Map Properties for Points - Point Symbol

In the point symbol tab, you can set how you want the points to look by specifying their shape. If you want to specify something other than single symbol for all of the points in your dataset, you need to choose a dataset to use for grouping points.  After you've chosen a dataset, you can either see classified or qualitative symbols, depending on your data type. Note that you can use a different dataset for in the point color, size, and symbol dialogs, allowing you to show characteristics of more than one dataset (from the same geography) in a single map.

A box in the lower right allows you to choose a different symbol for missing values in your dataset (the default is an "X").  

Choose "Preview" to view your selections to the map (don't close the properties dialog), then choose "OK" to apply your changes and close the dialog. If you press "Cancel" after "Preview" your changes will not be saved.

Click on tabs and boxes in the image below for more information.

For single symbol, you can change the symbol for all points from the menu (below). For classified or qualitative symbols, you can accept the default choices or customize the look of each class in your scheme by left clicking in the box for each symbol.