An em dash (—) is a long punctuation mark that can set off an interruption, add emphasis, or mark a break in a sentence. In Microsoft Word, you can insert one with a keyboard shortcut, use Word’s Symbol menu, or let AutoCorrect replace a pair of hyphens as you type. This guide covers the practical options for Windows and Mac, plus ways to fix common problems. You do not need a special font or add-in; the best method depends on your device and how often you use the character.
What You’ll Need
- Microsoft Word on a Windows computer or Mac. Menu labels can vary a little between Word editions, but the main methods are similar.
- A physical keyboard for the shortcut methods. On some compact keyboards, the numeric keypad is absent, so use the Symbol menu or AutoCorrect instead.
- A document in which you can type or edit text. If you are using Word in a browser, try the menu or AutoCorrect method if a desktop shortcut does not work.
Step-by-Step
- Know which dash you want. An em dash looks like this: —. It is longer than a hyphen (-) and an en dash (–). Hyphens commonly join parts of words, while en dashes often mark a range or relationship. If the mark in your document looks short, you may have inserted a hyphen or en dash by mistake. Keeping the distinction in mind helps you choose the right character from Word’s menus.
- Use the Windows keyboard shortcut. Put the insertion point where the dash should appear. Hold Ctrl and Alt, then press the minus key on the numeric keypad. The keypad key is the one used for subtraction, not the hyphen key on the main keyboard. Release the keys and check that Word inserted —. On a laptop without a separate keypad, a keyboard’s embedded keypad may require a function key, and the exact combination depends on the device. If the shortcut is unavailable or produces another character, use the Symbol menu instead.
- Use the Mac keyboard shortcut. Place the cursor in the right spot, then press Option, Shift, and the hyphen key together. This inserts an em dash in many Mac applications, including Word. If the combination does not work, check that Word is the active application and that your keyboard input source has not changed the expected key mapping. You can still insert the mark through the menu, which does not depend on remembering a shortcut.
- Insert the character from Word’s Symbol menu. Open the Insert tab, choose Symbol, and select More Symbols if the em dash is not already displayed. In the dialog, look through the punctuation characters for the long dash and select it. Choose Insert, then close the dialog. The character should appear at the cursor. The exact menu arrangement can differ by Word edition, but the Insert and Symbol labels are the useful places to look. If the list is difficult to scan, try the search or character information options offered in your dialog.
- Use the character picker when it is available. Some versions of Word show recently used symbols in the Symbol menu. After inserting an em dash once through More Symbols, check that menu again; the dash may be available there for a quick repeat. This is convenient when you need several in one document but do not want to memorize a shortcut. If the recent-symbol list is empty or changes, return to More Symbols rather than relying on it as a permanent toolbar button.
- Let Word convert two hyphens automatically. In many desktop installations, typing two hyphens between words and then continuing with a space can cause Word to replace the pair with an em dash. For example, you might type “I meant to call–but forgot” and then press Space after the final word; Word may convert the double hyphen as part of its typing corrections. The behavior depends on AutoCorrect or AutoFormat settings, so test it in a safe spot. If Word leaves the hyphens unchanged, use a direct insertion method or enable the relevant option.
- Check the automatic formatting setting if conversion fails. In Word’s options, open the proofing or AutoCorrect settings and look for the AutoFormat As You Type option that replaces two hyphens with a dash. Turn it on if you want automatic conversion, then confirm the dialog and test it in a new line. The location and wording vary among editions and operating systems. If you do not want Word changing punctuation as you type, leave the setting off and insert the em dash manually instead.
- Review the result in context. Read the sentence after inserting the character. Make sure the dash is the long em dash, is positioned where you intended, and has appropriate spacing for the style you are following. Some publications use spaces around an em dash; others set it close to the surrounding words. Word will insert the character but will not decide which editorial style your document should use. Apply the same spacing consistently throughout the document.
Common Mistakes
Pressing the wrong minus key: The Windows shortcut uses the minus key on the numeric keypad. Pressing the hyphen key near the top of the keyboard may simply type a hyphen. If your keyboard has no separate keypad, the shortcut may not be practical.
Confusing the three dash marks: A hyphen, en dash, and em dash are distinct characters. A short mark is not necessarily a faulty em dash; it may be the wrong punctuation mark. Zoom in or compare it with the example above if you are unsure.
