How to Make an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

An em dash (the longest of the three dashes) is one of the most versatile punctuation marks. Like commas and parentheses, it can be used to set off extra information, or it can be used to introduce a clause that expands on previous information. While some writers consider em dashes less formal than commas, it’s a matter of personal preference and can be a deliberate stylistic choice.

If you’re unsure of how to make one, don’t worry—we can help. In this post, we’ll show you the simple ways to make an em dash in Microsoft Word.

What Is a Special Character?

An em dash is considered a special character. Special characters are keyboard symbols other than letters and numbers, such as punctuation marks and brackets. Many special characters have more than one purpose, such as the slash. Slashes can be used in dates, to indicate fractions, and to form abbreviations. The table below shows some examples of common special characters proofreaders and editors use.

Common Special Characters

Next, let’s look at the different ways you can make an em dash in Microsoft Word.

How to Make an Em Dash in Word

For Windows, you can insert an em dash in Word using the following steps:

1. Go to the Insert tab in the Word ribbon.
2. Click on the Symbol button, and then select More Symbols.
3. In the Symbol dialog box, select the Special Characters tab.
4. Find the em dash and click Insert.

For a Mac, do the following:

1. Go to the Insert tab in the Word ribbon.
2. Click on Advanced Symbol all the way to the right.
3. Click the Special Characters tab.
4. Find the em dash and click Insert.

If you enable AutoFormat, you can also type two hyphens (–) between the words where you want the em dash to appear. Word will automatically convert the double hyphens into an em dash as you continue typing.

What Is a Keyboard Shortcut?

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of computer keys that triggers a specific action. Instead of using the mouse or navigating through menus and options, they provide a faster and more efficient way to perform common functions.

Keyboard shortcuts are especially useful for proofreaders and editors since they allow you to add shortcuts for commonly used actions or special characters (including the em dash). For example, pressing Control (Command on a Mac) with F will open the Find function (whether you’re in Word or on a webpage), Control and Z will undo your last action, and Control and P opens the print menu.

For Windows, you can make an em dash by pressing the Ctrl key, Alt key, and the minus sign (on the numeric keypad) simultaneously. Make sure to use the minus sign on the numeric keypad and not the hyphen on the main keyboard. On a Mac, click Option, Shift, and the hyphen key to make an em dash.

How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts

Creating a Keyboard Shortcut in Word for Windows

1. Go to the File tab.
2. Click on More and then Options to open the Word Options dialog box.
3. In the left-hand sidebar of the dialog box, select Customize Ribbon.
4. Near the bottom of the dialog box, click Customize. A new dialog box titled Customize Keyboard will open.
5. In the Categories section on the left side, scroll down and select the appropriate category or choose All Commands at the bottom of the list to see the complete list.
6. In the Commands section on the right side, scroll through the list to find the specific command you want to assign a keyboard shortcut to.
7. Click on the Press New Shortcut Key field and select the keys you want to use as the shortcut. You can use a combination of keys like Ctrl, Alt, and Shift along with other keys on the keyboard.
8. Check the Current Keys field to see if the shortcut is already in use for another command. If it is, you can choose a different combination or override the existing assignment.
9. Once you have selected your desired shortcut key combination, click Assign to assign it to the command.

Creating a Keyboard Shortcut in Word for a Mac

1. Click on the Tools drop-down menu and scroll all the way down to Customize Keyboard.
2. Scroll through the Categories and Commands lists at the top to find the command you want to assign to a keyboard shortcut.
3. In the Specify a Keyboard Shortcut field, press the keys you want to use as the shortcut. You can use a combination of keys like Control, Option, Command, and other letters or numbers.
4. Ensure that the shortcut you entered doesn’t conflict with any existing shortcuts listed in the Current Keys box.
5. Once you have entered the shortcut, click Assign to assign it to the selected command.
6. Click OK to close the window.

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