Posted on April 25, 2022 (Updated on July 25, 2025)

How do you type a plus or minus symbol in Revit?

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Typing the Plus or Minus Symbol in Revit: A Human’s Guide

Okay, so you’re wrestling with Revit and need to throw in a plus or minus symbol, huh? It’s one of those things that seems like it should be simple, but BIM software can be quirky. Revit, as powerful as it is, doesn’t always make it obvious how to insert special characters. But don’t sweat it! I’m here to walk you through the easiest ways to get that little ± symbol into your documentation, making everything look shipshape.

Method 1: Good Ol’ Character Map

This is your rock-solid, always-works option. Think of Character Map as a hidden treasure chest in Windows. Here’s the drill:

  • Summon Character Map: Just type “charmap” into your Windows search bar or hit Windows key + R and type “charmap” there. Boom, it appears!
  • Hunt for the Symbol: Now, you might need to play around with the font selection to find our elusive friend, the ± symbol. Arial’s usually a safe bet.
  • Copy-Paste Magic: Click on that symbol, hit “Select,” then “Copy.” It’s now chilling on your clipboard, ready for action.
  • Revit Time: Jump back into Revit, get your text note or dimension string ready, and paste that bad boy in (Ctrl+V). Done!

    • Method 2: ALT Codes – If You’re Feeling Old School

    Got a numeric keypad and a hankering for keyboard shortcuts? ALT codes are your jam.

  • Num Lock On: Gotta make sure that Num Lock is glowing. No keypad, no worky!
  • ALT Hold: Press and hold that ALT key. This is key (pun intended!).
  • Code Input: While ALT is down, punch in “0177” on the numeric keypad.
  • Release and Behold: Let go of ALT, and poof, the ± symbol should materialize.

    • Word to the wise: The numbers across the top of your keyboard? Yeah, they won’t work for this. It’s gotta be the numeric keypad. Trust me, I’ve been there, pulling my hair out.

    Method 3: The Internet – Your Quick Fix

    Need it now? Just grab it from the web.

  • Google It: Search for “plus or minus symbol.” The internet is your friend.
  • Snag It: Copy that symbol from whatever website pops up.
  • Paste and Go: Head back to Revit and paste it in. Bam!

    • Method 4: Emoji Keyboard – Windows 10 and Beyond

    If you’re rocking a newer version of Windows, you’ve got the emoji keyboard at your disposal. It’s not just for smiley faces, you know!

  • Emoji Time: Hit Windows key + period (.) or Windows key + semicolon (;). The keyboard pops up.
  • Symbol Search: Dig around in the symbols section (usually a little omega symbol or something similar).
  • Click and Insert: Find the ± symbol and click it. It’ll drop right into your Revit text.

    • Level Elevations: Getting Fancy with Plus/Minus

    Want Revit to automatically pop in a plus or minus before your level elevations? This is where things get a little more advanced, but it’s totally doable. We’re diving into the Family Editor!

  • Family Time: Open up the level head family in the Family Editor.
  • Label Edit: Select that elevation label and hit “Edit Label.”
  • Parameter Magic: Create a new parameter – call it “PlusMinus” or whatever you like. Set the discipline to “Common” and the type to “Text.”
  • Formula Fun: This is where the brains come in. Use an IF statement to decide whether to show a “+” or “-” based on the elevation. Something like: IF (Elevation > 0, “+”, “-“). If you want the ± symbol to show at zero elevation, try this: IF (Elevation = 0, “±”, “”). You might need to copy that ± symbol from Character Map and paste it into the formula.
  • Load It Up: Load that modified family back into your project.

    • Keep in Mind…

    • Font Matters: Make sure your font actually has the ± symbol. Otherwise, you’ll get a weird box or something.
    • Stay Consistent: Pick a method and stick with it. Consistency is key to professional-looking documentation.
    • API Power: If you’re a coding whiz, the Revit API lets you do all sorts of crazy things with text formatting. But that’s a whole different ballgame!

    So there you have it! A bunch of ways to wrangle that plus or minus symbol in Revit. Go forth and document with confidence!

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