Adding symbols in Windows Vista requires use of the character map. The idea is that you select the character you want in the character map and copy the image to the clipboard, and then you paste the character into whatever application you are suing (e.g. word, excel, fireworks, etc.)
Note that if you are using a Microsoft Office program such as Word or Excel, you can insert a bullet (or other symbol) in these programs using the character map as described below, or by using the programs’ built in “Insert Symbol” feature. See this post to learn how to insert a bullet or other character in Word.
1. Let’s first open the character map. Head to Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Character Map.
2. With the Character Map open, you will now select the character you want to use. You will probably have to navigate to the “Symbol” character set/font by clicking the down arrow at the top of the dialog box (right next to the help button in the image below).
Once you have selected symbol you will see the symbol character set (as shown in the image below). Find the symbol you’d like to use. In this example we chose the bullet. Click on the bullet and then hit the select button. You will then see the bullet symbol appear in the “Characters to copy” box.
3. Then click the Copy button. You can then switch to whatever application you wish to use the bullet in and use the paste feature in that application.