How to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets (4 Easy Ways)

We frequently require the Not Equal to symbol () to depict a comparison between the two values which are unequal. But unfortunately, Google Sheets doesn’t have any ribbon from where you can insert any special characters. In spite of that, I can demonstrate 4 easy ways to insert the not equal to symbol in Google Sheets. You can employ these ways to insert other special characters as well. The following image contains an overview of the result we require.

An overview of the output of the article


A Sample of Practice Spreadsheet

You can copy our practice spreadsheets by clicking on the following link. The spreadsheet contains an overview of the datasheet and an outline of the demonstrated ways to insert a not equal to symbol in Google Sheets.


4 Easy Ways to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets

First, let’s have a look at our simple dataset required for inserting the not equal to symbol in Google Sheets. We require only 2 rows and 2 columns for the symbol name and the symbol. Now, let’s get started.

Dataset overview


1. Copying Not Equal to Symbol from Google Docs

Although Google Sheets does not contain any ribbon for inserting special symbols, we can insert special characters from the Insert ribbon in Google Docs. Hence, an easy way to insert the not equal to symbol in Google Sheets is to insert it in Google Docs first and then copy it to Google Sheets. Follow the simple steps below for this.

Steps:

  • Firstly, open a Google Docs file on your computer.
  • Afterward, go to the Inset ribbon and select the Special Characters option.

Inserting not Equal to Symbol in Google Docs

  • At this time, a window like the following will pop up. Click on the search box of it.

Searching Not Equal to Symbol

  • As soon as we type “Not Equal to” in the search box, all symbols related to the word “Not Equal to” will appear. Now, click on the symbol you require from the set of appeared symbols.

Selecting Not Equal to Symbol

  • At this time, a not equal symbol has appeared in your Google Docs file. Hence, close the pop-up window.

Inserting Not Equal to Symbol in Google Docs File

  • Select the symbol and copy it using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C.

Copying Not Equal to Symbol from Google Docs File

  • Consequently, open your Google Sheets file and select Cell C5 (the cell where you want to insert the symbol).

Opening Google Sheets File

  • Lastly, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V to paste the copied symbol.

Finally, Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Required Cell of Google Sheets File

Read More: How to Insert Division Symbol in Google Sheets (4 Quick Methods)


2. Using Alt Key Code

Another easy way to insert any special character is by typing its Alt Code. For the not equal to symbol, the alt key code is ALT+8800. You can search the alt codes for other symbols in Wikipedia.

Steps:

  • Activate the cell where you want to insert the not equal to symbol by double-clicking on the cell. You can also activate the cell by selecting it first and then using the function key F2.

Activating Edit Mode in a Cell in Google Sheets

  • As soon as you type the alt code ALT+8800, the not equal to symbol will appear in the selected cell. However, you must have to be in edit mode for the proper execution of alt codes.
Note: You must have to use the Numeric keys from your keyboard for the ALT code.

Insert Not Equal to Symbol using Keyboard Shortcut in Google Sheets


3. Inserting from Windows Character Map

We can also insert any special character from the Windows Character Map. Follow the simple steps below to insert the not equal to symbol from Windows Character Map.

Steps:

  • Firstly, type “Character Map” in the search bar of your computer.
  • Then, select the Character Map App from the appearing options.

Searching for Windows Character Map in Computer

  • At this point, a window like the following will pop up. You can manually search the symbol here. But an efficient way to search for any symbol is to click on the check box of the “Advanced View” option.

Checking the Advanced Now Tool for Accessing More Options in Character Map

  • As soon as you check the Advanced View check box, the pop-up window will extend and a search option will appear.
  • Now, type in “Not Equal to” in the search box of the Search for option and then click on the Search command.

Search for Not Equal to Symbol in Character Map

  • At this time, symbols related to the search key “Not Equal to” will appear. Double-click on the symbol you require to select it.

Selecting Not Equal to Symbol from Character Map Search Result

  • After selecting the not equal to symbol, click on the Copy command and then close the pop-up window.

Copying Not Equal to Symbol from Character map

  • Consequently, open your Google Sheets file and select the cell where you want to insert the not equal to symbol.

Opening Google Sheets File and Selecting Required Cell

  • Finally, paste the required symbol by using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V.

Finally, Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Required Cell of Google Sheets File

Read More: How to Insert Symbol in Google Sheets (3 Easy Ways)


4. Performing Google Search

Perhaps the easiest way to insert a not equal to symbol or any other symbol is to copy it from Google Search results. We can get the symbols for any special character through Google Search.

Steps:

  • To start, open any browser first and then search for “Not Equal to Symbol” in the Google search bar.

Performing Google Search for not Equal to Symbol

  • Now, from the search result select the not equal to symbol and copy it by using the keyboard shortcut CTRL+C.

Copying Not Equal to Symbol from Google Search results

  • Afterward, open your Google Sheets file and select the cell where you want to insert the not equal to symbol.

