How To Insert a Checkbox Into Microsoft Word

Ticking off the tasks you’ve already accomplished can be overly satisfying. Besides that, checkboxes have more useful applications like collecting data through surveys, creating shopping and grocery lists, tracking progress, just to mention a few. Whatever your case is, you’re probably trying to figure out how to integrate the feature into your Word documents. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, you’ll learn how to insert a checkbox in your Microsoft Word documents regardless of the device you’re using. Let’s get started.

How to Insert a Checkbox in Microsoft Word on a PC

Microsoft Word allows you to add checkboxes to your document through a feature called Check Box Content Control. The Check Box Content Control feature is often used for digitally check-marking documents, but it can also be used for print-only documents if correctly modified.

Adding a checkbox to your document is relatively straightforward, but before you start the process you need to have the “Developer” toolbar enabled. Here’s how to enable the “Developer” options:

1. Open Word.
   
2. Go to the homepage and select “Options” from the sidebar menu.
   
3. On the new window, select “Customize Ribbon.”
   
4. Under the “Customize the Ribbon” menu, choose “Main Tabs.”
   
5. Scroll down and ensure the “Developer” option is check-marked.
   
6. Click “OK.”
   

Now that you have the “Developer” option enabled, here’s how to create a checklist:

1. Navigate to “File” and open or create the document you’d like to add checkboxes to.
   
2. Type in the list of items you’d like to checkmark.
   
3. Select “Developer” from the navbar menu.
   
4. Place the typing cursor under the first item on the list.
   
5. On the ribbon menu, click the “Check Box Content Control” icon.
   
6. To customize your checkbox icon, select it and click on “Properties.”
   
7. Click the “Change” button against “Checked symbol.”
   
8. Select the “Webdings” font and choose the checkmark icon. You can opt for another symbol if you please.
   
9. Click “OK” to save the changes.
   
10. Copy the icon you’ve just customized above and paste it right before each item on the list.
    

The above process is suitable for electronic documents because the checkbox can easily be toggled.

If you want to create a checklist that can be ticked off when printed out, you don’t have to use the Check Box Content Control feature. Instead, you can create a list as you normally would and then customize the bullet symbol. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a Word document with a list of items you’d like to checkmark.
   
2. Select the entire list and right click then open the bullets menu.
   
3. Click on “Define New Bullet…” and select “Symbol.”
   
4. Select “Webdings” from the “Font” menu.
   
5. From the listed icons, select the checkbox symbol and click “OK.”
   
6. Click “OK” again to integrate the symbol with your list.
   

Once defined, the checkbox-style bullet can be used in future documents and can be switched for other symbols by selecting the bullet point menu.

How to Insert a Checkbox in Microsoft Word on an Android

Unlike the desktop version of Microsoft Word, the Android app doesn’t allow you to create interactive checkboxes. But worry not, there’s a workaround. For instance, you can use Google Docs to create a checklist and then transfer the document to the Word app for further editing. Here’s how to go about it:

1. On your Android phone, go to play store and install Google Docs.
   
2. After the installation is finished, Launch the app.
   
3. To create a new document, tap the plus button and select “New Docs file.”
   
   
4. On the document, create a list of items you’d like to checkmark.
   
5. Select the whole list and tap the bullet menu. You should now see other list items listed as well. Go ahead and select the checklist icon.
   
6. Name your document to save it as a Word document.
   

Now that you’ve successfully created a checklist, it’s time to access it in your Microsoft word app. Here’s how:

1. If you haven’t already, download and install the Microsoft Word app. If you’re using the app for the first time, you might be prompted to sign in to your Microsoft account before proceeding.
   
2. Launch your Google Drive and download the Word document you created in Google Docs above.
   
   
3. Locate the file on your local storage and open it using Microsoft Word.
   
   
4. Continue editing the checklist as you please.
   

How to Insert a Checkbox in Microsoft Word on an iPad

Just like with Androids, the Word app doesn’t allow you to insert a checkbox to your documents. You can follow the above steps to accomplish the process or alternatively use the online version of Word to insert checkboxes into your document. Here’s how to go about it:

1. On your tablet, launch App Store and get Google Docs.
   
2. Once the installation is finished, Open the app.
   
3. To create a new document, tap the plus button.
   
4. select “New Document.”
   
5. Name the new document and tap create.
   
6. Type in the list of items you’d like to checkmark.
   
7. Select the whole list and tap the bullet menu. You should now see other list items listed as well. Go ahead and select the checklist icon.
   
8. Once you’re done, select the check icon on the upper left corner.
   

Note: The above method is suitable for print-only documents. If you wish to add an interactive checkbox element to your documents – so they can be used digitally– consider using the desktop app instead.

How to Insert a Checkbox in Microsoft Word on an iPhone

Inserting a checkbox into your Word document using your iPhone can be quite a hassle, especially if you’re using the Microsoft Word app. Your best shot is to use other Word alternatives like Google Docs. However, if you really like the feel of Microsoft Word, you have the option of using Word for Web but as a Desktop site. Here’s how to use Word for Web to insert a checkbox into your Word document:

1. On your iPhone, open app store and get “Microsoft office.”
   
2. Launch your installed Office.
   
3. Click on the “plus Icon” to create a new Word document.
   
4. Click on “word” at the create section.
   
5. Select “blank document.”
   
6. Type in your checklist.
   
7. Select the whole list and click on the Edit text menu.
   
8. Scroll down and select the menu “Bullets.”
   
9. Choose the checkbox icon from the provided icons.
   
10. Tap the “3 dot” on the upper right to “Save” the document.
    

Word for Web doesn’t have the Check Box Content Control feature making it hard to create documents that can be digitally check-marked. If you want to electronically checkmark documents, then you should consider the desktop version instead.

You’re a Pro at Creating Checkboxes Now!

Checkboxes are a fantastic way to keep track of what has to be done. They also come in handy when creating fillable forms and surveys. Regardless of what you’re using the checkboxes for, creating a document that contains them doesn’t have to be a hassle, especially if you’re a Microsoft Word user. Despite the limitations that come with the Microsoft Word mobile app, you can use workarounds to create seamless checkboxes every time.

Have you tried inserting a checkbox into your word document using your laptop? Have you tried the same thing using the Word app? Please let us know in the comments section below.