What Is Delta Symbol In Google Sheets?
The Delta Symbol in Google Sheets is a Greek Symbol/Character used to represent data variations on Google Sheets dashboards. The variations are shown for a time period. The symbol of the Delta character isD, ▲, δ, depending on the methods we use.
We can insert the Google Sheets Delta Symbol in various ways, such as using the simple Copy and paste method, keyboard shortcuts and using the CHAR function.
For example, we can insert the Delta symbol as follows:
Select an empty cell, here cell A1, and press the keys “Alt+30”.
The output is shown above, i.e., the Delta symbol is inserted.
[Special Note: Ensure to double-click the cell and get into Edit mode, before pressing the shortcut keys to insert the Delta Symbol. Or else the shortcut keys will not work if we have only selected the cell.]
Key Takeaways
- The Delta Symbol in Google Sheets is a character that symbolizes the variation of data within a period.
- Delta is the 4th alphabet in Greek language, and its symbol is D, ▲, δ, i.e., it looks like an empty triangle. We can customize it with eye-catching colors.
- It is created and used in the dashboard where we generate reports to display profit or loss, expense or overspending, pass or fail, completion or delay in project completion.
- We have the uppercase and the lowercase delta symbol, both that can be inserted using the CHAR function and the Keyboard shortcuts, accordingly.
- The shortcut key to add the Delta symbol is “Alt+30”. We will insert the number 30 from the number keyboard, located at the right end of the keyboard, and not from the numeric or special character keys.
How To Insert Delta Symbol In Google Sheets?
We can Insert Delta Symbol in Google Sheets using few methods, namely,
- Using the CHAR function.
- Copy and Paste.
- Keyboard Shortcut.
Method #1 – Using the CHAR function –
The steps to Insert Delta Symbol in Google Sheets using the CHAR function are,
Step 1: Select the cell to enter the symbol.
Step 2: Type =CHAR(916) or Char(948) for uppercase or lowercase delta symbol, respectively,and press “Enter”.
Method #2 – Copy and Paste –
The steps to Insert Delta Symbol in Google Sheets using the Copy and Paste methodare,
Step 1: Select the cell to enter the symbol.
Step 2: Type =CHAR(916). Else, press shortcut keys “Alt+30” and press “Enter”.
. Step 3: Right-click on the cell where the symbol is inserted. Select the “Copy” option.
Step 4: Go to a new cell, right-click and select the “Paste” option.
Method #3 – Keyboard Shortcut –
The steps to Insert Delta Symbol in Google Sheets using the Keyboard Shortcut are,
Step 1: Select the cell to enter the symbol and double-click to enter into Edit mode.
Step 2: Press shortcut keys “Alt+30” or “Alt 235” to insert the uppercase or lowercase Delta symbol, respectively.
[Note: The numbers 30 and 235 should be pressed from the number keyboard located at the right end of the keyboard and not from the numeric keys.]
Examples
Let us consider some Delta Symbol In Google Sheets examples to display data variations of profit/loss, overspending, delay in project completion and students getting A grade.
Example #1 – Show positive changes in sales figures over time
The dataset given below consists of smartphone brands with July and August month sales. We have calculated the difference between the sales in column D. Let us use the Delta Symbol to show positive changes in sales figures over time.
The steps to display positive change using the Delta Symbol are,
Step 1: Select cell E2 and enter the formula =IF(D2>0,”▲”&D2,”Loss”), as shown below.
Step 2: Press “Enter” and drag the formula from cell E2 to E7 using the fill handle to get the following results.
The output is shown above, i.e., the positive change or the profit is displayed with the Delta Symbol and the profit amount.
Example #2 – Show overspending in personal budget
The dataset given below consists of 5 employees income, budget limit and expenses of a month. We have calculated the difference between the expense and the budget in column E. Let us use the Delta Symbol to show overspending in personal budget.
The steps to display overspending using the Delta Symbol are,
Step 1: Select cell F2 and enter the formula =IF((D2-C2)>0,”▲”&”Overspending”,”Within Budget”), as shown below.
