Block progress bar
=REPT(CHAR(9608), ROUND(C2*10,0)) fills a cell with block characters proportional to percent complete in C2.
What is CHAR in Google Sheets?
CHAR takes a number and returns the matching character from the Unicode table. Pair it with REPT or SPARKLINE to build progress bars, dividers, and icon columns without pasting symbols by hand. Better Sheets character tools preview codes before you lock a formula into production tabs.
When to use it
Use CHAR when you need repeatable symbols from numbers, custom bar charts built from block characters, or hidden markers that sorting and formulas can read.
When to skip it
Skip CHAR when a normal font glyph, emoji picker, or SPARKLINE chart type covers the job with less code. Plain text labels are easier for non-technical editors.
How it works
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Enter =CHAR(code_number) where code_number is a decimal Unicode code point.
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Combine with REPT to repeat the same character across a cell width for bar effects.
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Use UNICHAR for codes above 255 when you need full Unicode support in modern Sheets.
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Test codes in the character playground before pasting long REPT formulas into client files.
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Keep source codes in a Settings tab so designers can adjust symbols without touching logic.
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Document which codes mean what so the next editor does not treat decorative symbols as data.
Examples in Google Sheets
Section divider row
=REPT(CHAR(9472), 20) draws a horizontal rule between report sections on a dashboard tab.
Hidden sort key
A helper column uses CHAR(9679) or blank via IF so custom sort orders priority rows without visible clutter.
Build this without starting from a blank cell
Use a Better Sheets tool for CHAR, then watch a walkthrough when you want the full pattern.
Better Sheets resources
Common mistakes
- Using legacy ASCII-only codes when UNICHAR is required for emoji or extended symbols.
- Hard-coding REPT lengths that break when column width changes on different screens.
- Mixing CHAR output with fonts that do not render the glyph, showing empty boxes.
- Treating decorative symbols as numeric input for downstream SUM or VALUE formulas.
- Copying codes from blog posts without verifying they match your locale and font stack.
Frequently asked questions
- CHAR vs UNICHAR?
- CHAR handles traditional code points. UNICHAR supports full Unicode including emoji when you pass the decimal code.
- Where do I find code numbers?
- Unicode charts list decimal values. Better Sheets character playground lets you click symbols and copy codes.
- CHAR with SPARKLINE?
- Some visual patterns combine CHAR block characters with SPARKLINE for hybrid KPI rows in compact tables.
- Why does CHAR show a box?
- The font may lack that glyph or the code is invalid for CHAR. Try UNICHAR or pick a symbol the font supports.
- Can CHAR build a rating row?
- Yes with REPT and IF to repeat star or dot characters based on a score column.
- CHAR in ARRAYFORMULA?
- Yes. Wrap REPT and CHAR logic in ARRAYFORMULA to fill symbol columns for many rows at once.
- Code vs pasted symbol?
- CHAR keeps formulas portable. Pasted symbols break when fonts differ but are fine for static design rows.
- CHAR on the homepage?
- Better Sheets highlights CHAR in the character strip because symbol formulas power playful dashboards and trackers.
Related Tutorials
Watch how CHAR works
Advanced Coding in Google Sheets for Programmers
Related blog posts
Guides that explain CHAR in more depth.
Explore Coding in Google Sheets
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Read post →Related glossary terms
SPARKLINE
SPARKLINE draws a miniature chart inside one cell from a row or column of numbers. Choose line, column, bar, or winloss types and pass an options object for color, axis, and markers. Dashboard tables use sparklines to show trend without full charts.
Read guide →progress bars in cells
In-cell progress bars show completion as a mini chart inside one cell using SPARKLINE bar charts, REPT block characters, or colored bars driven by percent complete. They turn a number like 0.72 into a visual stripe readers grasp faster than raw decimals on dashboards and habit trackers.
Read guide →visual formulas in Sheets
Visual formulas are spreadsheet layouts where the formula output is meant to be seen, not just calculated: sparkline strips, emoji status icons, color scales, and REPT bars that communicate trend and health at a glance. They sit between raw numbers and full chart objects for dense dashboards.
Read guide →character playground
The character playground is a Better Sheets tool for browsing symbols, previewing CHAR and REPT patterns, and copying formulas before they land in your spreadsheet. Homepage visitors use it to explore kawaii, geometric, and utility characters without guessing Unicode codes in an empty cell.
Read guide →Done reading about CHAR?
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