Dollar Symbol $ on Keyboard (Windows/Mac) + in Word/Excel

The dollar symbol looks like this: $.

Most people want one of two things:

• Type $ for money (prices, invoices, currency).
• Use $ in Excel formulas (for example, absolute references like $A$1).

This guide shows the fastest ways first, then simple step-by-step methods for Windows, Mac, Word, Excel, Google Docs/Sheets, iPhone/Android, plus quick fixes if you can’t find $ or your keyboard types the wrong currency symbol.

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Fastest ways to get the dollar symbol

Fastest copy/paste:

Windows (most keyboards): Try Shift + 4 (this depends on your keyboard layout).

Mac (US layout): Try Shift + 4.

If it doesn’t work, it’s usually a keyboard layout difference — use Character Viewer:

• Press Control + Command + Space
• Search dollar (or “currency”)
• Double-click $ to insert

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

Google Docs: Insert → Special characters, search dollar

Mobile: Copy/paste $ (fastest reliable method)

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Quick Reference (Dollar sign and close symbols)

Symbol	Name	Looks like	Fastest way (Windows)	Fastest way (Mac)	Notes (Word/Docs)
$	Dollar sign	S with a vertical line	Often Shift + 4 (layout-dependent) or copy/paste	US layout often Shift + 4 or Character Viewer	Word: Insert → Symbol. Docs: Insert → Special characters (search “dollar”)
£	Pound sign	Fancy L	Varies by keyboard layout	Varies by keyboard layout	Common confusion if your layout is set to UK
€	Euro sign	Curved E	Varies by keyboard layout	Varies by keyboard layout	Best: Symbol/Character Viewer if unsure
¢	Cent sign	c with a line	Copy/paste or Character Map	Character Viewer or copy/paste	Useful for cents (not dollars)

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

A) Windows

Method 1: Use the keyboard key (most common)

1. Press Shift and the number key that shows $ above it (often 4).
2. If you get a different symbol (like £), your keyboard layout is likely different (see Troubleshooting below).

Method 2: Copy/paste (works everywhere)

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

Method 3: Character Map (reliable fallback)

1. Click Start and search Character Map.
2. Open it.
3. Search dollar (or browse “Basic Latin”).
4. Select $, click Copy, then paste where you need it.

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

The alt code for the dollar sign is 36 and to use that, press down the Alt key and type 36 using the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard.

If Alt codes don’t work on your keyboard (very common on laptops without a real numpad), use Character Map instead.

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B) Mac

Method 1: US keyboard shortcut (fast)

1. Try Shift + 4 (US layout).

Method 2: Character Viewer (works on any layout)

1. Press Control + Command + Space.
2. Search dollar.
3. Double-click $ to insert.

Tip: If you often type money symbols, Character Viewer is the easiest way when layouts differ.

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C) Microsoft Word (strongest section)

Method 1: Insert → Symbol (most reliable)

1. Open Word and click where you want the $.
2. Go to the Insert tab.
3. Click Symbol (usually on the right).
4. Choose More Symbols…
5. Find $ and click Insert.
6. Click Close.

Tip: If you can’t see it easily, change the Font inside the Symbol dialog (some fonts make symbols harder to spot).

Method 2: Make $ easy to type with AutoCorrect (optional)

If you type $ all the time (prices, invoices), you can create a simple shortcut:

1. Go to File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options…
2. In Replace, type something like: dsign
3. In With, paste: $
4. Click Add, then OK.

(Choose a shortcut you won’t type by accident.)

Method 3: Fix “Word keeps changing $ formatting” (quick check)

If your issue is formatting (not typing), it may be because:

• You’re in a table or currency format
• Word is auto-formatting numbers

Simple workaround:

• Type the text first (like Price: $10) and then apply formatting after.

