You may want to place a circle around a certain letter or number in your MS Word document. This may be to emphasize an important point in the document. It may also be to simply decorate the text.
4 ways to put a circle around Letters and Numbers in MS Word
- Use the Oval Tool
- Use the Enclose Characters Tool
- Insert a Circle Shape
- Insert Enclosed Alphanumeric Symbols
We will show you step-by-step instructions for all the tools above.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Use the Oval Tool
Note: Word does not enable the Oval Tool by default. The best place to enable and place the Oval Tool is in the Quick Access Toolbar.
Step #1: Open the Word Document
Open the Word document where you want to place circles.
Step #2: Open the Word Options menu.
Click on the File tab in the top menu toolbar.
This opens the Files menu.
Click Options at the bottom of the Files menu.
Word Options menu will open.
Click on Quick Access Toolbar.
A dialog box for Customize the Quick Access Toolbar will open on the right-hand side.
Step #3: Customize the Quick Action Toolbar
Click on the down arrow below Choose commands from:
From the drop-down menu, select All Commands to change the command list below.
Search in the command list below All Commads and click on Oval.
Click on the Add button on the right-hand side of the command list.
Word will add the Oval tool in the Quick Action Toolbar list on the right.
Click on OK at the bottom of the dialog box to exit.
The Oval tool appears in the Quick Action Toolbar above the main toolbar.
Step #4: Use the Oval Tool
Position the cursor where you want the circle to appear.
Click on the Oval Tool in the Quick Action Toolbar.
The cursor will change to a cross.
Click on one corner and drag the cross cursor to the opposite corner to form a non-transparent circle.
Right-Click on the circle to open a menu.
Click on Format AutoShape/Picture.
This opens the Format AutoShape dialog box.
Click on the tab Colors and Lines.
Under Fill, drag the Transparency bar to the extreme right to 100%.
Click on OK at the bottom of the dialog box to exit.
Word makes the circle transparent.
Open the Format AutoShape/Picture dialog box again. Use it to change the weight, color, and style of the circle.
Method #2: Use the Enclose Characters Tool
Note: Word does not enable the Enclose Characters Tool by default. The best place to enable and place the Enclose Characters Tool is in the Quick Access Toolbar.
Step #1: Open the Word Document
Open the Word document where you want to place circles.
Step #2: Open the Word Options menu.
Click on the File tab in the top menu bar.
This opens the Files menu.
Click Options at the bottom of the Files menu.
Word Options menu will open.
Click on Quick Access Toolbar.
A dialog box to Customize the Quick Access Toolbar will open on the right-hand side.
Step #3: Customize the Quick Action Toolbar
Click on the down arrow below Choose commands from:
From the drop-down menu, select All Commands to change the command list below.
Search in the command list and click on Enclose Characters.
Click on the Add button on the right-hand side of the command list.
Word will add the Enclose Characters tool in the Quick Action Toolbar list on the right.
Click on OK at the bottom of the dialog box to exit.
The Enclose Characters tool appears in the Quick Action Toolbar above the main toolbar.
Step #4: Use the Enclose Characters tool
Select the letter or number around which you want the circle to appear.
Click on the Enclose Characters tool in the Quick Action Toolbar.
The Enclose Characters dialog box will open.
Under Style, click on the Enlarge symbol icon in the dialog box.
Under Enclosure, select the shape of the enclosure you want.
Click on OK to exit.
Word places the selected shape to enclose the letter/number.
Method #3: Insert a Circle Shape
Step #1: Open the Word Document
Open the Word document where you want to place circles.
Step #2: Insert a Circle Shape
Click on the Insert tab on the top menu toolbar to change the ribbon.
In the section Illustrations, click on the Shapes icon.
This opens a drop-down dialog box for various shapes.
Click on the Oval icon in Basic Shapes.
The cursor will change to a cross.
Position the cross cursor at the top left-hand corner. Drag it to the bottom right-hand corner to form a non-transparent circle.
Under Shape Styles, click on Shape Fill.
This opens the Shape Styles dialog.
Click on No Fill.
The circle changes to a transparent one.
You can select the circle and use the handles to move it. You can also change its shape and size.
Method #4: Insert Enclosed Alphanumeric Symbols
Step #1: Open the Word Document
Open the Word document where you want to place circles.
Place the cursor where you want the circle to appear.
Step #2: Insert Enclosed Alphanumeric Symbols.
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu toolbar to change the ribbon.
In the section Symbols, click on the Symbol icon.
In the drop-down menu, click on the More Symbols icon.
This will open the Symbol dialog.
Under the Symbols tab, click on the downward arrow on the right of Font.
Under Font, select the Calibri font.
Under Subset, select Mathematical Operators.
A number of encircled symbols will appear.
Select the symbol you want.
Click on Insert and then on Close at the bottom of the dialog to exit.
Word places the selected symbol in the document.
Note: Word offers only numbers as enclosed alphanumeric symbols.
Conclusion
Follow our simple instructions to place a circle around a number or letter in your document. We have shown you four methods. Select the one that suits you best.