Character Explorer

Q: 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 Character Explorer grid, click a character, and copy the full formula. For syntax, videos, and examples, see the CHAR formula guide at https://bettersheets.co/formulas/char.

Q: 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. Use the Character Explorer to find the character, copy the formula, and paste into Google Sheets. No add-on or character map required.

Q: What is the CHAR number for a checkmark, star, bullet, or line break?

Checkmark =CHAR(10003), star =CHAR(9733), bullet =CHAR(8226), line break =CHAR(10). The Popular Characters grid on this page links to each symbol with the formula ready to copy.

Q: What is the difference between CHAR and CODE in Google Sheets?

CHAR turns a number into a character. CODE 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.

Q: 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 at /char/playground includes progress bars, star ratings, emoji scenes, and more you can copy and paste.

Q: 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 Popular Characters or the detail panel.

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. 190 examples to browse.

Progress bars Ratings Emoji scenes Status labels Time & clocks Pickers Borders Fun counters Star Wars Sports

Block progress bar

REPT

Put a score 0-10 in A1. Filled blocks show progress.

=REPT("█",A1)&REPT("░",10-A1)

████████░░

Star rating (5 stars)

REPT

Put rating 0-5 in A1.

=REPT("★",A1)&REPT("☆",5-A1)

★★★☆☆

X-wing Death Star trench run

REPT MAX

Put lap position 0-10 in A1. Fighter closes on the Death Star.

=REPT("・",A1)&"🛸"&REPT("・",MAX(0,10-A1))&"🌑"

・・・🛸・・・・・🌑

Traffic light status

Put red, yellow, or green in A1.

=IF(A1="red","🔴",IF(A1="yellow","🟡","🟢"))

🟢

Battery level

REPT ROUND MIN MAX

Put a percentage 0-100 in A1. Five blocks = 100%.

=REPT("█",MIN(5,MAX(0,ROUND(A1*5/100,0))))&REPT("░",5-MIN(5,MAX(0,ROUND(A1*5/100,0))))&" "&A1&"%"

███░░ 60%

Mood faces

CHOOSE

Put mood 1-5 in A1. 1 is sad, 5 is happy.

=CHOOSE(A1,"😢","😕","😐","🙂","😄")

🙂

Box border cell

REPT CHAR

Put inner width in A1. Draws a box around empty space.

="┌"&REPT("─",A1)&"┐"&CHAR(10)&"│"&REPT(" ",A1)&"│"&CHAR(10)&"└"&REPT("─",A1)&"┘"

┌────┐ │ │ └────┘

Dragon HP bar

REPT MIN MAX CHAR

Put hit points 0-10 in A1.

=REPT(CHAR(9829),MIN(A1,5))&REPT(CHAR(9608),MAX(0,A1-5))&REPT(CHAR(9617),10-A1)&" 🐉"

♥♥█░░ 🐉

Browse all 190 formulas

Popular Characters

Build your own

REPT IF MOD

Build a progress bar using block characters that fills based on the percentage in cell A1 out of 100

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REPT CHAR

Create a 5-star rating display using filled and empty star characters with REPT

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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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REPT CHAR

Build a progress track using block characters and an arrow that moves along it with REPT and CHAR

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IF CHAR

Show up arrow, down arrow, or flat arrow based on whether a number is positive, negative, or zero

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IF CHAR

Create a yes/no display with a checkmark character from CHAR and an X for no

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REPT CHAR ROUND

Make a battery level indicator using block characters and show the percentage next to it

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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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REPT CHAR

Create a sound level meter using block characters that grows with the value in A1

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REPT MOD NOW

Make animated loading dots that cycle using REPT and MOD with NOW

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IF CHAR

Show gold, silver, or bronze star characters for ranks 1, 2, 3 and the number for everything else

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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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IF CHAR

Pick a weather symbol based on temperature ranges: sun, cloud, rain, snow characters

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CHAR

Add a bullet point character from CHAR before text in column B

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REPT CHAR

Draw a simple ASCII box border around content using box-drawing characters and CHAR(10) for newlines

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REPT CHAR

Build a sparkline-style bar chart in a single cell using REPT and block characters

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CHOOSE CHAR

Show a mood indicator from sad to happy face characters based on a score from 1 to 5

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REPT IF CHAR

Create a password strength bar with blocks and a text label of Strong, OK, or Weak

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CHOOSE CHAR

Show tree growth stages using block and line characters based on a level number

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CHOOSE CHAR

Build a compass arrow that points in 8 directions based on a number from 1 to 8

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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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REPT CHAR

Create a horizontal bar race chart in one cell where an arrow character moves along a track of dots

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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 glyph in Popular Characters 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 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 Popular Characters or the detail panel.