Delta comes in two forms: capital Δ for change in a value (Δx) and lowercase δ for small changes or partial values. Word can insert both in normal text or inside an equation.
Inserting delta from the Symbol menu
Use this when you need delta once and don’t want to remember a code.
- Click where the symbol should go.
- Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
- Set Font to (normal text) and Subset to Greek and Coptic.
- Select Δ (capital) or δ (lowercase).
- Select Insert, then Close.
Result: the letter is inserted and appears in the recently used list under Insert > Symbol.
On a Mac, go to Insert > Advanced Symbol and open the Symbols tab.
Typing delta with a keyboard shortcut
Use this when you type delta often and want it without opening any menu.
On Windows (Word desktop):
| Character | Type | Then press |
|---|---|---|
| Δ capital delta | 0394 | Alt + X |
| δ lowercase delta | 03B4 | Alt + X |
| ∆ increment sign | 2206 | Alt + X |
- Type the code where the symbol should go.
- Press Alt + X.
Result: Word replaces the code with the symbol. Press Alt + X again to turn it back into the code.
Microsoft’s guide to Unicode character codes in Word lists 2206 for ∆ among its maths symbols.
On a Mac: press Option + J (US keyboard layout). This types ∆, the increment sign, not the Greek letter. For Greek Δ or δ, use the Symbol menu or an equation.
Tip: Need Δ many times? In the Symbol dialog, select it and choose AutoCorrect. Map a short code such as
(delta)so Word replaces it as you type.
Adding delta to an equation
Use this when delta is part of a formula, such as Δy/Δx.
- Press Alt + = on Windows, or go to Insert > Equation.
- Type
\Deltafor Δ or\deltafor δ. - Press Space.
Result: the Greek letter appears in the equation in the maths font.
The codes are case-sensitive: a capital D gives Δ, a lowercase d gives δ. Microsoft’s Math AutoCorrect list also has \inc for the ∆ increment sign.
You can also pick delta from the Symbols group on the Equation tab. Select More, then choose Greek Letters from the menu at the top.
For fractions such as Δy/Δx, see how to write math equations in Word.
Comparing the methods
| Method | Best for | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol menu | Occasional use, no codes | Windows, Mac, web |
| Code + Alt + X | Fast typing in normal text | Word for Windows |
| Option + J | Quick ∆ (increment) on a Mac | Mac |
\Delta / \delta in an equation | Formulas | Windows, Mac |
For other Greek letters such as α and π, see the special symbols in Word reference table.
Troubleshooting
- The wrong character appears after Alt + X: Word included letters before the code. Type a space before it, or select only the code, then press Alt + X.
\Deltagives the lowercase letter, or stays as text: check the capital D, and make sure the cursor is inside an equation box.- Delta shows as an empty box: the font doesn’t include Greek letters. Switch to a font such as Calibri, Times New Roman or Cambria Math.
- Word for the web: Alt + X is a desktop shortcut. Use Insert > Symbol instead.
More symbol and formula guides are in the Microsoft Word guides.