Em Dash Microsoft Word Mac
Using the AutoFormat feature in Microsoft Word, you can create both an Em dash (—) and En dash (–) automatically by typing hyphens. Alternatively, you can insert these special characters using the Insert Symbol menu. You can also copy and paste the dashes from another document, such as a web page, into your Word document.
Admittedly, Mac makes it easier to use em- and en-dashes than Windows. There’s a pretty simple shortcut which works on laptops and desktop macOS systems by default. To type an en-dash, you’ll need. Jan 09, 2020 If you use Microsoft Word, hold down “Control” and press the dash key on the number keypad to create an en dash, which is typically used to separate numbers. The em dash, which is used to break up sentences in a similar way to parentheses, can be made by holding down the “Control” and “Alt” keys, and pressing the dash key. Em dash: — En dash: – Copy it. (Press Ctrl - C, or ⌘ - C on a Mac). In your Word document, place the text cursor where you'd like the dash to go, and paste it. (Press Ctrl - V, or ⌘ - V on a Mac). Depending on the type of work you do on your Mac, an em dash may be a symbol you need frequently or rarely at all. As with many symbols, there are two ways to get an em dash, or its shorter cousin the en dash, to appear on a page: by using a keyboard shortcut or the Special Character panel. You can have Word hyphenate your text automatically as you type your text, or later, in one pass. You can also use manual hyphenation to have Word make hyphenation suggestions. Automatic hyphenation is quicker and easier, although manual hyphenation provides more control. Do any of the following. Mar 26, 2020 Do you know the difference between an em dash, an en dash, and a hyphen? And when you’re in the middle of writing your latest masterpiece, do you know how to type an em dash when it’s just the thing to make a phrase stand out more? It doesn’t help that, while hyphens get a prime spot on the PC keyboard, the en dash and em dash are nowhere in sight. But they’re worth a few extra steps.
TipIf AutoFormat is not enabled in your copy of Microsoft Word, see: How to enable and disable Microsoft Word AutoFormat feature.
Insert an Em dash using AutoFormat
If you do the following, AutoFormat will insert an Em dash (—) as you type.
In a Word document:
- Type a word, with no space after it.
- Type two hyphens, with no space between or after them.
- Type another word.
- Type a space.
For example, typing:
Something--Something(space)
Will automatically format the line as:
Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver for windows. Something—Something
When you press the spacebar after typing the example text above.
Insert an En dash using AutoFormat
If you do the following, AutoFormat will insert an En dash (–) as you type.
In a Word document:
- Type a word, with a space after it.
- Type a single hyphen, with a space after it.
- Type another word.
- Type a space.
For example, typing:
1993(space)-(space)1995(space)
Automatically format the line to:
1993 – 1995
When you press the spacebar after typing the example text above.
Insert an Em or En dash using shortcut keys
To create an Em dash, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl+Alt+minus.
To create an En dash, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl+minus.
NoteNum Lock must be enabled and you need to use the minus key located on the numeric keypad.
Insert an Em or En dash using the Symbol menu
You can also insert a special dash using the Insert Symbol menu:
- In a Microsoft Word document, choose Insert in the Menu bar.
- Choose Symbol.
- Choose More Symbols.
- Click the characters you'd like to insert. The Em dash should be on the second row. To insert multiple characters, click them one at a time.
- When you're finished, click Close to close the special characters window.
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If the En dash is not offered in your Symbol menu, you can still use another method to insert it.
Insert an Em or En dash using copy and paste
If all else fails, copy and paste the dash from another document, such as this page.
- Highlight the dash you want to insert:
Em dash: —
En dash: –
- Copy it. (Press Ctrl-C, or ⌘-C on a Mac)
- In your Word document, place the text cursor where you'd like the dash to go, and paste it. (Press Ctrl-V, or ⌘-V on a Mac)
Remove an Em or En dash
If your Word document has an Em dash or En dash and you want to remove it, do one of the following.
Em Dash Microsoft Word
- Highlight the Em dash or En dash using your mouse, then press the Delete key.
- Place the text cursor after the Em dash or En dash, then press the Backspace key.
Dash For Macos
If you want to replace the Em dash or En dash with a normal hyphen, type the hyphen after removing the Em or En dash.
Additional information
Em Dash Word Mac
- See our Em dash and En dash definitions for further information and related links.