How to Type the Okina Symbol ( ʻ ) in Word

Looking for the apostrophe-like character that makes Hawaiian words look, sound and search right? Find out here how to use the Hawaiian okina “apostrophe” symbol ( ʻ ) in Word for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and the web.

First, What Rock Orbits the Sun and the Earth?

Which is the rock that orbits both the earth and the sun? It’s (469219) 2016 HO₃, of course (other than the moon and a few natural objects more).

Near-earth object 469219 2016 HO₃ orbits the sun every 365 days and will circle the earth on a somewhat strange “orbit” for some hundred years to come.

Want to talk about that interesting rock with more palatable a name? Fortunately, it already has one: kamoʻoalewa.

Now, let’s find out how to type that Hawaiian glottal stop in the pretty name’s middle:

How to Type the Okina Symbol (Hawaiian Apostrophe ʻ) in Word

Using Word for Windows Unicode Input (Swift for Occasional Use)

Using the Word for Windows Symbols Dialog

To find and insert the Hawaiian okina character using the Symbols dialog in Word for Windows:

1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
2. Select Symbols | More Symbols… from the ribbon.
3. Now type 02BB under Character code:.
   Find the character: You can, of course, also hunt for and highlight the okina visually, in the Spacing Modifier Letters section; it comes immediately after Modifier Letter Double Prime.
4. Click Insert.

In the Word for Mac Symbol dialog, looking for an inserting an okina is altogether impractical.

Using AutoCorrect to Insert the Hawaiian Okina Apostrophe (Word for Windows and Mac)

To set up typing the ʻokina with speed and ease using text replacement in both Word for Mac and Word for Windows:

1. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
2. Word for Windows: Select Symbols | More Symbols… in the ribbon
   Word for Mac: Select Advanced Symbol in the ribbon.
3. Click AutoCorrect….
4. Type the shortcut you want Word re replace with the okina character automatically under Replace:.
   Example: Two opening single quotes or apostrophes in succession (‘‘) work well, for instance.
5. Now enter the okina Hawaiian apostrophe under With:.
   Paste it: It’s usually easiest to copy the character from below and paste it.
6. Click Add.
7. Close the options and symbol windows.

Now, to insert an okina anywhere (including, naturally inside a word)

1. Type the character you have set up to be auto-corrected to be an okina.
2. Press Space.
   Why whitespace: The whitespace character will not be inserted, but it makes sure your shortcut is not applied to the following character—which could happen with dead keys, for example.

How to Type the Okina Symbol in Word: FAQ

How can I use an okina in Word Online?

Word online does not itself include a shortcut or way to insert an okina. You can, however, resort to one of the following:

• Use the operating system to insert the character:
  How to Insert the Hawaiian Okina Character ( ʻ ) on a Mac
  How to Insert a Hawaiian Okina Character with Windows
• Insert the okina character using copying and pasting (see below).

Can I copy and paste the okina character in Word?

Yes.

To insert the ʻokina using copy and paste in Word for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android as well as Word Online:

1. Copy the character to your clipboard using the button below.
   copy okina
2. Paste the okina where desired.
   No formatting: The copied character is plain text only and does not include any formatting; it should blend in with the text’s own formatting.

How can I use the okina character in LaTeX?

Using XeTeX, you can insert the okina as a Unicode character with the operating system’s input or, of course, copying and pasting.

LaTeX itself typically lacks support for the character in its fonts, and there is no easy way to input it.

You can, however, slightly modify the opening single quote character to make it look proper and use as a substitute.

(How to use the Hawaiian ʻokina apostrophe symbol tested with Word for Windows Version 2403 and Word for Mac; first published February 2022, last updated April 2024)