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.
Typing the en dash. In Mac OS X, an en dash can be rendered very simply by holding the option key down and typing a hyphen. Under Microsoft Word’s default settings, an en dash is automatically rendered by typing one or two spaced hyphens.
Jul 19, 2016 In this short video tutorial, Microsoft MVP Heather Ackmann discusses the differences between the hyphen, en dash, and em dash, as well as how to insert these different symbols in Microsoft Word.
Apr 10, 2019 Fortunately, there are three easy methods: Press Ctrl+ Alt+. You must use the minus sign (-) on the numeric keypad; if you use the hyphen character on the alphanumeric keypad, Word will change the cursor. Hold down the Alt key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad. Choose Symbol.
If 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:
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.
Note
Num 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.
Note
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:
How To Type En Dash Word
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.
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.
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
See our Em dash and En dash definitions for further information and related links.
An en dash or en rule (–)is wider than a hyphen (-) and narrower than an em dash (–). The en dash is neglected by many writers except as a substitute for an em dash, and even then it is increasingly replaced with a hyphen to mark a pause or parenthesis, especially online and, less commonly, in print journalism. Among British and Australasian publishers, it is preferred to the em dash, although style guides differ.
The en dash has several common uses.
1. En dashes stand in for versus—for example:
the Obama–McCain debate
the Chargers–Broncos game
2. An en dash shows range—for example:
40–50 people
En Dash Microsoft Word
2–3 weeks
Em Dash Microsoft Word
3. An en dash is used to link the terminal points on a route—for example:
The London–New York flight.
4. It signals a partnership or pairing where both parts are equal—for example:
The Smith–Jones paper
Note that an en dash can alter the meaning markedly. For example, the Spanish-American War (i.e., the war that took place in Spanish America) is different from the Spanish–American War (i.e., the war between Spain and America).
Typing the en dash
In Mac OS X, an en dash can be rendered very simply by holding the option key down and typing a hyphen.
Under Microsoft Word’s default settings, an en dash is automatically rendered by typing one or two spaced hyphens. Alternatively, you can create an en dash by holding down the control key and typing a hyphen on the numeric keypad, if you have one.
Sometimes, especially online, writers will simply substitute a dash with two hyphens with a space on each side.