Have you ever been typing up a document in Microsoft Word and needed to insert a long dash, but had no idea how to do it? It can be frustrating when you’re trying to make your writing look professional and polished but can’t figure out a simple formatting issue. Don’t worry, though – making a long dash in Word is actually quite easy once you know how!

First, let’s quickly clarify what exactly a long dash is. A long dash, also known as an em dash, is a punctuation mark that’s longer than a regular hyphen and is used to set off a clause or phrase that’s related to the rest of the sentence. It’s a handy tool for adding emphasis or indicating a break in thought, and it’s used frequently in professional writing. So, if you want to know the quick and easy method for making a long dash in Word, keep reading!

Section: How to Make a Long Dash in Word

Subheading 1: Overview of Long Dashes

The Usefulness of Long Dashes

Long dashes are commonly used in writing and are also referred to as em dashes. These dashes are longer than regular hyphens and are used to interrupt sentences or emphasize a phrase. Long dashes help to convey a clear and concise message and are essential in improving the readability and overall flow of your content.

Subheading 2: Shortcut Keys to Create a Long Dash

Easy Steps to Create a Long Dash

One of the easiest ways to create a long dash in Word is by using the shortcut keys. You can easily do this by typing two hyphens (–) and then hit the space bar, and Word will automatically convert the hyphens into a long dash. This is the fastest way to create a long dash without using special characters or menus.

Subheading 3: Using the Symbol Menu in Word

Getting Creative with the Symbol Menus

Another way to add a long dash in Word is by using the symbol menu. To do this, you should click on the Insert tab, go to Symbols, then click on More Symbols. Choose the font type and scroll through the list until you find the long dash symbol. Once you click on Insert, it will be added to your document.

Subheading 4: Shortcuts for AutoCorrect

AutoCorrect for Efficient Writing

AutoCorrect is another word processing feature that makes writing more efficient. It helps to correct common spelling errors and can also be customized to automatically replace certain text with a long dash. You can easily do this by clicking on the File tab, choose Options, then click on Proofing. Click on AutoCorrect Options and enter two hyphens and the long dash symbol as the replacement text.

Subheading 5: Customizing the AutoCorrect Feature

Customizing AutoCorrect for Better Efficiency

You can also customize the AutoCorrect feature to work for you based on the content you write. For instance, you can set AutoCorrect to apply only when you write in a particular language or only to certain types of text. You can also adjust how the feature behaves, such as the number of keystrokes before applying the replacement text.

Subheading 6: Using the Insert Tab to Create a Long Dash

Inserting a Long Dash with Ease

In addition to the symbol menu, you can also use the Insert tab to create a long dash. To do this, open your Word document, click on the Insert tab, choose the Symbols group, and click on the Special Characters option. Choose the Em Dash option and click Insert to add it to your document.

Subheading 7: Applying the Long Dash Character Style

Style Your Document with Long Dashes

In Word, you can also apply fonts and styles to your content, which includes long dashes. To do this, you can choose the long dash symbol and assign a character style. This will enable you to apply formatting, including color, spacing, and weight, to the long dash.

Subheading 8: Using the Unicode for Long Dash

Employing Unicode for Font Flexibility

Unicode is a font format that takes into account all characters for all languages and includes long dashes. To use the Unicode for long dash, you will need to press “Windows key + R” to open the Run command. Type “charmap” in the command box and press Enter. This will launch the Character Map, which you can use to choose the long dash symbol and add it to your content.

Subheading 9: Third-Party Add-ins for Long Dashes

Third-Party Tools for Better Results

There are several third-party add-ins available that can help you create and manage long dashes in Word. These tools integrate seamlessly with Word, making it easier for you to manage your content and add customized symbols and characters to your document.

Subheading 10: Tips for Creating Long Dashes

Best Practices for Effective Writing

When using long dashes in your content, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure that your writing remains clear and effective. For instance, you should limit the use of long dashes to specific situations, such as to indicate a break in thought or to provide emphasis. Additionally, you should avoid using too many long dashes, as this can make your content difficult to read and decrease its impact.

Section Two: Creating a Long Dash in Word

Now that you know why you might want to use a long dash instead of a hyphen or an en dash, let’s dive into how to create one using Microsoft Word.

1. AutoFormat

One of the easiest ways to create a long dash is to use Word’s AutoFormat feature. Simply type two hyphens (–), and Word will automatically replace them with a long dash.

2. Shortcut Key

Another shortcut to create a long dash is to use the shortcut key. On a PC, press Ctrl + Alt + – (minus sign) on the numeric keypad. On a Mac, press Option + Shift + – (hyphen).

