How to place a major dash. Dashes: only dashes, minuses and hyphens

When writing various kinds of articles in MS Word, it often becomes necessary to put an em dash between words, and not just a dash (hyphen). Speaking of the latter, everyone knows perfectly well where this symbol is located on the keyboard - this is the right numeric block and the top row with numbers. But the strict rules put forward for texts (especially if it is a coursework, essay, important documentation) require the correct use of signs: a dash between words, a hyphen in words that are written together, if you can call it that.

Before you figure out how to make an em dash in Word, it wouldn’t hurt to tell you that there are three types of dashes - electronic (the shortest, this is a hyphen), middle and long. It is the latter that we will talk about below.

Microsoft Word automatically replaces a hyphen with a dash in some cases. Often, autocorrection, which occurs on the go, directly while typing, is quite enough to write text correctly.

For example, you type the following in the text: “The em dash is”. As soon as you put a space after the word that comes immediately after the dash symbol (in our case this is the word "This") the hyphen between these words changes to an em dash. In this case, there must be a space between the word and the hyphen, on both sides.

If a hyphen is used in a word (for example, "someone"), there are no spaces before or before it, then it, of course, cannot be replaced with an em dash.

Note: The dash that is placed in Word when autocorrecting is not long ( - ), and the average ( – ). This fully complies with the rules of writing text.

Hexadecimal codes

In some cases, as well as in some versions of Word, automatic replacement of a hyphen with an em dash does not occur. In this case, you can and should put a dash yourself, using a certain set of numbers and a combination of hot keys.

1. In the place where you need to put an em dash, enter the numbers “2014” without quotes.

2. Press the key combination “Alt+X”(the cursor should be located immediately after the entered numbers).

3. The number combination you entered will be automatically replaced with an em dash.

Advice: To make a shorter dash, enter numbers “2013” (it is this dash that is installed during autocorrection, which we wrote about above). To add a hyphen you can enter “2012” . After entering any hexadecimal code, simply press “Alt+X”.

Inserting symbols

You can also insert an em dash in Word using the mouse by selecting the corresponding symbol from the program’s built-in set.

1. Place the cursor at the place in the text where the em dash should be.

2. Switch to the tab "Insert" and click on the button “Symbols”, located in the group of the same name.

3. From the drop-down menu, select “Other symbols”.

4. In the window that appears, find a dash of suitable length.

Advice: To avoid searching for the required symbol for a long time, just go to the tab “Special signs”. Find the em dash there, click on it, and then click on the button "Insert".

5. An em dash will appear in the text.

Hotkey combinations

If your keyboard has a number key block, you can use it to insert an em dash:

1. Turn off the mode "NumLock" by pressing the corresponding key.

2. Place the cursor in the place where you want to place the em dash.

3. Press the keys “Alt+Ctrl” And “-” on the numeric keypad.

Advice: To shorten the dash, click "Ctrl" And “-” .

Universal method

The last method of adding an em dash to text is universal and can be used not only in Microsoft Word, but also in most HTML editors.

1. Place the cursor in the place where you want to place the em dash.

2. Hold down the key "Alt" and enter the numbers “0151” without quotes.

3. Release the key "Alt".

4. An em dash will appear in the text.

That's all, now you know exactly how to put an em dash in Word. It is up to you to decide which method to use for these purposes. The main thing is that it is convenient and efficient. We wish you high productivity in your work and only positive results.

Typically, users do not often ask this question. There is a hyphen on the keyboard that helps get out of this situation. But you won’t be able to set an en dash or em dash by pressing one button on the keyboard.

I'm sure you noticed that when you type a word, put a space after it, then a hyphen, then a space again and continue typing, Word automatically replaces the hyphen with an em dash.

If the correct formatting of the text is important to you, say, when you are printing a report or diploma, then let’s look at various ways that will help you make an en dash or em dash in MS Word.

Method one - let's use hexadecimal code. Everything is very simple here. Type the combination of numbers “2013” ​​and press “Alt+X” – insert an en dash; Type “2014” and press “Alt+X” – em dash.

Method two - keyboard shortcut. You can use a keyboard shortcut to insert a dash in a Word document. For an en dash, press “Ctrl+-”, for a long dash – “Ctrl+Alt+-”. Use the "-" sign, which is located on the right side of the numeric keypad. Please note, "NumLock" must be enabled.

Method three - use special code. It can be used to place an em dash in a document. Hold down the "Alt" key and type "0151". Enter numbers on the numeric keypad, which is located on the right, with NumLock turned on.

Method four – let's use insert. To do this, go to the “Insert” tab, click on the “Symbol” button and select the item from the menu "Other symbols".

The “Symbol” window will open. In the "Font" field, select from the drop-down list "(plain text)", in the “Set” field – "punctuation marks". Here you will find different types of dashes. Select what you need and press the “Insert” button. Pay attention to the keyboard shortcut that allows you to add the selected dash to the text - we looked at this method first.

