3. 1. Inserting an em-dash in Word
- For Mac: press “option+shift+hyphen key”.
- For desktop PC: press “alt+ctrl+minus” on the numeric keypad (the number section on the far right of your keyboard).
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How do I insert an em-dash in Word?
To insert an em or en dash using Insert Symbol:
- Click where you want to insert the em dash or en dash.
- Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Symbols group, click Symbol. A drop-down menu appears.
- Click More Symbols.
- Click the Special Characters tab.
- Click Em Dash or En Dash.
- Click Insert.
- Click Close.
How do you type an em-dash?
To make an em dash, press and hold Alt, then type 0151.
How do you make an em-dash and en-dash in Word?
To insert an en-dash in your document, hold down the Alt key and type 0150 on the numeric keypad; an em-dash is produced by holding down the Alt key and typing 0151.
What is the em dash?
The Em Dash: An Introduction
The em dash can function like a comma, a colon, or parenthesis. Like commas and parentheses, em dashes set off extra information, such as examples, explanatory or descriptive phrases, or supplemental facts.
How do you make an em dash on a laptop?
For an em-dash, hold down the Alt key and type 0151, then release the Alt key. That’s it! For an en-dash, hold down the Alt key and type 0150, then release the Alt key.
How do I type an en dash in Windows?
To create an En dash, use the shortcut key combination Ctrl + – . Num Lock must be enabled and you need to use the minus key on the numeric keypad.
What’s the difference between an em dash and an en dash?
The en dash is approximately the length of the letter n, and the em dash the length of the letter m. The shorter en dash (–) is used to mark ranges and with the meaning “to” in phrases like “Dover–Calais crossing.” The longer em dash (—) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence.
What does an em dash look like?
It can add a spice—or a dash, if you will—to a sentence by adding emphasis to certain words and phrases. I am talking about the em-dash, which looks like two hyphens connected into one long line. Depending on the sentence, the em-dash can have a similar function to parentheses, colons, commas, and even semicolons.
How do you type an em dash without a numpad?
Hold down one of the Alt keys and type on the numeric keypad: 0150 for an en dash or 0151 for an em dash. The dash appears when you release the Alt key. On a keyboard with no numeric keypad, use a Fn (Function) key combination to type the numbers.
How do you insert an en dash in Word for Mac?
Inserting an en-dash in Word. For Mac: press “option+hyphen key”. Word will automatically convert it to an en-dash. On some Mac keyboards, the option key is called “alt”.
How do you use em dash in a sentence?
The em dash can be used in place of a colon when you want to emphasize the conclusion of your sentence. The dash is less formal than the colon. After months of deliberation, the jurors reached a unanimous verdict—guilty. The white sand, the warm water, the sparkling sun—this is what brought them to Fiji.
Why is it called an em dash?
The character is called an em dash because it is one em wide, a length that varies depending on the font size. One em is the same length as the font’s height (which is typically measured in points). So in 9-point type, an em dash is nine points wide, while in 24-point type the em dash is 24 points wide.
How do I make an em dash in Outlook?
If you want your Outlook email to automatically insert a long dash, also known as an “em dash,” when you type two hyphens together, go into Word’s “Tools” menu and choose “AutoCorrect Options.” Under “Replace as You Type,” check the “Hyphens with Dash” option.
How do you make an em dash in Outlook?
To enter an en dash, press [Ctrl]+- on the numeric keypad. Hold down the [Alt] key and type 0151 on the numeric keypad to enter an em dash.