How to Insert Currency Symbols in Google Docs & Sheets
Learn how to insert special currency symbols in Google Docs using the visual character palette and optical drawing tool, and configure international currency formatting or UNICHAR formulas in Google Sheets.
1. Inserting Currency Symbols in Google Docs
- Place your cursor where you want the currency symbol to appear in your document.
- Click Insert in the top menu bar.
- Select Special characters from the dropdown menu.
- In the first dropdown, select Symbol.
- In the second dropdown, select Currency.
- Click any currency glyph from the visual grid to insert it immediately at your cursor.
Alternative: Draw the Symbol
If you don't know the exact name of a currency sign, sketch the symbol in the square drawing pad on the right of the dialog. Google Docs analyzes your drawing stroke by stroke and presents matching characters in real time.
2. Formatting & Inserting Currencies in Google Sheets
Method A: Format Cells via Number Menu
- Select the cells containing monetary numbers.
- Click Format in the top menu bar.
- Hover over Number and select Currency for your default locale format, or click Custom currency.
- In the Custom currencies dialog, search over 100 world currencies (e.g., Euro, British Pound, Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, Indian Rupee).
- Choose whether the symbol appears before or after the number and click Apply.
Method B: Insert Symbols in Formulas with UNICHAR()
In calculated text strings or dashboard formulas, use the =UNICHAR(code) function with the decimal Unicode value:
| Currency | Symbol | Google Sheets Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro | € | =UNICHAR(8364) & TEXT(A1, "#,##0.00") | €1,250.00 |
| British Pound | £ | =UNICHAR(163) & TEXT(A1, "#,##0.00") | £1,250.00 |
| Japanese Yen / Yuan | ¥ | =UNICHAR(165) & TEXT(A1, "#,##0") | ¥1,250 |
| Indian Rupee | ₹ | =UNICHAR(8377) & TEXT(A1, "#,##0.00") | ₹1,250.00 |
| Bitcoin | ₿ | =UNICHAR(8383) & TEXT(A1, "0.00000000") | ₿0.05000000 |
Quick Copy for Google Docs & Sheets
Google Workspace Typing FAQ
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
How to format a cell as a specific foreign currency in Google Sheets?
Select the cells, click 'Format' in the top menu, navigate to 'Number' > 'Custom currency'. In the search bar, search for the currency name (e.g. Euro, British Pound, Japanese Yen, Indian Rupee), select your desired display style, and click 'Apply'.
How to use UNICHAR in Google Sheets to insert currency symbols in formulas?
Use the formula =UNICHAR(decimal_code). For example: =UNICHAR(8364) outputs the Euro (€), =UNICHAR(163) outputs the Pound (£), =UNICHAR(8377) outputs the Indian Rupee (₹), and =UNICHAR(8383) outputs Bitcoin (₿). To combine with a number: =UNICHAR(8364) & TEXT(A1, '#,##0.00').
How to open the special characters palette in Google Docs?
In Google Docs, place your cursor where you want the mark to appear, click 'Insert' > 'Special characters'. In the dropdowns, select 'Symbol' and 'Currency'.
Can I draw a currency symbol to find it in Google Docs?
Yes! In the 'Insert special characters' popup in Google Docs, sketch the symbol in the square drawing box on the right. Google Docs uses character recognition to present matching symbols automatically.