How to type the section sign §, paragraph mark ¶, copyright ©, registered ®, trademark ™, and other legal symbols on macOS, Windows, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and the web — with the 2026 working shortcut list.
**Section sign §** (most common need for lawyers) - macOS: Option + 6 - Windows (most apps): Alt + 0167 (numpad), or Alt + 21 in some contexts - Microsoft Word (any OS): type `\section` then space, or use Insert > Symbol - Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search "section sign" - HTML entity: `§` or `§` - Unicode: U+00A7
**Paragraph mark ¶** (used for paragraph references in legal citations and pleadings) - macOS: Option + 7 - Windows: Alt + 0182 (numpad) - Microsoft Word: `\paragraph` then space; or Ctrl+Shift+8 toggles paragraph mark display (not insertion) - Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search "pilcrow" - HTML entity: `¶` or `¶` - Unicode: U+00B6
**Copyright ©** - macOS: Option + G - Windows: Alt + 0169 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(c)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `©` or `©` - Unicode: U+00A9
**Registered trademark ®** - macOS: Option + R - Windows: Alt + 0174 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(r)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `®` or `®` - Unicode: U+00AE
**Trademark ™** - macOS: Option + 2 - Windows: Alt + 0153 (numpad), or autoreplace from `(tm)` in Word and Google Docs - HTML entity: `™` or `™` - Unicode: U+2122
**Degree °** (used in some forensic, surveying, and contract specifications) - macOS: Option + Shift + 8 - Windows: Alt + 0176 (numpad) - HTML entity: `°` or `°`
**Em dash —** (used in legal writing for parenthetical clauses) - macOS: Option + Shift + Hyphen - Windows: Alt + 0151 (numpad), or in Word the autoreplace from two hyphens - HTML entity: `—` or `—`
**En dash –** (used in date and statute ranges) - macOS: Option + Hyphen - Windows: Alt + 0150 (numpad) - HTML entity: `–` or `–`
**Bullet •** (typography in pleadings and contracts) - macOS: Option + 8 - Windows: Alt + 0149 (numpad) - HTML entity: `•` or `•`
**Windows laptops without numpads.** The Alt + numeric-code shortcuts above require an actual numeric keypad. Most modern laptops don't have one. Workarounds: (1) use the Windows on-screen keyboard with numpad enabled, (2) enable Fn-locked numpad on laptops that have an embedded numpad, (3) use the Windows Character Map utility, (4) install a third-party tool like AutoHotkey to define your own shortcuts, (5) use Windows + . (period) to open the emoji and symbol picker (Windows 10+), or (6) use Word / Google Docs autoreplace as below.
**Microsoft Word AutoCorrect.** Word ships with several legal-symbol autoreplaces enabled by default: `(c)` → ©, `(r)` → ®, `(tm)` → ™. You can add your own (File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options): map `\sec` to §, `\para` to ¶, etc. This is the fastest input method for high-volume legal writers on Windows.
**Google Docs.** Insert > Special characters opens a fast searchable picker — type "section" and § appears. You can also enable substitutions in Tools > Preferences > Substitutions (e.g., `\sec` → §).
**Mac shortcuts that don't work in some apps.** The Option-key combos above work in nearly every macOS app, but some terminal emulators, browsers in input fields, and remote-desktop sessions intercept Option-key combos differently. If a shortcut doesn't work in a specific app, fall back to Edit > Special Characters or copy-paste from a reference document.
**iOS / Android.** Long-press the relevant key on the on-screen keyboard. Long-press 'S' to surface § on most modern keyboards; long-press 'P' or paragraph-key options for ¶. iOS users can also add Text Replacements in Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement (e.g., type `ssec` to expand to §).
**The web (form fields, browser address bar, etc.).** All shortcuts above generally work in browser input fields on the originating OS. For HTML output (your firm website, blog posts, content management systems), use the HTML entity codes above — they render consistently across browsers regardless of font and encoding.
**Section sign § conventions.** Used to refer to specific sections of statutes, regulations, and codes. Standard usage: § followed by a non-breaking space, then the section number — e.g., "Criminal Code § 320.14" or "Bankruptcy Code § 727". For multiple sections, "§§" — e.g., "Tax Code §§ 401-403". The Bluebook (US) and McGill Guide (Canada) both prescribe specific formatting; check your jurisdiction's citation standard.
