Arrows are useful for pointing to specific parts of an image or drawing attention to text. Google Docs makes it easy to insert all kinds of arrows, including directional arrows (↑ → ↓ ←), double-sided arrows (↔), and even more complex arrows with multiple heads.
This guide will show you several methods for inserting arrow symbols into Google Docs on both desktop and mobile.
Use the Insert Menu
The easiest way to add an arrow is by using the Insert menu:
- Place your cursor where you want the arrow to appear
- Go to Insert > Special Characters
- Select Symbols and then Arrows from the dropdown menus
- Choose the arrow you want to insert
Example:
Insert arrow
You can insert as many arrows as you need this way. Just repeat the steps above.
Use the Equations Tool
The equations editor also contains various arrows under Symbols:
- Go to Insert > Equation
- Click the Σ Symbols button
- Go to the Arrows section
- Select the arrow and click Insert
Example:
Equation arrow
This method allows you to insert arrows alongside equations and mathematical expressions.
Draw Arrows Using Google Drawings
To annotate images or highlight specific parts of a document, you can draw arrows right inside Google Docs:
- Click Insert > Drawing > New to start a new drawing
- Select the Line or Arrow shape style
- Click and drag to draw the arrow on the page
- Customize the arrow’s color, style, etc.
- Click Save and Close when finished
Example:
Draw arrow
The drawing canvas gives you more artistic freedom when it comes to placing and styling arrows.
Type Arrows Using ALT Codes
You can quickly type arrow symbols by holding down ALT and entering the appropriate code on your keyboard numeric keypad:
| Arrow | ALT Code |
|-|-|
| ↑ Up arrow | ALT + 24 |
| ↓ Down arrow | ALT + 25 |
| → Right arrow | ALT + 26 |
| ← Left arrow | ALT + 27 |
Make sure NUM LOCK is on for this to work. Just hold down ALT, enter the code, and release ALT to produce the arrow symbol.
Insert Arrows on Mobile
Adding arrows in the Google Docs mobile app works the same as on desktop. Tap the + symbol and then choose either:
- Special Characters to access the arrows collection
- Drawing to draw your own arrows
- Equation editor to add arrows to mathematical expressions
The mobile interface makes inserting arrows just as simple on phones and tablets.
Copy and Paste Arrows
Once an arrow is inserted into a document, you can quickly make copies by selecting it and pressing CTRL+C to copy or CTRL+V to paste. This lets you reuse the same arrow multiple times without having to reinsert it.
Style and Format Arrows
Like other text and shapes, arrows can be formatted and customized in Google Docs:
- Change arrow color
- Modify line thickness
- Apply text wrapping settings
- Add borders or backgrounds
- Adjust transparency
- Group/ungroup arrows with other objects
Right-click the arrow and choose Format options to access these settings.
Remove or Delete Arrows
To get rid of an arrow, simply click it and press the Delete or Backspace key. You can also right-click it and choose Delete. This will remove the arrow from your document completely.
Conclusion
Whether you’re pointing out details in an image, denoting movement in a flowchart, or adding visual flair to text, arrows are a handy tool to have in Google Docs. With several quick and easy methods for inserting arrows available, it’s simple to add these directional symbols to enhance your documents.
The next time you need an arrow, don’t think twice about reaching for this useful mark. Google Docs empowers you to insert arrows on both desktop and mobile using the special characters menu, drawing tools, equation editor, keyboard shortcuts, and more.
