I'm trying to write instructions for playing a card game and need to use the clubs, diamonds, hearts and spades symbols in my sentences. How can I do this?

Those symbols are available via Insert|Symbol. Choose from 'normal text' font with the 'miscellaneous symbols' sub-set.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Thanks Paul. I tried to follow your advice but there is no Miscellaneous symbols sub set. I looked through all the symbols and couldn't find what I need anywhere.

It works for me. Did you make sure you had the 'normal text' font selected in the left panel? It's the top one in that dropdown. With that, the 'miscellaneous symbols' sub-set is the second-last one listed in the right-hand dropdown.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Yes I have Normal Text but there is no miscellaneous symbols selection. The second from the bottom on my system is "combining half marks" I actually scanned through all the symbols and couldn't find the ones I need. I've been told that they may be in Windows 7's symbols. Any ideas?

OK, what you see in the dropdown depends on what font you have active. Sometimes the 'miscellaneous symbols' sub-set is only about half-way down the list, owing to some fonts supporting a wider range of characters.

Try it this way. Type any of the following number strings then press Alt-x:
2660 = ♠
2663 = ♣
2665 = ♥
2666 = ♦
If you then select any of those symbols and choose Insert|Symbol, you'll find where the 'miscellaneous symbols' sub-set is for whatever font you're using.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Just as a comment, I have the sub-set as Miscellaneous Dingbats. Try the Alt-X. It should work as AFAIK Dingbats are still normally with Word. If you use them a lot you may want to use a keyboard shortcut for them.

Thanks for the help. I have what I need now.