Opening Google Sheets File to Insert Not Equal to Symbol

  • Lastly, use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+V to apply the paste command for inserting the not equal to symbol.

Finally, Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Required Cell of Google Sheets File

Read More: How to Insert Infinity Symbol (∞) in Google Sheets (2 Simple Ways)


Similar Readings


How to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets Formula

We also use the not equal to symbol as a comparison operator to check whether the value of a cell is not equal to the value of another cell. However, the not equal to symbol for formulas in Google Sheets is not the usual not equal symbol. Since we can directly insert a symbol in Google Sheets, we use <> symbol to depict the not equal to operator. Now, let’s demonstrate a simple example of using the not equal to operator in a Google Sheets formula. We’ll use the following dataset for demonstrating this example. If the value in subsequent cells of Column B and Column C are unequal, we’ll want to return True. Otherwise, we want to return False.

Dataset to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets Formula

Steps:

  • Firstly, select Cell D5.
  • Afterward, insert the following formula-
=B5<>C5
  • Then, get the required output by pressing the Enter key.

Check Whether Two Cells are Unequal or Not by Inserting a Not Equal to Operator in the Formula

  • Now, select Cell D5 again and then hover your mouse pointer above the bottom-right corner of the selected cell.
  • The Fill Handle icon will be visible at this point. Use the Fill Handle icon to copy the formula to other cells of Column D.

Using Fill Handle icon to Copy the formula in other Cells

  • The following image shows the final output of this example. And as you can see, the comment is TRUE when Value 1 and Value 2 are unequal. Otherwise, the comment is FALSE.

Final Result of the Example to Demonstrate How to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets

Read More: How to Add Dollar Sign in Google Sheets Formula (2 Quick Tricks)


How to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting

We often use Conditional Formatting to highlight certain values or make particular cells easy to pinpoint. This changes the outlook of a cell range based on a condition (or criteria). We can insert the not equal to symbol for Google Sheets formulas in these conditions (or criteria) as well.

1. Inserting Not Equal to Symbol in Custom Formula

Instead of returning True or False values to depict the inequality of two subsequent cells, we’ll use Conditional Formatting to depict the inequality here with formatting color. The following is the dataset we’ll use for this example.

Dataset for Demonstrating an Example to Insert not Equal Symbol in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting

Steps:

  • First, select range D5:D7 and then go to the Format ribbon.
  • From the appearing options, select Conditional Formatting.

Applying Conditional Formatting to the required Range

  • A sidebar like the following will appear.

Sidebar for applying Conditional Formatting

  • Here, set the Format Rules to Custom Formula from the dropdown list.
  • Afterward, set the formula to the following-
=B5<>C5
  • Consequently, select the required fill color from Formatting Style.
  • And now, click on Done.

Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Custom Formula of Google Sheets Conditional Formatting

  • The appearance of cells in Column D has now changed if the subsequent cells in Columns B and C are unequal.

Final Result of the Example to Insert Not Equal to Symbol in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting


2. Using Is Not Equal to Condition

We can also use the Is Not Equal to condition instead of inserting the not equal to symbol in conditional formatting. We’ll use the following dataset for this example. If a value is not equal to the value Email 1, the cell will be formatted with a different color.

Dataset for Demonstrating Is Not Equal to Condition in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting

Steps:

  • First, select the range B5:D7 and then go to the Format ribbon.
  • Select Conditional Formatting from the appeared options.

Employing Conditional Formatting to the Selected Range

  • At this time, a sidebar like the following will appear.

Sidebar for Employing Conditional Formatting

  • Now, set the Format Rules to Is Not Equal to from the dropdown list.
  • After that, enter Email 1 as the Value for formatting.
  • Next, select the required fill color from Formatting Style.
  • And now, click on Done.

Applying Is Not Equal to Condition in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting

  • And as soon as you click on Done, the range will be conditionally formatted with the required format.

Final Output of Employing Is Not Equal Condition in Google Sheets Conditional Formatting


Things to Be Considered

  • The not equal to symbol for Google Sheets formulas (<>) is different than the usual not equal symbol ().
  • You must have to be in edit mode for the proper execution of alt codes. You can activate edit mode by double-clicking on the cell or by selecting the cell first and then using the function key F2.

Conclusion

This concludes our article to learn how to insert the not equal to symbol in Google Sheets. While it is frustrating to not have any ribbon for inserting such special characters in Google Sheets, you can easily use the demonstrated methods for inserting any symbol of your requirement. And I hope the demonstrated ways were ideal for your requirements. Feel free to leave your thoughts on the article in the comment box. Visit our website OfficeWheel.com for more helpful articles.


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Seemanto Saha

Seemanto Saha

Hello, I am Seemanto Saha, and working as a Technical Writer and Content Creator at OfficeWheel.com. I completed my B.Sc. in Industrial and Production Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Being an enthusiast for solving analytical problems, I aim to leverage my research and analytical skills to create better content for everyone.

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