.
The table below contains everything you need to know to be able to type this symbol on both Windows and Mac.
| Name of Symbol | Reverse Solidus |
| Symbol Text | \ |
| Alt Code | 92 |
| Windows Shortcut | Alt + 92 |
| Mac Shortcut | Option+7 or Option+Shift+7 |
| Shortcut in Word | 005C, Alt+X |
Details about typing the Backward Slash Symbol
Whether you are using Windows or Mac, the above information is enough for you to write the \ sign anywhere including your Word/Excel document.
However, if you are not satisfied with this quick help, keep reading below as I will explain in detail, how to get the Backslash symbol or any other symbol anywhere on your Mac or Windows PC like in MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint.
As you may already know, there are several dual-purpose keys on the keyboard for both Windows and Mac. That is to say that there are symbols readily available as second keys on the keyboard. Just by pressing two or more keys simultaneously, you can easily insert such symbols into your work. For instance, pressing Shift + 6 keys give you the Caret (^) sign.
However, other symbols aren’t printed on the keyboard as second keys. This makes it difficult to type. One of these symbols is theBackslash symbol(\).
But on some keyboards, the backslash symbol has a dedicated key which you can simply press to type it into your Word.
If your keyboard doesn’t come with this backslash key, typing becomes very difficult for you if you need to add this symbol regularly into your work.
But it doesn’t have to be difficult. Especially now that you are reading this step-by-step guide.
How to Insert Backslash symbol in Word/Excel
In the following sections, I will show you all the easy ways to type or insert this symbol(\) anywhere on your Windows or Mac PC (such as Word or Excel or PowerPoint).
As a quick guide, press 005C, Alt+X on your keyboard to type the Backslash symbol in Microsoft Word. This shortcut works in MS Word only. For Windows users outside MS Word, press down the Alt key and type 92 alt code on your numeric keypad. You can also press Option+7 or Option+Shift+7 on Mac.
However, without any further ado, below are the methods explained into details.
1. Using the Backslash Symbol Key on your Keyboard
There is a dedicated key for the backward slash symbol on some keyboards. Whether you see it on yours or not, completely depends on the keyboard manufacturer. This key is present on most keyboards though.
If you are sure that your keyboard doesn’t come with this key, then jump to the next section to learn the shortcut you can use to type the backslash symbol on both Windows and Mac.
If you are not sure about this key on your keyboard, I’ll show you how to look for it.
So, where is the Backslash key?
On most keyboards, the backslash symbol key is located close to theEnterorReturnkey. In some cases, it is located directly to the left of the Enter or Return key and in other cases, it is also placed below or above the Enter key. On Mac Keyboards, it is placed directly above theReturn or Enterkey.
These are some of the various places you can spot the backslash symbol on your keyboard.
If you can’t still find it, keep reading below for some other simply shortcuts.
2. Backslash Symbol Shortcuts (Windows and Mac)
The Backslash Symbol Shortcut for Mac is Option+7 or Option+Shift+7.
Windows has several shortcuts, some of which works only in Microsoft Word.
However, there’s a Window shortcut for this symbol that works across all applications. It is the alt code shortcut which is Alt + 92 (will be discussed in the next section).
The Backslash Symbol shortcut for Microsoft Word is 005C, Alt+X.
These shortcuts work in Microsoft Word and Windows only.
To use this shortcut, obey the following instructions:
- Place the insertion pointer in the right place.
- Type 005C on your keyboard, then press Alt + X. This will convert the code (005C) into the Backslash symbol at where you place the insertion pointer.
Below is a breakdown on how to use the Backslash symbol shortcut for Mac:
- First of all, place the insertion pointer where you need to insert the symbol.
- Now, using the Mac keyboard, Press Option+7 or Option+Shift+7 simultaneously.
This shortcut should insert the symbol for you on your Mac PC.
In the next section, I’ll show you how to use the Backslash Symbol Alt Code to type the symbol on your keyboard.
3. Backward Slash Symbol Alt Code(Windows)
The Backslash (\) Symbol Alt Code is92.
Every symbol in Word has a unique code that you can use to insert the symbol into your document. This code is well known as “Alt code”.
Below are the steps to type this symbol on your keyboard (using the Alt code provided above:
- Press the num lock key to enable the numeric keypad. Use Fn key + NumLk keys to turn on Num Lock on laptops without the numeric keypad.
- Press and hold the Alt key and type 92 using the numeric keypad.
- After typing the Alt code (i.e. 92), release the[Alt]key you pressed down.
As soon as you release the Alt Key, the Backslash (\) symbol should appear in your document.
4. Copy and paste the Backslash symbol
Use the button below to copy and paste the Backslash symbol for your work.
My favorite method for inserting symbols I can’t easily type is copy and paste.
With this method, all you need to do is google the symbol you need to type, then copy it from one of the search results provided. Once you get the symbol into your document, you can always recopy and paste it as and when the need arises.
Use the button above to get this symbol on your clipboard.
There is another way to copy this and any other symbol on Windows. It involved using the Windows Character Map.
Obey the steps below to copy and paste any symbol using the character map.
