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When composing, if you need to write arrow notes in Word, the application provides Shapes function to help users draw arrows in Word by selecting Lines to draw basic arrows, or choosing Block Arrows to write block arrows, curved arrows... Additionally, you can insert arrows as special characters in Symbol.
Writing Arrow Symbols in Word
Guide to Writing Arrow Symbols in Word 2019
In this article, we will guide you on how to write arrow symbols using Word 2019. We invite you to follow along.
1. Writing arrows by inserting special characters in Word
Step 1: Open Word, place the mouse cursor where you want to insert the arrow symbol -> Then, go to the Insert menu on the toolbar -> select Symbols -> then choose More Symbols as described in the image below.
Step 2: In the Symbol interface, choose the font and arrow style you want, then navigate to the Font section. Select either Wingdings 3, Wingdings, or Symbol. Each font offers different arrow symbols to choose from.
Below is an example of selecting the Wingdings 3 font.
And here's what it looks like when you choose the Wingdings font.
If you opt for the Symbol font, you'll find arrow symbols to choose from as shown in the image below.
Once selected, click on Insert, and the arrow will be inserted at the cursor position in the text where you previously placed it. Then, you can adjust alignment, font size, and color, similar to formatting text in Word, to suit your needs.
2. Creating Arrows Using Shapes in Word
Basic Arrow Writing
Step 1: In Word, go to the Insert tab -> click on the Shapes button. In the Lines group on the drop-down menu, click on the Line Arrow option as depicted in the image.
Step 2: Next, in the text editor, a plus sign '+' will appear -> click and hold the left mouse button -> then drag in any direction to draw the arrow (up, down, left, right).
Once you've dragged to the desired length, release the mouse button, and the arrow will appear.
Adjusting Size, Rotation, and Color for the Arrow
Following the steps above to create the arrow, it will initially appear in black with a width of 3/4 point. If you need to make changes, customize as needed by performing the following:
Step 1: To adjust the length of the arrow, quickly move your mouse to the arrow at both ends -> when the two-way arrow icon appears as shown in the image.
Step 2: Click and drag the mouse to make the arrow longer or shorter, or you can move the arrow in a different direction. If you don't want to change direction, hold the Shift key while clicking and dragging the arrow.
For further modifications to the arrow, proceed as follows:
- Use other options when clicking the Format menu on the toolbar.
- Click on Advanced Tools (the small diagonal arrow icon at the bottom right corner of the Shape Styles group) in the Ribbon.
- Right-click the arrow to quickly open the Format shapes dialog box or use quick Style, Outline, and many other options.
Changing the Arrow's Color
To change the color after writing the arrow, click on the Format tab -> select Shape Outline -> choose the appropriate color, and you're done.
Adjusting the Arrow's Thickness
If you want to modify the thickness after writing the arrow in Word, you can make it thicker or choose a different thickness that suits your needs. Go to the Format tab -> select Shape Outline -> choose Weight -> finally, select the thickness you want.
Rotating Arrows in Word
To rotate the arrow, click on the Layout tab -> click the Rotate button -> then choose the desired direction of rotation. If you want a preview, simply hover over each option.
If you want to add more rotation options for the arrow, go to Layout -> click the Rotate button -> then select More Rotation Options. The next interface is the Layout tab -> enter the exact degree of rotation you need in the Rotate section of the Size tab to get the arrow in the direction you choose.
How to Create a 3D Arrow
In addition to drawing straight arrows, you can create block arrows as follows:
Step 1: Go to the Insert tab -> click on the Shapes button -> navigate to Block Arrows in the drop-down menu -> select the style of arrow you want to use.
Step 2: The result when you select the downward block arrow:
Step 3: Once the block arrow appears, to change its color, outline, size, etc., perform the same selection process as for regular arrows as described above. In the block arrow, you'll notice a small yellow circle -> this is where you can click to reshape the arrowhead and shaft.
How to Create Curved Arrows
Step 1: Go to the Insert tab -> select Shapes. In the drop-down menu, look for the Lines section -> then click on one of the curved arrow shapes. Here, you'll find arrows with one head, arrows with two heads, along with other simple curved lines without arrows.
Step 2: Immediately, the mouse cursor will display a plus sign '+' icon -> click and drag to create the arrow.
Step 3: After drawing the arrow, you can adjust the curve of the arrow by dragging the yellow button in the middle of the arrow. To lengthen or shorten it, click on the white buttons at both ends of the arrow.
To add more curved arrow options, scroll down to Block Arrows -> find the curved arrows you want as illustrated below. Once selected, you can use formatting tools as instructed to change colors, adjust arrow outlines, etc.
How to Create Straight Connector Arrows
Straight connector arrows are commonly used for drawing diagrams and flowcharts in Word.
Step 1: Go to Insert -> select Shapes. In the Lines section of the drop-down menu, choose the connector arrow as described in the image below. You can select straight or curved arrows, arrows with one head, arrows with two heads, or arrows with no heads on either end.
Step 2: Next, click and drag to draw the arrow after completion.
Step 3: After finishing writing the connector arrow, you can also use the yellow circular button to change the shape of the arrow. To shorten the arrow length, you'll click and use the small white circular button.
Here's the complete guide on writing arrows in Word 2019 to have various arrow styles. For each text presentation, a certain arrow will be used to illustrate the content appropriately. In this guide, we demonstrate various ways to write different arrows, such as inserting special characters in Word by selecting arrow symbols in Symbol, drawing arrows using tools on Shapes to create various arrow styles... So, choose according to your needs for the appropriate writing options!
- Read more: How to insert special characters in Word
