Find the atomic number of the element
Determine the total number of electrons
Fill orbitals in order of increasing energy
Use the Aufbau principle
Use the Pauli exclusion principle
Use Hund’s rule
Follow the orbital filling order: 1s, 2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, 4s, 3d, 4p, 5s, 4d, 5p, 6s, 4f, 5d, 6p, 7s, 5f, 6d, 7p
Write the number of electrons in each orbital as superscripts
Check that the total electrons match the atomic number
Use noble gas shorthand if needed
For ions, add or remove electrons before writing the configuration