Insert Sigma Symbol in Excel (Σ or σ) - 6 Quick Ways (2024)

In various fields like statistics, mathematics, and engineering, the sigma symbol (Σ or σ) is frequently used, often representing the sum of a set of terms or as a symbol for standard deviation in statistics.

There are two types of sigma symbols:

• Σ – Greek Capital Letter Sigma
• σ – Greek Small Letter Sigma

In this article, I’ll guide you through several straightforward methods to insert the Sigma symbol into your Excel documents.

Below are some details about the sigma symbol. The methods to insert the symbol in Excel are covered after the table:

Copy and Paste the Sigma Symbol into Excel

The easiest way to get the sigma symbol in Excel is by copying it from a source and pasting it into your spreadsheet.

Below are the sigma symbols for you to copy.

Greek Capital Letter Sigma

Σ

Greek Small Letter Sigma

σ

Use Control + C to copy this symbol, then go to the desired cell in Excel where you want this symbol, and use Control + V to paste it.

Also read: Insert X-Bar (Average / Mean) Symbol in Excel

Keyboard Shortcut to Insert the Sigma Symbol in Excel

Below are the keyboard shortcuts to get the Sigma symbols in Excel:

Greek Capital Letter Sigma (Σ)

ALT + 228

Greek Small Letter Sigma (σ)

ALT + 229

Follow these steps to use this shortcut:

1. Select the cell where you want the sigma symbol.
2. Hold down the ALT key.
3. While holding the ALT key, type 2, 2, and 8 on the numeric keypad (for inserting the capital letter sigma symbol).
4. Release the ALT key.

Once you release the ALT key, the sigma symbol will appear in the selected cell.

Note: To use this shortcut, you need to use the Numeric keypad on your keyboard (it doesn’t work with a regular keyboard without a numeric keypad). Also, the Num Lock must be enabled.

Pro Tip: In MS Word, you can insert the sigma symbol by typing 03A3 and then pressing ALT + X to get the capital sigma symbol (Σ), or typing 03C3 and then pressing ALT + X to get the small sigma symbol (σ)

Formula to Insert the Sigma Symbol

The sigma symbol can also be inserted using an Excel formula.

Formula to get the Greek Capital Letter Sigma (Σ)

=UNICHAR(931)

Formula to get the Greek Small Letter Sigma (σ)

=UNICHAR(963)

After the sigma symbol appears in the cell, you can remove the formula to leave only the static symbol.

Also read: Insert Alpha Symbol in Excel

Insert Sigma Symbol Using the Symbol Dialog Box

Another method is using the built-in Symbol dialog box in Excel:

1. Select the cell where you want the sigma symbol.
2. Click on the ‘Insert’ tab in the ribbon.

3. Click on the ‘Symbol’ icon to open the Symbol dialog box.

4. In the Subset dropdown, select ‘Greek and Coptic’.

5. Locate the sigma symbol (Σ or σ) and double-click on it (or select it and click on the Insert button).

This will insert the sigma symbol into the cell.

Shortcut: ALT + N + U can be used to open the Symbol dialog box quickly.

Pro Tip: To find the sigma symbol easily in the Symbol dialog box, enter 03C3 (for Σ) 03C3 (for σ) in the Character code field.

Using the Character Map

Windows Character Map is a useful tool for inserting the sigma symbol:

1. Search for ‘Character Map’ in the Windows search bar.
2. Click on the Character Map App option.

3. Check the ‘Advanced View’ options, which would make more options visible.
4. In the Search field, type ‘sigma’ and hit enter.

4. Locate the sigma symbol, double-click it, then click ‘Copy’. This copies the sigma symbol to the clipboard.

5. Paste the symbol in Excel or any other application.

This method is not limited to Excel only and can be used across applications on Windows.

Also read: Insert Pi Symbol (π) in Excel

Using the Equation Feature in Excel

When working with Greek symbols, you can also use this nifty Equation feature trick to get the symbol quickly.

Let me show you how it works:

1. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon
2. Click on the Equations icon.

3. In the Equations box that is inserted in the worksheet, remove what is already there and type the following text:

For capital sigma symbol (Σ):

/Sigma

For small sigma symbol (σ):

/sigma

4. After typing the text, press the space bar key.

When you hit the space bar key, the text would automatically (or should I say automagically) be converted into the sigma symbol.

You can now copy and use this symbol in any cell in Excel.

This article covered various methods that should help you effortlessly insert the sigma symbol in Excel. If you know of any other methods, please share them in the comments section below.

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