An en dash (–) is a punctuation mark that is longer than a hyphen (-) and shorter than an em dash (—). In Word, it is useful for showing a range, such as “pages five–eight,” or a connection between related terms, such as “the Boston–New York train.” This guide explains reliable ways to insert the symbol, check that Word has not substituted a different dash, and keep the punctuation intact when you edit or share a document. You do not need special software; the steps vary slightly depending on whether you use Word on Windows, Mac, or the web.
What You’ll Need
- A document open in Microsoft Word, or access to Word in a web browser.
- A keyboard, if you want to use a shortcut. The Windows shortcut below requires a numeric keypad; the Mac shortcut does not.
- Alternatively, you can use Word’s symbol picker or copy the en dash from this guide: –
Step-by-Step
- Choose where the dash belongs. Click in the document at the point where the en dash should appear. If you are replacing an ordinary hyphen, position the insertion point beside it or select the hyphen first. For a range, the en dash usually goes between the two values with no spaces, as in “Monday–Friday” or “pages five–eight.” Follow the style required for your document, since house styles can differ.
- Use the Windows keyboard shortcut, if available. On a Windows computer, hold down Ctrl and press the minus key on the numeric keypad. Release the keys and check that Word inserted an en dash (–). The minus key along the top row of the keyboard is not the same key for this shortcut. If your keyboard has no separate numeric keypad, use the symbol menu or copy-and-paste method instead. On some compact keyboards, a built-in keypad layer may be available, but its controls depend on the device.
- Use the Mac keyboard shortcut. In Word for Mac, hold Option and press the hyphen key. The character should appear at the insertion point as an en dash (–). Do not confuse Option with Command: the shortcut uses Option. If your keyboard layout or system settings produce a different character, undo the insertion and use the symbol picker so you can verify the result.
- Insert it from Word’s symbol menu. Open the Insert tab and choose Symbol. If the en dash is not shown in the short list, open the option for more symbols. In the symbol window, look through the punctuation characters or search the available character list for “En Dash.” Select the en dash, choose Insert, and close the window. Menu wording and layout can vary between Word versions, but the goal is to insert the named en dash character, not a hyphen or em dash.
- Check the result in the document. The en dash should look longer than a hyphen and shorter than an em dash. If you are unsure, compare the new mark with the examples here: hyphen -, en dash –, em dash —. Zoom in if the font makes the difference hard to see. You can also select the character and replace it through the symbol menu if it is the wrong one.
- Use copy and paste when that is quickest. Copy this character: –. Click in Word where it belongs, then paste. This is handy on a tablet, a laptop without a numeric keypad, or a device where keyboard shortcuts are unfamiliar. After pasting, make sure the character has not been changed by an app or formatting tool between copying and insertion.
- Save and test the document if it will be shared. Save the file, and if you are exporting or sending it, check the en dash in the resulting document too. Fonts and file conversions can affect how a character looks, even when the underlying punctuation is present. If the mark changes or disappears, try a standard font, save again, and reopen the file to confirm that the text still reads correctly.
Common Mistakes
Using a hyphen instead. A hyphen is the short mark used in compound words such as “well-known.” An en dash is longer and is commonly used for a range or a relationship between terms. The two marks can look similar in small text, so check the character rather than relying on a quick glance.
Inserting an em dash by mistake. An em dash is the longer mark often used to set off a break in a sentence—like this. Word may automatically turn two typed hyphens into an em dash when its AutoFormat feature is enabled. That behavior does not mean Word has inserted an en dash. If you need an en dash, use the specific shortcut, symbol picker, or pasted character instead.
Pressing the top-row minus key for the Windows shortcut. The Windows Ctrl shortcut described above uses the minus key on the numeric keypad. Pressing Ctrl with the hyphen-minus key on the main keyboard may not insert the same symbol. If nothing happens, switch to the symbol menu rather than repeatedly trying an uncertain key combination.
Adding spaces automatically around a range dash. In many styles, a dash between dates, times, scores, or page references has no spaces: “June–August.” A dash used between words to express a connection may also be set without spaces, as in “teacher–student relationship.” Other editorial styles use spaces in some contexts, so apply the document’s style consistently rather than changing spacing at random.
