Alt N U on Mac: Symbol in Word

To run Symbol with Alt N U in Word on a Mac, install LightningXL, tap Option, then type N, U. The same keys as Windows, with the same result.

Step by step

1. Install LightningXL

   Download LightningXL, then follow the instructions. Setup takes about two minutes.

2. Select what to act on

   Put the cursor where you want it, or select the text or object.

3. Tap Option, then type N U

   Tap ⌥ on its own to show the key tips, then N for Insert, U for Symbol.

What Alt N U does

Symbol sits on the Insert tab of the Word ribbon. On Windows, Alt N U runs it from the keyboard. Word for Mac has the same ribbon but no Alt key, so without LightningXL you click through Insert › Symbol instead.

Related shortcuts

The rest of the Insert tab in Word:

• ⌥NNU Page Number
• ⌥NX Text Box
• ⌥NW WordArt
• ⌥NRC Drop Cap
• ⌥NF Field
• ⌥ND Date & Time
• ⌥NJ Object
• ⌥NE Equation