Expecting AutoCorrect to act immediately: Word may wait until you type a space or continue the sentence before replacing the double hyphen. It may also be disabled or behave differently in a particular edition. Do not assume conversion happened; look at the actual text.
Typing a dash into the wrong place: The symbol appears at the current insertion point, which may be elsewhere if you clicked or navigated after selecting text. Click precisely where it belongs before using a shortcut or opening the Symbol dialog.
Using spaces inconsistently: Word does not enforce a universal spacing rule for em dashes. Mixing styles can make a document look uneven, so follow the style guide for your project rather than changing spacing at random.
Tips
- For one occasional dash, use the Mac shortcut or Windows keypad shortcut when available. For an unfamiliar keyboard, the Symbol menu is the most dependable visual route.
- If you use em dashes frequently, choose one method and practise it in a blank line. A familiar shortcut is often faster than opening a dialog each time.
- Consider AutoCorrect if you routinely type double hyphens and want Word to convert them. Test the setting before editing a long document, especially if double hyphens have a special meaning in your work.
- Use Find and Replace cautiously if you want to change existing double hyphens. A global replacement could alter text where the pair is intentional, such as code, notes, or quoted material. Review each occurrence before replacing broadly.
- When sharing a document, preserve the actual em dash character rather than relying on a particular font’s appearance. Standard text fonts support it, but a font change can make punctuation look slightly different.
Troubleshooting
The Windows shortcut does nothing. Confirm that Num Lock and the numeric keypad are available, and press the keypad’s minus key rather than the main keyboard’s hyphen. Laptop keyboards sometimes put a keypad behind a function layer, and not every layout handles that layer the same way. If you cannot identify the keypad combination, use Insert, then Symbol, and choose the em dash from the dialog.
The shortcut inserts another character. Keyboard shortcuts can be affected by the active application, keyboard layout, or a conflicting shortcut. Verify that Word has focus, try the shortcut in a new blank document, and check the result before continuing. If it still produces the wrong mark, stop using that combination and insert the character from the Symbol menu.
Word does not turn two hyphens into a dash. First, continue typing or press Space, since conversion may happen only after Word recognizes the end of the text pattern. If there is no conversion, inspect AutoCorrect or AutoFormat As You Type settings for the two-hyphens-to-dash option. If your edition does not offer that setting, or you prefer to keep automatic corrections disabled, use a shortcut or the Symbol dialog.
The character looks like a short line. Check whether you selected the hyphen or en dash instead of the em dash. Reopen More Symbols and choose the longer mark. If you are viewing a small font size or a font with subtle punctuation, enlarge the text briefly to compare the character, then return to your intended formatting.
You cannot find Symbol in the ribbon. Expand the Insert tab’s menu or look for a symbol button near the right side of the ribbon. In Word for the web or a simplified interface, some commands may be arranged differently. Use the available search or command help to look for “Symbol.” If the command is not available in your current interface, try the desktop app or copy the em dash shown here: —.
The dash appears in the wrong location. Undo the insertion, click at the intended cursor position, and try again. If text was selected, the symbol may have replaced that selection. Reinsert it only after confirming the selection and insertion point, then read the whole sentence to verify that no neighboring text was removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to type an em dash in Word?
On a Mac, try Option+Shift+hyphen. On Windows with a numeric keypad, try Ctrl+Alt+the keypad minus key. If either shortcut is unavailable on your keyboard, use Insert, then Symbol, and select the em dash.
Can Word make an em dash from two hyphens?
Yes, many desktop versions can replace two typed hyphens with an em dash through an AutoCorrect or AutoFormat As You Type option. The conversion may occur after you type a space, and it will not happen if the relevant setting is turned off.
How can I tell an em dash from an en dash?
An em dash is the longer mark: —. An en dash is shorter: –. A hyphen is shorter still: -. Their uses differ, so choose the mark appropriate to the sentence rather than treating them as interchangeable.
Can I insert an em dash in Word for the web?
It depends on the browser, keyboard, and available commands. Try the Insert and Symbol menus if shown. If the desktop shortcut does not work in the browser, use a visible symbol command or copy and paste this character: —.
Does Word add spaces around an em dash automatically?
Word inserts the character but does not apply one universal spacing style. Whether you put spaces around it depends on the writing style you are following. Keep the spacing consistent within the document.