Assuming every dash has the same meaning. A hyphen, en dash, and em dash are separate characters. Replacing one with another can change the appearance and, in some writing, the intended punctuation. Use the mark that fits the sentence and the relevant style guide; do not choose solely by length or by what Word inserts automatically.
Tips
- Keep a copyable example nearby. If you insert en dashes often but do not remember the shortcut, keep a small note containing “–” and copy it when needed. This avoids guessing between similar punctuation marks.
- Use find and replace carefully. Word’s Find and Replace can help standardize punctuation in a document, but replacing every hyphen with an en dash can damage compound words and other terms. Search for the specific pattern you intend to change, review each match, and avoid a blanket replacement unless the text has been checked.
- Consider AutoCorrect for frequent use. Word’s AutoCorrect settings can be configured to replace a text sequence you choose with an en dash. Pick a sequence that you do not normally type in ordinary prose, add it as a replacement, and test it in a sample sentence. AutoCorrect options can differ by platform, and an organization may manage some settings.
- Follow the style of the document. En dash spacing and use can differ across publishers, academic disciplines, and in-house writing rules. A range may be written with an en dash in one style and with words such as “to” in another. Consistency within the document matters more than mixing conventions.
- Remember that visual appearance depends on the font. The en dash can look relatively short or long in different typefaces. When the exact character matters, use the named symbol in Word rather than judging only by how wide the mark appears on screen.
Troubleshooting
The shortcut does nothing. Check that Word is the active app and that the insertion point is in editable text. On Windows, confirm that you are pressing the numeric keypad’s minus key rather than the top-row key. On Mac, try Option with the hyphen key. If your keyboard layout changes the result, use Insert, then Symbol, and select En Dash directly.
Word inserted the wrong dash. Undo the insertion immediately, then use the symbol menu and choose the entry named En Dash. This is more dependable than trying another shortcut when you cannot tell which character a key combination produces. Compare the inserted result with the examples in this guide before continuing.
The symbol picker does not show it at first. The initial Symbol menu may display only recently used characters or a limited selection. Open the full symbol window and browse the punctuation characters, or use its search or character-name controls if available. If the menus differ in your version, look under the Insert tab for Symbol or use copy and paste.
The dash changes after typing. Word’s automatic formatting may transform a sequence of hyphens, and other editing or text-cleanup tools can also alter punctuation. Undo the change, insert the en dash directly, and review the relevant AutoFormat or AutoCorrect settings if the substitution keeps happening. Avoid typing multiple hyphens as a substitute when the document requires a specific en dash.
The dash looks wrong in a shared or exported file. First confirm that the original Word document contains an en dash rather than a similar mark. Then try a standard font and export or save the document again. Reopen the exported file and inspect the affected sentence. If another program is involved, check whether it has changed the text during import or conversion.
You cannot select the dash easily. Zoom in, place the cursor next to the mark, and use the arrow keys to move across it. You can also select the relevant word or phrase and retype it with the correct symbol. When editing a long document, search for the surrounding words rather than trying to click a very narrow punctuation mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an en dash look like?
An en dash looks like this: –. It is longer than a hyphen and shorter than an em dash. Its exact visual width varies with the font.
What is the quickest way to type an en dash in Word?
On Mac, use Option with the hyphen key. On Windows, use Ctrl with the numeric keypad’s minus key if your keyboard has one. Otherwise, use Insert, then Symbol, or copy and paste the character.
Can Word turn two hyphens into an en dash?
Word’s common AutoFormat behavior turns two hyphens into an em dash, not an en dash. Because automatic formatting can depend on settings, check the result and use the symbol picker when you need a specific character.
Should an en dash have spaces around it?
It depends on its role and the style you are following. Ranges are commonly closed up, as in “pages five–eight.” Usage between words can vary by editorial style, so use the same convention consistently.
Is an en dash the same as a minus sign?
No. The en dash is a punctuation mark; a mathematical minus sign is a separate character with a different purpose and often different spacing. Use the appropriate mathematical symbol for an equation rather than substituting punctuation.
Can I add an en dash to Word’s AutoCorrect?
Yes. You can create a text replacement in AutoCorrect settings, using a distinctive trigger sequence that you are unlikely to type by accident. Test it in a sample document, and remember that settings and menu names can vary across Word platforms.