Character Explorer
Character Playground
Copy a formula, paste it in a Google Sheets cell, and turn Unicode characters into progress bars, star ratings, emoji journeys, and more.
Popular Google Sheets special characters
Build your own
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Build a progress bar using block characters that fills based on the percentage in cell A1 out of 100
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Create a 5-star rating display using filled and empty star characters with REPT
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR REPT
Make a traffic light using filled circle characters (●) colored red, yellow, or green based on status in column B
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Build a progress track using block characters and an arrow that moves along it with REPT and CHAR
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR
Show up arrow, down arrow, or flat arrow based on whether a number is positive, negative, or zero
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR
Create a yes/no display with a checkmark character from CHAR and an X for no
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR ROUND
Make a battery level indicator using block characters and show the percentage next to it
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Build a heart health bar that shows filled and empty hearts based on a score from 1 to 5
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Create a sound level meter using block characters that grows with the value in A1
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Generate this formula →REPT MOD NOW
Make animated loading dots that cycle using REPT and MOD with NOW
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR
Show gold, silver, or bronze star characters for ranks 1, 2, 3 and the number for everything else
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Generate this formula →CHOOSE CHAR
Display a dice face using dot characters and box drawing based on a number from 1 to 6 using CHOOSE
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR
Pick a weather symbol based on temperature ranges: sun, cloud, rain, snow characters
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Generate this formula →CHAR
Add a bullet point character from CHAR before text in column B
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Draw a simple ASCII box border around content using box-drawing characters and CHAR(10) for newlines
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Build a sparkline-style bar chart in a single cell using REPT and block characters
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Generate this formula →CHOOSE CHAR
Show a mood indicator from sad to happy face characters based on a score from 1 to 5
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Generate this formula →REPT IF CHAR
Create a password strength bar with blocks and a text label of Strong, OK, or Weak
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Generate this formula →CHOOSE CHAR
Show tree growth stages using block and line characters based on a level number
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Generate this formula →CHOOSE CHAR
Build a compass arrow that points in 8 directions based on a number from 1 to 8
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Generate this formula →IF CHAR REPT
Combine CHAR and REPT to make a custom checkbox that shows a checkmark when TRUE and empty when FALSE
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Generate this formula →REPT CHAR
Create a horizontal bar race chart in one cell where an arrow character moves along a track of dots
Frequently asked questions
How do I use the CHAR function in Google Sheets?
Type =CHAR(number) where number is the Unicode code point for the symbol you want. Browse the grid above, click a character, and copy the full formula with one click. For syntax, videos, and examples, see the CHAR formula guide.
How do I insert special characters in Google Sheets without copy-paste?
Enter a CHAR formula directly in the cell, for example =CHAR(10003) for a checkmark. This page is a visual symbol table: find the character, click Copy formula, and paste into Google Sheets. No add-on or character map required.
What is the CHAR number for a checkmark, star, bullet, or line break?
Common codes: checkmark =CHAR(10003), star =CHAR(9733), bullet =CHAR(8226), line break =CHAR(10). Each row in the popular characters table links to a deep link with the formula ready to copy.
What is the difference between CHAR and CODE in Google Sheets?
CHAR turns a number into a character. CODE does the reverse: it returns the numeric code for the first character in a text string. Use CHAR to insert symbols from a code point. Use CODE when you already have the character and need its number.
What is the difference between CHAR and UNICODE?
Both return a single text character from a numeric code in Google Sheets. UNICODE is often clearer when you think in Unicode code points. CHAR is the classic name most spreadsheet users search for. This page copies =CHAR(n) formulas for pasting into your sheet.
How do I find the CHAR code for any symbol?
Click the symbol in the grid, or type its decimal code in the Number for =CHAR() field at the top of the sidebar. Try 9733 for a star, or use =CODE("★") on text you already have in a cell.
Can I use CHAR with REPT to make progress bars?
Yes. Combine REPT with block characters, for example =REPT("█",A1)&REPT("░",10-A1). The Character Playground below includes progress bars, star ratings, emoji scenes, and more you can copy and paste.
Why is my CHAR formula showing a blank or error?
=CHAR(10) inserts a line break and can look blank inside a single cell. Numbers above 1114111 or negative values return an error. Excel CHAR only supports codes 1 through 255; Google Sheets supports full Unicode. Double-check the code point in the popular characters table or detail panel.