Method five - configure settings for autocorrect. Open the “Symbol” window, as described in the paragraph above, select the desired dash - I’ll show you with an em dash as an example - and click the “AutoCorrect” button.

Now in the “replace” field I put three hyphens in a row, in the “to” field there is already the selected em dash. Click Add so that the three-hyphen replacement is in the AutoCorrect list, then OK.

Please note that the hyphen is located above the letters on the keyboard. If you want, you can set up autocorrect for the minus sign found on the numeric keypad in the same way.

Now, when you enter three hyphens in a row, an em dash will be inserted into the text. Do this for any other type of dash. You can replace not only hyphens, but also various combinations of letters and numbers. For example, replace “kd” with a short hyphen.

Remember the necessary keyboard shortcuts, or configure autocorrect settings that are convenient for you. After all, you can put a hyphen, en dash or em dash in a Word document without any problems, using a method convenient for you.

There are three different spellings for the dash sign. They differ in length, according to the spelling rules of some countries; there is a separate rule for the production of a particular one. There is no such thing in our rules, but despite this, it is possible to write any of them in the Word text editor. Let's look at options for using em dashes in the MO Word editor. We will need:

— Personal computer;

Instructions

1. The MO Word text editor has a function to automatically replace a standard dash with an em dash. Replacing a single dash should be done automatically after you finish typing the word following this character. Also, to perform this function, a standard dash must be separated on both sides by spaces.
2. You can also use a combination of “hot keys” to set an em dash. Typically, this method is used to insert a dash in already typed text, or if for some reason the autocorrect option does not work. To write an em dash:

• Place the cursor at the required location;
• Press the key combination Ctrl + “minus” (minus is pressed on the numeric keypad).

To add an even longer dash, use the Ctrl+Alt+ “minus” button combination. If you do not have the ability to enter on a numeric keyboard, use the program settings and set a different key combination for this operation.

3. Another way to write an em dash is to enter a special hexadecimal code for this character. Enter the code 2014 in the place where you want to put a dash and create the Alt+X key combination. The code characters will be replaced with an em dash. To make a middle dash appear in your document, use code 2013. There is also an “electronic dash”; according to the writing rules, it is located slightly higher than the middle dash, but in the Word editor it is displayed no different from the middle one. To enter it, use the code 2012.

4. You can also add a dash sign without using a computer keyboard; to do this, you need to follow these steps.

The correct use of hyphens and dashes often creates confusion among writers, typesetters, and printers. This question, sooner or later, concerns every person - we write and read, and the incorrect use of these punctuation marks makes the text ugly and distorts the semantic load embedded in it. The answer to the question of what a hyphen and a dash are, the difference in their spelling and the visual difference between the signs will help everyone use the unique Russian language more competently.

Hyphen: em dash

The function of the hyphen is dividing a word into parts. Graphically, this spelling sign is approximately 3 times shorter than a dash.

How to correctly use a hyphen in Russian, voluminous and full of exceptions rules that boil down to to list many special cases:

Other uses of the hyphen:

• Writing parts of words in linguistic texts. For example: prefix at-, ending - ut.
• Identification of important parts or syllables of a word: application.
• In fiction stories, the importance of the word spoken by the hero is indicated: “ Attention, I say again pay attention...».

When is a dash placed in a sentence?

The use of a dash in sentences, just like a hyphen, has its own punctuation rules. Along with the use of a comma in the text, which is often mistakenly placed in the wrong places, The use of a dash has the following features:

The table above describes cases that most common when using a dash in Russian.

This sign is also used:

• After conjunctions, to express surprise: Lay down in bed and instantly fell asleep.
• Between homogeneous members: Who's great - I'm great!
• Notation of direct speech dialogues : “Yes, I agree with you,” said Lenin.

How to put a hyphen in Word?

Almost all users working with the Windows operating system use Word or OpenOffice text editors to type.

Let's look at how to put a hyphen in the text in the first option:

• Hyphen. There is only one symbol on the keyboard, indicating a “dash”. It is located above the letters “Z” and “X”, to the right of the number “0”. Many people do not understand its true meaning and often use this sign as a minus, dash, hyphen, or hyphen. In fact, this symbol, due to its size, stands below the minus and hyphen. How is it usually used? For a dash they put two - three hyphen contract. It’s ugly, but if there is no technical possibility, this will do.
• Non-breaking hyphen. We found out that to denote in the document hyphen use symbol defosominus(-) or, as people say, the minus sign. But there is a simple way that few people know about - using special keys to create a non-breaking hyphen (dash). What needs to be done for this? Press combination Ctrl+"minus". Please note: the keyboard layout must be in English and the minus sign must be pressed on the numeric keypad on the right.

How to put a dash in Word?

Anyone who believes that using a dash, a minus and a hyphen can solve all punctuation problems in Word is greatly mistaken. But more on that below. Now let's talk about the dash and how it can be placed in Word.

