How to Type Pipe Symbol or Vertical Line “|” in Word & Mac?

A pipe symbol is used in computer programming to represent the Boolean function.
In mathematics, two vertical bar signs || represent a parallel line.
It is located on the keyboard on the backslash key which is above the Enter key. In Microsoft windows, Press and hold the shift and then press the backslash key to insert |.

On the numeric keyboard, you can insert a vertical bar symbol in Microsoft word using the Alt code. Enter 124 while holding the Alt key on the numeric code, this code will be changed into a pipe sign.
With the simple keyboard, you can make it by using a pipe shortcut code. Type 007C and press Alt-X.
On a mac, it is available on the keyboard. Hold down the shift key and press the backslash to insert it.

Shortcuts and Alt Codes:

Copy and Paste Pipe Sign:

It is very easy to insert a vertical bar on the keyboard using shift and backslash. If you want to make it through copy and paste method then you can copy it from the box below and then paste it into word, Excel, or any other document.

5 Ways to Insert Vertical Bar Sign in Word and Excel:

There are multiple ways to make a pipeline symbol on the keyboard. Here we will discuss all possible methods it in Microsoft word.

1. Symbol Library
2. Autocorrect Method. 
3. Keyboard Keys.
4. Shortcut Code.
5. Alt Code.

Step 1: Symbol Library

Microsoft office has a symbol library where mostly Greek and Latin characters are available. You can insert this sign as well by using the symbol library.

Go to the symbol library in Microsoft word, Excel or PowerPoint.

Find a pipe character and select it. If you’re unable to locate it, then you can enter Unicode 007C code in the character box.

Step 2: Autocorrect method

The Autocorrect method is the quickest way to insert the Greek character (degree, alpha, and micro, etc.) in Ms word. You can set up it manually in word.

1. Go to the symbol library using the insert option at the top of the page.
2. Find the pipe text and select it. Now click the autocorrect option. 
3. In the Replace box, type “pipetext,” then click “add” and “save.”
4. Now when you type “pipetext,” it will automatically be corrected to |.

Step 3: Keyboard Keys

The pipe icon is available on all keyboards. It is located above the enter button on the backslash key. You can insert it by pressing the shift and backslash keys on the keyboard.

Step 4: Shortcut Code

In Microsoft word, it is easy to type a vertical text if you don’t have a numeric keyboard because this method applies to both numeric and simple keyboards.

• Open Microsoft word and enter 007C and press the Alt and X keys.
• This shortcut code will be changed to |.

Step 5: Pipe Character Alt Code

In a numeric keyboard, a vertical sign can be inserted by using the Alt code.

• Hold down the Alt key and then type 124.

Make sure you’re using a separate keyboard or your keyboard must have separate numeric keys. If you are using a laptop then can enable the numeric keyboard using Fn and Numlock key.

How to Type Pipe Sign on Mac?

There are limited symbols available on the mac keyboard. Fortunately, the pipe is also available on the mac keyboard. You can insert it using the shortcut keys on the mac keyboard. It is available on the backslash key above the enter button.

• Press and hold the shift key and press the backslash key to insert it.

Here’s another method to insert a straight line on mac using character view.

1. To open character view on mac, Press control + command + space bar.
2. Select Edit and then click on Emoji and Symbols.
3. At the top, Enter the vertical line in the search field.
4. You will see the |, click on it and insert it.

How to Make the Perpendicular Symbol by using a Character Map?

An additional way to insert a vertical sign in Microsoft windows using a character map.

Search the character map at the bottom left corner of the windows.

A pop-up menu will appear when you click on it.

Check the advanced menu and enter “Vertical Line” in the search field.

Select and copy it. You can use it anywhere on windows.   

How to Insert Vertical Bar Sign on Android?

There is no shortcut or alternative code to insert it on Android, but you can do so. You can use the first method, copy and paste, in this case. You can copy and paste it from here onto your Android device. On Android, this is the only way to insert the perpendicular sign.

You can also download a Greek symbols keyboard from the Google Play store to type any Greek sign on your Android device.

How to Make Straight Line on an iPhone/iOS?

There is no specific Greek sign on the iPhone keypad, and you cannot insert it using any code. You can insert it on iPhone similarly to Android by copying and pasting. You can copy it from here and paste it wherever you want on your iPhone text app.

Conclusion:

As the pipe symbol key is available on the keyboard unlike other symbols, so it is easy to use the keyboard shortcut keys to insert it. Press and hold the Shift + Backslash keys on both windows and mac keyboards. If you’re keyboard pipe key isn’t working properly then you can use Alt code 124 on the numeric keyboard.

Thank you!