How to make and write the short dash and long dash in Word with the keyboard

Learn how to make and write short and long dashes in Word with the keyboard. Say goodbye to manual inserting and start utilizing these efficient keyboard shortcuts for professional and polished documents.

How to make or write the short dash and the long dash in Word with the keyboard.Creating short dashes (en dashes) and long dashes (em dashes) in Microsoft Word using the keyboard is relatively straightforward. Here are the methods for both Windows and Mac systems:

For Windows:

1. En Dash (–): Press Ctrl and the minus key (-) on the numeric keypad at the same time.
2. Em Dash (—): Press Ctrl, Alt, and the minus key (-) on the numeric keypad simultaneously.

For Mac:

1. En Dash (–): Press Option and the minus key (-) at the same time.
2. Em Dash (—): Press Option, Shift, and the minus key (-) simultaneously.

If You Don’t Have a Numeric Keypad:

In case your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, you can use these alternative methods:

1. Insert Symbol Method:
   • Go to the “Insert” tab in Word.
   • Click on “Symbol” and then “More Symbols”.
   • Choose the en dash or em dash from the list of symbols and insert it.
2. Using Character Codes:
   • For an en dash, type 2013 then press Alt + X.
   • For an em dash, type 2014 then press Alt + X.

These methods should help you insert both en dashes and em dashes in your Word documents.

In Microsoft Word, you can create different types of dashes using keyboard shortcuts. Here’s how to do it:

1. En Dash (–): The en dash is slightly longer than a hyphen but shorter than an em dash. To create an en dash in Word:
   • On Windows, press Ctrl + - (the minus key on the numeric keypad).
   • On a Mac, press Option + - (the minus key).
2. Em Dash (—): The em dash is the longest dash and is used for a range of punctuation purposes. To create an em dash in Word:
   • On Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + - (the minus key on the numeric keypad).
   • On a Mac, press Option + Shift + - (the minus key).

If your keyboard doesn’t have a numeric keypad, you can also insert these dashes by using the Insert Symbol feature in Word:

• Go to the “Insert” tab.
• Click on “Symbol” and then “More Symbols.”
• In the Symbol window, select the “Special Characters” tab.
• Find the en dash or em dash and click “Insert.”

Remember, these shortcuts are specific to Microsoft Word and might not work in other word processing programs or text fields.

Another method to make or write the short dash and long dash in Word with the keyboard

Now we will show you another method with which to   make or write the short dash and long dash in Word with the keyboard. And it is precisely by making use of the keyboard shortcuts and you only have to know what combination of keys you should use so that the script is written in the text. Whether this is the one you need or the short dash or the long dash.

As you know, Word allows you to insert different characters and special symbols through keyboard shortcuts . If you want to enter the long dash, you must press the following key combination Ctrl + Alt + (-) the sign of the long dash will appear only when you press the one that appears on the numeric keyboard, otherwise this key combination will not work.

In order for you to write the short dash, you should not make any combination of keys for it, you just have to press the short dash key that is shown on your alphanumeric keyboard . Try to locate it on your keyboard, which is generally under the letter Ñ. it is always important that you become familiar with your keyboard and know where to find each special character.

And so in this simple way, we have taught you what the two types of scripts that you can write or include in your text are used for, and the steps you must take to be able to   make or write the short script and the long script in Word with keyboard.

In conclusion, learning how to make and write short and long dashes in Word with the keyboard can greatly improve your productivity as a writer or document creator. These keyboard shortcuts offer efficiency, consistency, and enhanced readability. Incorporate dashes into your documents using these simple techniques, and enjoy the benefits of clear and professionally formatted content.

In conclusoin, knowing how to make and write the short dash and long dash in Word with the keyboard provides you with essential formatting options to enhance your documents. We have outlined the steps to create both types of dashes using simple keyboard shortcuts. Utilizing these dashes allows you to organize information, emphasize key points, and bring a professional touch to your written work. Experiment with these techniques and see how they can elevate the visual appeal and clarity of your Word documents.