There are two types of dashes:

1. Em dash - used in Russian typography.
2. The en dash, also called the “middle” dash, is used in Western typography.

Likewise, there are three ways (the third is the easiest) to insert a dash into text:

• Inserting a dash using a character bet.

1. Place the cursor in the place where you need to put the dash sign:
2. Select a menu item Tab. In the tab we look for the inscription Symbol.
3. In the window that appears, select the button Other characters, look for the em dash and click Insert.

• Inserting a dash using special key combinations:

1. Em dash. Press the ALT key and type 0151 in the number pad of the Numpad keyboard on the right and release Alt.
2. En dash. Similar to the previous point, type ALT+0150. In both cases, the keyboard layout must be set to English.

• Automatic program insert, enabled by default in all versions:

1. We write a word.
2. Press spacebar.
3. Put a minus sign (em dash)
4. Press spacebar again.
5. We write the next word.
6. We press the key again and after that the dash turns into a hyphen.

Practice: em dash or em dash

What's in practice? The reality is that about 95% of users use the short (Western) version as a dash. This is connected with two features:

1. Appearance. The domestic version seems very long to many and constantly catches the eye.
2. Automatic replacement. Special key combinations are good. But not everyone knows about them, and who knows - the introduction of symbols is long and thankless. On the other hand, after the user enters a hyphen, makes a space and writes the following words: the symbol is automatically replaced with an em dash.

9 types of horizontal lines

Let's consider all the horizontal lines existing in the typography, from the shortest hyphen to the longest - horizontal line.

1. Hyphen. The shortest, used as a hyphen or minus.
2. Hyphen. To divide words into parts.
3. Minus. In mathematical expressions.
4. Digital dash. For example, to record a telephone number.
5. Transfer. Moves a word to the next line.
6. List marker. Used in unnumbered lists.
7. En dash. The standard dash used throughout the world.
8. Em dash. Russian standard dash.
9. Horizontal line. An analogue of the em dash, which is used in the West in dialogues.

Now, when typing complex text or when designing a holiday card, no one should have difficulty using symbols such as hyphens and dashes. The difference is obvious: a hyphen acts as a spelling sign and is placed in the middle of a phrase, a dash is a punctual sign that is placed between words.

Video lesson: how to distinguish a hyphen from a dash?

In this video, Eduard Krasnov will conduct a short educational program to teach you how to distinguish a hyphen from a dash:

Typically, users do not often ask this question. There is a hyphen on the keyboard that helps get out of this situation. But you won’t be able to set an en dash or em dash by pressing one button on the keyboard.

I'm sure you noticed that when you type a word, put a space after it, then a hyphen, then a space again and continue typing, Word automatically replaces the hyphen with an em dash.

If the correct formatting of the text is important to you, say, when you are printing a report or diploma, then let’s look at various ways that will help you make an en dash or em dash in MS Word.

Method one - let's use hexadecimal code. Everything is very simple here. Type the combination of numbers “2013” ​​and press “Alt+X” – insert an en dash; Type “2014” and press “Alt+X” – em dash.

Method two - keyboard shortcut. You can use a keyboard shortcut to insert a dash in a Word document. For an en dash, press “Ctrl+-”, for a long dash – “Ctrl+Alt+-”. Use the "-" sign, which is located on the right side of the numeric keypad. Please note, "NumLock" must be enabled.

Method three - use special code. It can be used to place an em dash in a document. Hold down the "Alt" key and type "0151". Enter numbers on the numeric keypad, which is located on the right, with NumLock turned on.

Method four – let's use insert. To do this, go to the “Insert” tab, click on the “Symbol” button and select the item from the menu "Other symbols".

The “Symbol” window will open. In the "Font" field, select from the drop-down list "(plain text)", in the “Set” field – "punctuation marks". Here you will find different types of dashes. Select what you need and press the “Insert” button. Pay attention to the keyboard shortcut that allows you to add the selected dash to the text - we looked at this method first.

Method five - configure settings for autocorrect. Open the “Symbol” window, as described in the paragraph above, select the desired dash - I’ll show you with an em dash as an example - and click the “AutoCorrect” button.

Now in the “replace” field I put three hyphens in a row, in the “to” field there is already the selected em dash. Click Add so that the three-hyphen replacement is in the AutoCorrect list, then OK.

Please note that the hyphen is located above the letters on the keyboard. If you want, you can set up autocorrect for the minus sign found on the numeric keypad in the same way.

Now, when you enter three hyphens in a row, an em dash will be inserted into the text. Do this for any other type of dash. You can replace not only hyphens, but also various combinations of letters and numbers. For example, replace “kd” with a short hyphen.

Remember the necessary keyboard shortcuts, or configure autocorrect settings that are convenient for you. After all, you can put a hyphen, en dash or em dash in a Word document without any problems, using a method convenient for you.