**Paragraph mark ¶ conventions.** Used to refer to specific paragraphs within a pleading, contract, or judgment — e.g., "Statement of Claim ¶ 47" or "Smith v. Jones, 2024 ONSC 1234, ¶¶ 12-15". For multiple paragraphs, "¶¶". Paragraph marks are also used in proofreading marks within a document (different context).
**Copyright © and registered ® conventions.** © for copyright (placed before year and rights holder, e.g., "© 2026 Firm Name. All rights reserved."). ® for registered trademarks (placed after the trademarked name, superscript or inline depending on house style). ™ for unregistered or claimed trademarks. Misuse of ® for unregistered marks is a regulatory issue in some jurisdictions.
**Em dash — and en dash – conventions.** Em dashes (—) for parenthetical clauses ("the defendant — who was unrepresented at trial — appealed"). En dashes (–) for ranges ("ss. 320.14–320.16", "the 2020–2024 reporting period"). Hyphens (-) for compound modifiers ("good-faith effort"). The three are not interchangeable in legal writing; using a hyphen where an en dash is required is a typography error that signals carelessness.
**Section pilcrow ¶ vs section sign §.** Common confusion. Section sign § refers to numbered sections of statutes and codes. Pilcrow ¶ refers to numbered paragraphs of pleadings, judgments, and other documents. They are not interchangeable.
If you write briefs, pleadings, or contracts daily, manual symbol entry is a productivity drag. The four highest-leverage automations:
**1. Word AutoCorrect (Windows + Mac Word).** Add your own short-form mappings: `\sec` → §, `\para` → ¶, `\ss` → §§, `\pp` → ¶¶, `\co` → ©, `\re` → ®, `\tm` → ™. Setup takes 5 minutes; saves 10-30 minutes per drafting session for high-volume writers.
**2. macOS Text Replacement (System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Text Replacements).** Same idea, system-wide on macOS — works in every app, not just Word. Best for Mac users.
**3. iOS / iPadOS Text Replacement (Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement).** Sync via iCloud across all your Apple devices. Set up once on Mac; works on iPhone and iPad too.
**4. AutoHotkey (Windows).** For power users who want system-wide text expansion across all Windows apps — install AutoHotkey, define a script with your symbol mappings, run on startup. Free and powerful.
The 30 minutes spent setting up text expansion repays itself in the first week of legal drafting.
Mac: Option + 6. Windows: Alt + 0167 on a numeric keypad. Microsoft Word any OS: type \section then space, or set up AutoCorrect (we recommend mapping \sec → §). Google Docs: Insert > Special characters > search 'section sign'. HTML: § or §.
Option + 7. The character is also called a 'pilcrow'. In Microsoft Word, you can also type \paragraph then space. Note: Ctrl+Shift+8 in Word toggles display of paragraph marks in your document — it doesn't insert one.
Yes — easiest options: (1) in Word, type \section then space, or set up an AutoCorrect entry (e.g., \sec → §); (2) Windows + . (period) opens the emoji and symbol picker (Windows 10 and 11); (3) install AutoHotkey and define your own keyboard shortcuts; (4) copy-paste from a reference document. Alt + 0167 requires an actual numeric keypad and won't work on most modern laptops.
Em dash (—) for parenthetical clauses. En dash (–) for ranges (dates, statute sections, page numbers). Hyphen (-) for compound modifiers and word breaks. Using the wrong one in legal writing is a typography error that signals carelessness; the three are not interchangeable.
Insert > Special characters opens a fast searchable picker — type 'section' and § appears, type 'pilcrow' for ¶, type 'copyright' for ©, etc. You can also enable Tools > Preferences > Substitutions to set up AutoCorrect-style replacements (e.g., \sec → §).
§ or the numeric § — both render as §. Use HTML entities rather than pasting the character directly to ensure consistent rendering across browsers, fonts, and content management systems. For modern UTF-8 encoded sites, pasting § directly also works in most cases, but entities are the safer choice for cross-platform consistency.