3. Insert Symbol

You can also use Word’s “Insert Symbol” feature to find and insert the long dash symbol. Go to the “Insert” tab and select “Symbol” from the “Symbols” group. Then, choose “More Symbols.” In the Symbols dialog box, select the “Special Characters” tab and look for the long dash.

4. Copy and Paste

If you’ve already created a long dash in your document, you can simply copy and paste it wherever you need it.

5. Use AutoCorrect

Word’s AutoCorrect feature can also be set up to replace a specific word or character string with a long dash automatically. Go to “File” > “Options” > “Proofing” > “AutoCorrect Options,” and then enter the string you want to replace with a long dash.

6. Reuse a Converted Document

If you’ve converted a document from a PDF or image file, you may have long dashes already in the document. Simply reuse those long dashes by copying and pasting them.

7. AutoText

Autotext is another feature that can be used to create a long dash. Type two hyphens, then go to “Insert” > “Quick Parts” > “AutoText” > “New Building Block.” Name your AutoText and add a description if desired. Save it, and now you can insert your long dash quickly.

8. Create a Macro

For frequent use of long dashes, you can create a macro to automate the process. Go to “View” > “Macros” > “Record Macro,” then choose a name for your macro. Enter the shortcut key that you want to use to call the macro. After selecting “OK,” type your two hyphens and then add the long dash as outlined earlier. Stop recording the macro by going to “View” > “Macros” > “Stop Recording.”

9. Change Hyphenation Settings

You can also modify Word’s hyphenation settings to create a long dash. Go to “Page Layout” > “Hyphenation” > “Hyphenation Options.” In the “Hyphenation zone” field, enter a number larger than the number in the “hyphenation zone” field. This will prevent hyphenation, and two hyphens will automatically be converted to a long dash.

10. Use a Shortcut Key with AutoCorrect

Finally, you can create a shortcut key with AutoCorrect. Go to “File” > “Options” > “Proofing” > “AutoCorrect Options.” Enter the string you want to replace with a long dash in the “Replace” field. In the “With” field, type the long dash, and then click “Add.” Finally, enter the shortcut key you want to use to call that specific AutoCorrect replacement.

With these methods, creating a long dash will be a breeze. Choose the one that works best for your needs and integrates smoothly with your writing style. Happy writing!

Methods to Make a Long Dash in Word

If you’re writing a document that requires a long dash, it can be frustrating to try and figure out how to create one. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to make a long dash in Word. Here are some methods you can try:

1. Using the Hyphen Key

The simplest way to make a long dash in Word is by using the hyphen key. Press the hyphen key three times, and voila! You have a long dash. However, if you want your long dash to be consistent throughout the document, this method may not be the best choice since it can be time-consuming to add multiple dashes in a row.

2. Inserting a Symbol

Another method to make a long dash in Word is by inserting a symbol. To do this, click on the “Insert” tab, choose “Symbol,” and then “More Symbols.” Select the “Special Characters” tab and choose “En Dash” from the list. Click the “Insert” button, and you’ll have a long dash. Alternatively, you can click on the “Shortcut Key” button to assign a shortcut key to this symbol.

3. Using AutoCorrect

If you find yourself needing long dashes frequently, you can set up AutoCorrect to automatically replace a series of hyphens with an en dash. To do this, go to “File,” then “Options,” then “Proofing,” and click “AutoCorrect Options.” In the “Replace” box, enter the characters that should trigger the AutoCorrect, such as “—.” In the “With” box, enter an en dash. From now on, whenever you type “—” in your document, it will be replaced by a long dash.

4. Creating a Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer using a keyboard shortcut, you can create one for the en dash. First, choose “File,” then “Options,” followed by “Proofing.” Click on the “AutoCorrect Options” button, select the “Math AutoCorrect” tab, and check the “Use Math AutoCorrect rules outside of math regions” box. In the “Replace” box, enter “–” and in the “With” box, enter an en dash. Click “Add,” then “OK” twice. Now, whenever you type “–“, it will automatically be replaced by an en dash.

5. Using the Insert Symbol Shortcut

Another way to make a long dash in Word is by using the Insert Symbol shortcut. Press “Ctrl” and “;” keys followed by “minus sign” and then press “Enter.” The shortcut also inserts an en dash.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are multiple ways to make a long dash in Word. Whether you prefer using a keystroke method, AutoCorrect, or the Insert Symbol function, these methods will help you easily create the long dash you need for your document. With these options, you’ll no longer need to waste time trying to create a long dash manually.

Thanks for Sticking Around!

Now you know how to make a long dash in Word. It’s a simple process that you can use over and over. I hope this tip will help you in your writing, saving you time and making your work look more professional. Don’t hesitate to come back and visit for more tips and tricks. Happy writing!