How to make an em dash in Word?

In fact, not every user asks this question. After all, the keyboard already has a “dash” sign, and sometimes it doesn’t make much difference whether it is long or short. However, the character found on the keyboard is a hyphen. Dash - a little longer, the user will not be able to put it from the keyboard. That is why, today we will analyze how to make an em dash in Word.

To begin with, we will tell you that there are three different dash options in the Word. It is long, medium and so-called "electronic". Each of them is used in certain cases. There are even more ways to set them - at least five options. We will tell you about the most popular of them in detail. You also need to choose the most convenient for your use.

How to make an em dash in Word: use autocorrect

This is the first and fairly simple way to create an em dash in a Word document. The Word program allows you to use autocorrect. It works when you put a hyphen in the text, and then a space. That's when the hyphen will be automatically replaced by a dash.

AutoCorrect works when there are spaces before and after the hyphen. However, in some words, automatic replacement does not work. For example, in a word like "somewhere", or "somehow".

How to make an em dash in Word: use hex codes

But if the Word program does not automatically replace, then an em dash can be put using a combination of some keys and dialed numbers. Which ones?

To do this, the user needs to type in the document, in the place where there should be an em dash, the number 2014. Next, you need to press a combination of two keys on the keyboard: alt + x (x). After that, the typed digit 2014 should be replaced by an em dash. But if you enter the number 2013, then the dash will be shorter. 2012 is even shorter.

The third way to insert a dash in a Word document

This method is suitable for absolutely any text editors, including the Word program of absolutely any version: 2003, 2007, 2013 and newer versions. What is required from the user of the program in this case?

1. To get started, hold down the Alt key, then type the numbers 0151 on the keyboard.
2. Release the key.
3. The em dash will appear in the document.

Also, the user will be able to use the so-called "hot keys" in the production of an em dash. To do this, he needs to press the key combination Ctrl and the minus sign. Another key combination is Ctrl, Alt, and a big dash.

Another way to insert an em dash

This method can be attributed to the list of the most popular and most frequently used. In it, the user uses the Word menu "Insert Symbol". First, he must find on the toolbar a section called "Insert", then find the "Symbol" section. If you click on it, a tab will appear on the screen. It is on it that you need to select the section called "Other symbols". A window will open in front of the user, where a lot of characters will be presented. The em dash we need is in the Special Characters section. It is enough to select it, and then click the "Insert" button. If everything is done correctly, then the sign will appear in the document automatically.

In this article, we will look at several ways how to make an em dash in word. It is important to note that the above several ways to set an em dash in Word are suitable for almost any version of a text program. What is the best way to use? It all depends on each user. For some, it is best to set the autocorrect option and forget about setting em dashes in the document on your own, for some, the most convenient way is to use a hexadecimal code. Which way to give preference - everyone decides individually.