AutoCAD - Insert a Symbol in Text

By David Lewis

When creating a drawing there will often be times when users want to include a symbol within a drawing note / piece of text. For the most part these symbols are not displayed on a standard keyboard e.g a degree, diameter or Plus/Minus symbol etc.

As with most functions in AutoCAD there are a variety of ways to achieve the same output. This could include the use of the ribbon, right-click menu or keyboard shortcuts.

A few options have been described below:

a) Using the Contextual Ribbon

Place a piece of text > the contextual ribbon will display a symbol tool (1) > select the drop-down arrow below the Symbol tool to access the menu (2) and select the desired symbol

e.g. Degrees symbol and the degree symbol will be inserted into the piece of text. (Fig 1)

b) Right-click Menu

Place a piece of text > whilst in text command click the right mouse button to access the menu options > Navigate to and hover the mouse cursor over ‘symbol’ on the menu (1) to expand the symbols menu options (2) and choose the desired symbol e.g Degrees. (Fig 2)

c) Keyboard Shortcuts 

Keyboard shortcuts can also be used to add symbols. At times this can be quicker, however for the most part my personal preference is to use the menu options described above.

On menu 2, as described in ‘Fig 2: Right-click menu’ notice the series of letters, numbers and symbols to the right of each symbol option, these are the keyboard shortcuts for each respective symbol.

Example: To place a degree symbol into a piece or text without using either the contextual ribbon or right-click menu, simply type %%d and the degrees symbol will be placed in the text, or alternatively to place a diameter symbol type %%c.

Each option listed above has its own merits and the best way to decide which method suits your preferred workflow is to have a go yourself.