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D) Excel

Method 1: Type $ normally

1. Click a cell.
2. Try Shift + 4 (layout-dependent).

Method 2: Copy/paste (best when layout is confusing)

1. Copy $ from this page.
2. Paste into any cell or formula.

Method 3: Insert Symbol (if your Excel version shows Symbol)

1. Go to Insert.
2. Look for Symbol.
3. Insert $ from the list.

Important Excel note: $ in formulas is NOT “money”

In Excel formulas, $ often means “lock this part of the cell reference,” like:

• $A$1 (locked column and row)

So if someone says “I need the dollar sign in Excel,” they might mean:

• The $ character for currency text, or
• The $ reference inside a formula

This page covers typing the $ character, but the symbol is the same either way.

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E) PowerPoint

1. Click inside a text box.
2. Go to Insert → Symbol (or Insert → Symbols).
3. Select $ and insert.

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F) Google Docs + Google Sheets

Google Docs

1. Go to Insert → Special characters.
2. Search dollar.
3. Click $ to insert.

Google Sheets

• $ is a normal character and works in cells and formulas.

1. Copy $
2. Paste into a cell or formula bar.

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G) iPhone + Android (short)

Best reliable method: copy/paste $

If you want to find it on your phone keyboard:

• Tap ?123 (numbers & symbols)
• Look for $
• If it’s not visible, try #+= (more symbols)

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H) Chromebook (short)

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

If you’re using an external keyboard, try Shift + 4 (layout-dependent).

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What the dollar symbol is used for (simple examples)

• Money amounts: $10, $49.99, $1,000
• Pricing and invoices: product lists, receipts, online stores
• Spreadsheets: currency values, budgets, and also $ references in formulas like $A$1

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Troubleshooting (strong fixes)

“I pressed Shift + 4 but I got a different symbol”

This is usually a keyboard layout issue (for example US vs UK vs another layout).

Try this:

1. Check your keyboard layout/language in your system settings and switch back to the one you normally use.
2. If you can’t change it (work/school device), use:
   • Windows: Character Map → copy/paste $
   • Mac: Character Viewer → search dollar

“I can’t find the $ symbol on my laptop keyboard”

On most keyboards it’s on the number row, but some layouts place currency symbols differently.

Fast fix:

• Copy/paste $
• Or insert it with Word → Insert → Symbol / Mac Character Viewer

“Alt code doesn’t work”

Alt codes usually require:

• A numeric keypad
• Sometimes Num Lock
• The correct method for your device

If you’re on a laptop without a real numpad, Alt codes often fail. Use Character Map instead.

“I need the dollar sign in Excel but it keeps doing something else”

In Excel, $ can be part of:

• Regular text (currency), or
• Cell references in formulas (like $A$1)

If your issue is about formulas, you’re still using the same character $ — copy/paste it if typing is difficult.

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FAQ (People Also Ask style)

Where is the dollar symbol on the keyboard?

On many keyboards, it’s on the number row and typed with Shift (often Shift + 4). If that doesn’t work, your keyboard layout may be different—use Character Map (Windows) or Character Viewer (Mac).

How do I type $ in Word?

Fast: try your keyboard first (often Shift + 4).
Reliable: Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, then choose $.

How do I type $ in Excel?

Type it normally (often Shift + 4) or copy/paste $ into the cell or formula bar. If you mean $A$1 references, it’s still the same $ character.

Why does Shift + 4 not type $ on my keyboard?

Your keyboard layout may not be US. Switch layouts in your system settings, or use Character Map/Character Viewer.

How do I insert $ if my keyboard doesn’t have it?

Use copy/paste, Windows Character Map, Mac Character Viewer, or Insert → Symbol in Word/Office.

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Quick recap

• Fastest: copy/paste $
• Most keyboards: often Shift + 4 (layout-dependent)
• Reliable everywhere: Character Map (Windows) / Character Viewer (Mac)
• In Word: Insert → Symbol is the safest method
• If you get the wrong symbol: it’s usually a layout issue