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How to insert symbols and special characters

Tekla Structures FAQ Special Character ≤ ≥ ± symbol
Not version-specific
Tekla Structures
Environment
Not environment-specific

Question:
How can I insert special characters ± ≤ ≥ or other symbols into a text in drawings?

Answer:
To insert a new symbol or a special character into a text in drawings, you first need to create the new symbol or character in Symbol Editor. After that you can add it in your text.

  1. To open Symbol Editor, open the File menu and select Editors > Symbol editor.
  2. Open an existing symbol file or create a new symbol file.

  3. Draw the ±, ≤, and ≥ symbols in the free cell area and remember the cell numbers. 

    Image
    Symbol Editor having xteel.sym file open and edited
  4. Save the symbol file.
  5. Restart Tekla Structures.
  6. Open the drawing and enter the required text together with the new symbol in the following format:
    <symbol_file_name>@<cell_number>
    Example: xsteel@6
Image
Use format xsteel@6 format in text properties to get the symbol

 

In marks and associative notes you can select the symbol more easily from the available elements:

Image
Select the symbol from the list, then symbol file xteel


Use keyboard shortcuts to create symbols

You can also use the following keyboard shortcuts for the following symbols:

  • Alt+0177 for ± (Plus-minus)
  • Alt+0176 for ° (Degree)
  • Alt+0216 for Ø (Diameter)
  • Alt+0248 for ø (Diameter with small letters)
  • Alt+0178 for ² (Power of 2)
  • Alt+0179 for ³ (Power of 3)

For more tips on using shortcuts, see this Microsoft article: Insert ASCII or Unicode Latin-based symbols and characters

Use special font

You can also use special Creek font named Symbol. For example a-key to create alpha, b to beta, g to gamma.

Image
alpha, beeta and gamma written with symbol font
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