- Search for the Character map app by clicking on the Start button.
- The Character map app will show up in the search results. Click on it to launch.
- After the Character Map window opens up, click to check the Advance View checkbox to expand the window for more advanced options.
- On the Advanced View section, type Reverse Solidus in the search box.
- The symbol you searched for (Backward Slash symbol) will now appear on the Character map. Double click on it to select it. You’ll see that the symbol appears in the Characters to copy text box. This allows you to select and copy several symbols at the same time.
- After selecting the symbol, you wish to copy, click on the Copy button.
- Switch over to wherever you need the symbol, whether in MS Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and press Ctrl + V to paste.
This is how you may copy and paste the Backward Slash sign using the Character Map on Windows.
5. Using Insert Symbol Dialog
This approach isn’t as straight forward as the shortcut methods. But it’s fairly simple.
And once you get the symbol into your document, you can always copy and paste it again as and when you need it in your work.
Below are the steps to insert the Backslash Sign in Word using the insert symbol dialog.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- On theInserttab, click theSymbolbutton and chooseMore Symbols…
These few clicks will bring up the Symbol dialog box.
- Locate theSymbol you want to insert.
To easily find the Backslash symbol on the Symbols window, look at the top right area of the dialog and selectLatin-1 Supplementin theSubset:drop-down list. TheBackslashsymbol you want to insert is in this category and should appear.
- Select the symbol, and then click on the Insert button.
Alternatively, double-clicking on the symbol will also insert the symbol into your document.
- Click the Close button.
This is how you may insert a Backslash symbol in Word using the insert symbol dialog.
6. Word’s AutoCorrect for the Backslash Sign
You can also type the Backslash Symbol using the AutoCorrect feature in Word.
It is a feature in MS Word designed for correcting spelling mistakes likethsitothis.
Using this AutoCorrect Feature, you can assign a short code to theBackslash symbol(such asBKSL).
This way, whenever you type the textBKSL, Word will think that you actually wanted to type\and will convert it into theBackslash symbolfor you automatically.
See illustration below:
What makes this method interesting is that you can assign your own custom shortcut or short code to the symbol and Word will automatically insert the symbol whenever you type the code.
Without further ado, below are the steps you can use to typeBackslash symbolin Word using AutoCorrect.
- Go to the Insert tab.
- On the Insert tab, go toSymboland then clickMore Symbols… TheSymbolwindows will appear.
- Locate theBackslash symbol, then click to select it.
- Click on theAutoCorrect…button to display the AutoCorrect window.
- In the AutoCorrect dialog box, enter the following:
Replace:BKSL
With:\
- ClickAdd, and then then hit the OK button.
Now, word will automatically insert theBackslash symbolinto your document whenever you typeBKSL.
However, below are some few things to note when you are using the AutoCorrect Method to insert theBackslash sign.
- AutoCorrect is case sensitive. Meaning if you typebksl (in lowercase), Word will not convert it into theBackslash signunless you typeBKSL (in uppercase).
- If there is any text before or after the AutoCorrect text, Word will consider the AutoCorrect text as part of the text and hence will not convert it to theBackward slash symbol. For example,XBKSL (without space) will not get converted, butX BKSL (with space) will get converted toX \.
Conclusion
As you can see, these are the various ways you may insert or type the Backslash symbol in Word/Excel with or without using the keyboard.
My favorite method is using the copy and paste method followed by the shortcut in Word for both Windows and Mac. The Alt Code method also comes simple.
For any comments or questions about this guide, please let me know in the comments section below.
Thanks for reading this blog.
FAQs
How do you type a backslash in Word? ›
Pressing \ creates a backslash. Doing the Alt code Alt +92 can also create a backslash.
What is the backslash (\) called? ›It is the mirror image of the common slash /. It is a relatively recent mark, first documented in the 1930s. It is sometimes called a hack, whack, escape (from C/UNIX), reverse slash, slosh, downwhack, backslant, backwhack, bash, reverse slant, reverse solidus, and reversed virgule.
Why can't I type backslash? ›The [Windows Key] + [Spacebar] switches your keyboard input between languages. After doing this, then try your backslash key on your keyboard and see if it works.
How do you insert a slash in Word? ›- Select the text you want to strike through.
- Press Ctrl+D. A font dialog box will appear.
- Press Alt+K. The strikethrough feature should now be selected.
- Press OK. The text will now have a line through it.
It is easy to add a slash by right clicking a table cell, using "Format Cells", and adding a single slash or using "Insert - Shape - Line" to manually add multiple slashed.
How do you use backslash correctly? ›The backslash is used only for computer coding. The forward slash, often simply referred to as a slash, is a punctuation mark used in English. The only time it is appropriate to use a comma after a slash is when demonstrating breaks between lines of poetry, songs, or plays.
What is backslash in command? ›Description. backslash \ A backslash is the Oracle Linux command continuation character. It is used in command examples that are too long to fit on a single line. Enter the command as displayed (with a backslash) or enter it on a single line without a backslash: dd if=/dev/rdsk/c0t1d0s6 of=/dev/rst0 bs=10b \ count= ...
