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Pipe Symbol | on Keyboard (Windows/Mac) + in Word/Excel

The pipe symbol (also called the vertical bar) looks like this: |.

People use it for things like:

  • Programming (pipes, OR logic, “send output to something else”)
  • Spreadsheets (joining text, patterns, formulas)
  • Search filters (example: cats | dogs meaning “either one” in some tools)

This guide shows the fastest ways to type | on Windows and Mac, how to insert it in Word/Excel/Google Docs, and how to fix problems like “my keyboard keeps typing |”.

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

Fastest way to get this symbol is to copy/paste. you can use the copy tool below:

Pipe Symbol (Vertical Bar) — Click to Copy
Click any button to copy the exact character (pipe vs slashes vs look-alikes).
Ready.

Main symbol

This is the pipe |

Common confusions

Copy the exact one you need

Windows (keyboard): On many keyboards, this symbol | is on the same key as the backslash \.
Try: Shift + \ (this can vary by keyboard layout).

Windows (reliable fallback): Use Character Map (search for “vertical line”, “vertical bar”, or “pipe”).

Mac (US keyboard): On a US Mac layout, try: Shift + \.
If it doesn’t work, it’s usually a keyboard layout difference — use Character Viewer:

  • Press Control + Command + Space
  • Search: vertical line, vertical bar, or pipe
  • Double-click to insert

Microsoft Word / Excel (reliable): Insert → Symbol (works even when your keyboard layout is confusing)

Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, then search pipe / vertical line / vertical bar

Mobile (iPhone/Android): Easiest reliable method: copy/paste |

Quick Reference (Pipe vs look-alikes)

SymbolNameLooks likeGet it on WindowsGet it on MacOSNotes (Word/Docs)
|Pipe / Vertical barOne straight vertical lineUsually Shift + \ (layout-dependent) or copy/pasteUS layout: usually Shift + \ or Character ViewerWord: Insert → Symbol. Docs: Insert → Special characters (search “pipe”)
\BackslashLeans leftOften the same key as | (without Shift)Often the same key as | (without Shift)Common confusion: | and \ are often on the same key
/Forward slashLeans rightDedicated key on most keyboards (also on many numpads)Dedicated key on most keyboardsNot the same as backslash \
‖Double vertical lineTwo vertical lines (single character)Copy/paste or Character MapCharacter Viewer or copy/pasteDifferent from typing || (two separate pipes)

Step-by-step methods (Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Docs, Mobile)

A) Windows

Method 1: Find the pipe key (where it usually is)

  1. Look for the key that also has a backslash \ on it.
  2. On many keyboards, \ is the normal key, and | is the Shift version.
  3. Try: Shift + \.

Tip: On many US keyboards, that key is near the Enter key. On some laptops, it may be smaller or placed slightly differently.

Method 2: Copy/paste (works everywhere)

  1. Copy this: |
  2. Paste with Ctrl + V.

Method 3: Character Map (most reliable when the key is missing)

  1. Click Start and search Character Map.
  2. Open it.
  3. Use the search (or browse) and look for:
    • vertical line
    • vertical bar
    • pipe
  4. Select the symbol, click Copy, then paste where you need it.
copy and paste Pipe Symbol

Method 4: Alt code (only if you already use Alt codes successfully)

Pipe Symbol keyboard shortcut

Alt codes can be inconsistent across apps and keyboards (especially on laptops without a true number pad).
If Alt codes don’t work on your setup, use Character Map instead.

B) Mac

Method 1: US keyboard (fast)

  1. Try: Shift + \ (this is the common US layout).

Method 2: Character Viewer (works on every Mac layout)

  1. Press Control + Command + Space.
  2. Search: vertical line, vertical bar, or pipe.
  3. Double-click the symbol to insert it.

Note: If you’re using a UK or other layout, the key position can differ — Character Viewer is the safest method.

C) Microsoft Word (strongest section)

Method 1: Insert it from Word’s Symbol library (most reliable)

  1. Open Word and click where you want the symbol.
  2. Go to Insert tab.
  3. Click Symbol (usually on the right).
  4. Choose More Symbols…
  5. Scroll through symbols until you find | and click Insert.
  6. Click Close.
insert Pipe Symbol or vertial bar in Word

Tip: If you can’t see it easily, try changing the Font inside the Symbol dialog (some fonts make | look like a thin line that’s easy to miss).

Method 2: Make it easy next time (optional)

If you use | often in Word, you can set up a simple text replacement:

  1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options…
  2. In “Replace”, type something memorable (example: |pipe or ppipe).
  3. In “With”, paste |.
  4. Click Add, then OK.

(Choose a replacement you’ll never type by accident.)

D) Excel

Method 1: Type it (if you find the key)

  1. Click a cell.
  2. Try Shift + \ (layout-dependent).

Method 2: Insert Symbol (reliable)

  1. Go to Insert.
  2. Look for Symbol (availability can vary by Excel version).
  3. Insert | from the symbol list.

Method 3: Copy/paste (best for formulas and text)

  1. Copy | from this page.
  2. Paste into your cell or formula.

E) PowerPoint

  1. Click inside a text box.
  2. Go to Insert → Symbol (or Insert → Symbols depending on version).
  3. Find | and insert.