Step 2: Press “Enter” and drag the formula from cell F2 to F6 using the fill handle to get the following results.
The output is shown above, i.e., exceeded budget is displayed with the Delta Symbol.
Example #3 – Show delays in the project’s completion
The dataset given below consists the respective project completion deadline and the actual date it was completed by five employees. Let us use the Delta Symbol to show delays in the project’s completion.
The steps to display delay in project completion using the Delta Symbol are,
Step 1: Select cell D2 and enter the formula =IF(B2=C2,”Completed”,”▲”&”Delay”), as shown below.
Step 2: Press “Enter” and drag the formula from cell E2 to E7 using the fill handle to get the following results.
The output is shown above, i.e., the delay in the project completion is displayed with the Delta Symbol as the completion date and the project deadline date vary.
Example #4 – Show students passing with A grade
The dataset given below consists of grade 10 student details, such as their names, ID’s, Final scores and their promotion details. Let us use the Delta Symbol to show students passing with A grade.
The steps to display A grade students using the Delta Symbol are,
Step 1: Select cell G2 and enter the formula =IFS(E2>=90%,”▲”&”A Grade”,E2>=70%,”B Grade”,E2>=50%,”C Grade”,E2<50%,”D Grade”), as shown below.
Step 2: Press “Enter” and drag the formula from cell G2 to G26 using the fill handle to get the following results.
The output is shown above, i.e., the students who have passed with 90% and above have received A Grade and it is displayed with the Delta Symbol.
Important Things To Remember
- The Delta Symbol comes in two ways: a filled delta [▲] and another is an empty delta [Δ], based on the methods we use.
- The CHAR function and the shortcut keys methods help us insert both kinds of Google Sheets Delta Symbols.
- To insert the Delta Symbol in Google Sheets, ALT + 30 is the shortcut.
- We must make sure to double-click the cell and get into Edit mode, before pressing the shortcut keys to insert the Delta Symbol. Or else the shortcut keys will not work, i.e., there will be no changes or the symbol will not be inserted, if we have only selected the cell.
- The numbers 30 and 235 should be pressed from the number keyboard located at the right end of the keyboard and not from the numeric keys.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We can use the Insert tab from the ribbon to insert the Delta Symbol as follows:
First, choose a cell to insert the Delta Symbol – select the “Insert” tab – go to the “Symbols” group – click the “Symbol” option drop-down – select the “Symbol” option, as shown below.
The “Symbol” window appears. Here, select the “Symbols” tab – choose the “Symbols” option from the “Font:” field drop-down, as shown below.
Finally, select the Delta Symbol found in the 5th option of the 3rd Row, click “Insert”, and select the “Close” option, as shown below.
Now, we will see the Delta Symbol in the chosen cell.
A few reasons the Google Sheets Delta Symbol may not work are,
• We are trying to use the shortcut keyboard keys, for uppercase or lowercase Delta Symbol, without getting the cell to Edit mode. Therefore, first we must select the cell, double-click and then press the shortcut keys.
• We are entering it using the CHAR function but not with the right Unicode. Remembering the Unicode are very important.
• We are using the copy-paste method, but we haven’t copied the symbol in the first place. So, we are unable to paste it when required.
A few alternate ways to copy-paste Google Sheets Delta Symbol are,
Method 1 – To copy the symbol, we must press the shortcut keys “Ctrl+C” and to paste it we must use the shortcut keys “Ctrl+V”.
Method 2 – We can use the ribbon as follows:
Step 1: Select the cell with the symbol – go to the “Edit” tab – click the “Copy” option, as shown below.
Step 2: Select a new empty cell – go to the “Edit” tab – click the “Paste” option, as shown below.
In these alternate methods we can copy-paste the Delta Symbol as required. In the above images, we can also see the shortcut keys for copy-paste, just in case we forget.
Download Template
This article must help understand Delta Symbol in Google Sheets with its formulas and examples. You can download the template here to use it instantly.
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