How To Use Dashes In Word
The en dash may also be used to indicate a connection between two words.
How to use dashes in word. Insert en dashes in word using special characters. This will insert the em dash symbol into your word document. A hyphen is a punctuation mark that s used to join words or parts of words. Use a hyphen in a compound modifier when the modifier comes before the word it s modifying. Word will automatically convert the hyphen into an en dash.
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. If you use the hyphen character on the alphanumeric keypad word will change the cursor. The hyphen the shortest is used to join multiple words that function together as a single concept a k a. Hold down the alt key and type 0151 on the numeric. The differences might appear subtle but their usages are distinct.
The above shortcuts are all valid ways you can use to type the em dash in word. Similar to en dash word will always split the word preceding the em dash to next line. If you are looking to use a two word phrase as a descriptor or modifier you can use an en dash. When the dash is used in this way it creates a compound adjective. To insert the en dash.
You can type em dash by pressing control alt keys and in the numeric pad. Use a two word phrase as a modifier. The en dash a hyphen with a growth spurt is used to represent the words to or through when specifying a range. Use an en dash when you need to connect terms that are already hyphenated or when you are using a two word phrase as a modifier. It s not interchangeable with other types of dashes.
See the following examples. When you use autocorrect options you can also click stop automatically creating dashes or click control autocorrect options to open the autocorrect dialog box. If you are on mac below is a shortcut to help you type the em dash sign in word. Move the cursor to the position in the document where you want the en dash. Em dash shortcut 3 mac.