F) Google Docs + Google Sheets

Google Docs

  1. Go to Insert → Special characters.
  2. Search: pipe, vertical line, or vertical bar.
  3. Click the symbol to insert.

Google Sheets

  • | is a normal character, so copy/paste works perfectly inside cells.
  1. Copy |
  2. Paste into a cell (or into a formula/text).

G) iPhone + Android

Best reliable method: copy/paste |

If you want to find it on a keyboard:

  • Many mobile keyboards hide extra symbols behind:
    • ?123 (numbers/symbols)
    • then #+= (more symbols)
  • If you can’t find it quickly, copy/paste is faster.

H) Chromebook (short)

  1. Copy | from this page.
  2. Paste with Ctrl + V.

If you’re using an external keyboard, try Shift + \ (layout-dependent).

What the pipe symbol is used for (simple examples)

  • Programming: Often means “OR” in some languages, or “pipe output into another command” in terminals.
  • Spreadsheets: Used in some formulas or text patterns, and often used as a “divider” character in data like: Name|Department|ID.
  • Search filters: In some tools it means “either/or”, like: report | invoice.

Common confusion (quick fixes)

| vs \ vs /

  • | = straight up and down
  • \ = leans left
  • / = leans right

A lot of keyboards put | and \ on the same key, which is why they’re mixed up.

| vs I vs l (fonts problem)

In some fonts:

  • | (pipe)
  • I (capital i)
  • l (lowercase L)

…can look very similar.

Fix: switch to a clear font like Arial/Calibri, then check again.

|| vs ‖

  • || = two pipe characters typed one after another
  • ‖ = a single character called “double vertical line”
    If you need the real ‖, use Character Map / Character Viewer or copy/paste it.

Troubleshooting (strong fixes)

“My keyboard types | instead of letters”

This is usually one of these:

  • A stuck key (physical problem)
  • A keyboard layout change
  • A shortcut/accessibility feature interfering
  • An app-specific setting (rare)

Try this, in order:

  1. Check if the | key is physically stuck
    • Press the key a few times.
    • If you spilled something, power off and clean carefully.
    • If you use an external keyboard, unplug it and test again.
  2. Restart your computer
    • Quick, boring, but it fixes a surprising number of keyboard glitches.
  3. Test in another place
    • Try typing in a different app (Notepad, a browser search box, etc.).
    • If it only happens in one app, the issue is likely inside that app (settings, macros, or replacements).
  4. Check your keyboard language/layout
    • If your keyboard layout changed (US/UK/other), keys can output different characters.
    • Switch back to your normal layout in your system language settings.
  5. Use an on-screen keyboard (quick diagnosis)
    • If the on-screen keyboard types normally but your physical keyboard doesn’t, it points to a hardware issue (the keyboard itself).

“I can’t find the pipe key on my laptop”

That’s common. Some laptops:

  • Make the \ | key smaller,
  • Move it near Backspace, Enter, or left Shift,
  • Or use a different layout entirely.

Fast fix:

  • Windows: Character Map → copy/paste
  • Mac: Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) → search “pipe”

“Alt code doesn’t work”

Common reasons:

  • Your keyboard has no numeric keypad
  • Num Lock is off
  • You’re typing numbers on the top row (that often won’t work for Alt codes)
  • The app you’re using doesn’t accept that input method

Fix: use Character Map / Character Viewer or Insert → Symbol (Word/Office).

“It keeps appearing every time I type”

  1. Check if that key is stuck or being pressed accidentally.
  2. Disconnect any external keyboard or input device and test again.
  3. Confirm your keyboard layout didn’t switch.
  4. If it’s only happening in Word, check whether you set an AutoCorrect replacement by accident (you can remove it in AutoCorrect Options).

FAQ (quick answers)

Where is the pipe symbol on the keyboard?

On many keyboards, | is on the same key as the backslash \. You usually type it with Shift, but the exact position can vary by keyboard layout (US vs UK) and by laptop model.

How do I type | in Word?

Most reliable: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then select | and click Insert. If you can find the key, try Shift + \ (layout-dependent).

How do I type | in Excel?

Try Shift + \ (layout-dependent). If you can’t find it, copy/paste | or use Insert → Symbol (if your Excel version shows Symbol).

What’s the difference between | and \ ?

  • | is a vertical line (pipe)
  • \ is a backslash (leans left)
    They’re often on the same key, which is why people mix them up.

Why does my keyboard keep typing the pipe symbol?

Most common causes are a stuck key or a keyboard layout change. Start by checking the key physically, restarting, and confirming your keyboard language/layout.

Quick recap

  • Fastest: copy/paste |
  • Keyboard: often Shift + \ (depends on layout)
  • Reliable everywhere: Windows Character Map, Mac Character Viewer
  • In Word: Insert → Symbol is the safest method
  • If it keeps appearing: check for a stuck key and layout changes