Does Windows have a forward slash or backslash? ›Three Symbols Separate Names The Unix-based Mac uses the forward slash, while Windows uses the backslash.
How do you type a backslash without a key? ›Hold down the ALT key to the LEFT of the spacebar and type 92 (i.e. left ALT+92) Click START and type ONSCREEN KEYBOARD, then launch the onscreen keyboard and use your mouse to click the backslash (left of the Z key)
Why can't I type slash in Excel? ›This is because, for some reason, Microsoft has decided to enable by default a very old keyboard shortcut from a relic spreadsheet application called Lotus 1-2-3 (from the 1980s). In Lotus 1-2-3, hitting the forward-slash key was a keyboard shortcut to activate the application's menu.
How do you insert a backslash character? ›
To type the Backslash Symbol anywhere on your PC or Laptop keyboard (like in Microsoft Word or Excel), press Option+7 or Option+Shift+7 shortcut for Mac. And if you are using Windows, simply press down the Alt key and type 92 using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard.
How do I insert symbols into text in Word? ›Go to Insert >Symbol > More Symbols. Scroll up or down the list to find the symbol you want. You might have to change the font or the subset to locate it.
What does the forward slash (/) key allow you to do Excel? ›In a default installation of Excel, the / (slash) key acts as a shortcut to the Excel menu bar.
What does Ctrl backslash do in Excel? ›Ctrl+\ The Ctrl+\ keyboard shortcut to select cells with a static value or don't match the value in the active cell in Microsoft Excel.
What is the dot backslash command in Windows? ›\ is a shorthand way of saying "this computer"*see "footnote" in Windows at a logon screen, which comes in very handy when you don't know or care about the local computer name but need to authenticate against it anyway, such as through RDP or scripting against a set of shared local users and passwords or even locally, ...
How to display backslash in C? ›We will discuss the C program to understand How to Print backslash(\) It is very easy, we just have to use “\\” format specifier withing printf(), for printing backslash(\), on the output screen.
What are the two types of slash on keyboard? ›We're probably referring to a character on the keyboard. Slashes come in two different varieties, forward slash and backslash.
What is the difference between forward slash and backslash? ›For example, backslashes are used in non-relative path C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16. Yet, for a relative path, Windows adopts forward slashes. While in Mac, Linux, Android, Chrome, and Steam, all Unix-like operating systems, directories in file paths are separated by forward slashes.
What does a back slash look like? ›A backslash is a symbol that resembles a line slanted toward the left ( \ ). It is a “backwards slash” that is the reverse of a forward slash ( / ). The backslash has no usage in formal or informal writing.
Why does Microsoft use backslash? ›The only thing that is clear is that Microsoft and IBM were responsible for using the backslash as path separator in DOS 2.0. Microsoft reportedly wanted to use the forward slash as path separator, but IBM nixed the idea because it would have created an incompatibility with DOS 1.
Does Windows use backslash? ›
Windows traditionally uses the backslash ( \ ) to separate directories in file paths.
How do you use backslash escape characters? ›Character combinations consisting of a backslash (\) followed by a letter or by a combination of digits are called "escape sequences." To represent a newline character, single quotation mark, or certain other characters in a character constant, you must use escape sequences.
Is there a way to type on a computer without a keyboard? ›To open the On-Screen Keyboard
Go to Start , then select Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, and turn on the toggle under Use the On-Screen Keyboard. A keyboard that can be used to move around the screen and enter text will appear on the screen. The keyboard will remain on the screen until you close it.
Touch typing is all about the idea that each finger has its own area on the keyboard. Thanks to that fact you can type without looking at the keys. Practice regularly and your fingers will learn their location on the keyboard through muscle memory.
What if Alt enter is not working in Excel? ›There are a couple of things that must be in effect in order for Alt+Enter to work properly. First, as Mary noted, text wrapping has to be turned on for the cells. Beyond this, you also need to be in edit mode. In other words, you cannot just select a cell and press Alt+Enter.
How do I enable symbols in Excel? ›Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols. Go to Special Characters. Double-click the character that you want to insert. Select Close.
What is the use of AltGr in keyboard? ›The AltGr key is used as an additional Shift key, to provide a third and a fourth (when Shift is also pressed) grapheme for most keys. Most are accented variants of the letters on the keys, but also additional symbols and punctuation marks.
What is Alt for slash? ›Creating the "/" symbol on a U.S. keyboard
On English keyboards, the forward slash is on the same key as the question mark key next to the right Shift key. Doing the Alt code Alt +47 can also create a forward slash.
To insert characters that are illegal in a string, use an escape character. An escape character is a backslash \ followed by the character you want to insert.
How do you type an escape character on a keyboard? ›On computer keyboards, the Esc key Esc (named Escape key in the international standard series ISO/IEC 9995) is a key used to generate the escape character (which can be represented as ASCII code 27 in decimal, Unicode U+001B, or Ctrl + [ ).
What is the '\ n escape character? ›
In particular, the \n escape sequence represents the newline character. A \n in a printf format string tells awk to start printing output at the beginning of a newline.