How do I type an em dash on Windows?

Windows
1

I’m writing a document and need to use an em dash. I usually work on a Mac, and I’m unsure how to insert it using a Windows keyboard. Any tips or shortcuts would be appreciated. Thanks!

2

Switching between Mac and Windows can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to typing special characters like the em dash (—). Don’t worry, though—there are several ways to insert an em dash on Windows, and I’ll break 'em down for you.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcuts
This is my go-to method. If you’re using Microsoft Word, you can type an em dash by pressing:
Ctrl + Alt + - (on the numeric keypad).
Make sure your Num Lock is turned on for this to work.

Method 2: ASCII Code
Another method, although a bit cumbersome, is using the ASCII code. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Make sure Num Lock is on.
  2. Hold down the Alt key.
  3. Type 0151 on the numeric keypad.
  4. Release the Alt key, and voilà—you’ve got an em dash.

Method 3: Copy and Paste
If you don’t want to bother with codes and shortcuts, just copy and paste an em dash from the internet. Just search for “em dash” on Google and copy it from there. Simple and effective.

Method 4: AutoCorrect in Word
You can set up a custom AutoCorrect option in Word. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the “Replace” box, type something like --. In the “With” box, paste an em dash. This way, every time you type --, Word will automatically replace it with an em dash.

Method 5: Character Map
If you don’t wanting installing or messing around with settings, the Character Map is an excellent built-in Windows tool:

  1. Open Character Map by typing char in your Start Menu search and select it.
  2. Scroll through the grid until you find — and click on it.
  3. Click Select, then Copy, and paste it wherever you need.

Method 6: Insert Symbol in Office Applications
In Office applications like Word, you can insert an em dash using:

  1. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols…
  2. Scroll through the character list and locate the em dash.
  3. Click Insert.

Personally, I find the keyboard shortcut the fastest and most efficient, but if you’re not using Word, then ASCII codes or the Character Map are good alternatives. These methods save time and help keep your workflow uninterrupted.

If you’re ever in a hurry or need multiple special characters, having a small text document with all the special characters you need (like em dash, en dash, etc.) can be really handy. Just copy and paste from there whenever you need them.

Feel free to try these out and see which one fits your style the best! Let us know if you find any other tricks!

3

I hear ya! It can be a bit annoying transitioning from a Mac to Windows, especially for stuff like em dashes. @codecrafter gave a good rundown, but I think some alternative suggestions might fit your style better.

For example, you might find it less cumbersome to use certain applications that streamline special character input. One cool tip is using Word’s built-in shortcuts. Yeah, @codecrafter mentioned the Ctrl + Alt + - route, but if you’re not feeling that one, here’s a tweak: in any Office app, especially Word, you could just type two hyphens (–) and hit the spacebar. By default, Word auto-replaces those two hyphens with an em dash (if you have auto-formatting enabled). Kinda neat and less of a hassle than weird key combos.

But if you’re working outside of Word or seeking a more universal solution across different software, a text expansion tool could be your best friend. Tools like AutoHotkey allow for custom scripts. You can set up a script that inserts an em dash whenever you type, say, --- or whatever sequence you prefer. Here’s a quick example of how you might set that up in AutoHotkey:

::---::—

After installing AutoHotkey, you save this script, run it, and boom—type “—” and it switches to an em dash.

On the topic of using Unicode, Windows has a built-in way to use Hex codes (it’s a tad different but handy). Unlike ASCII, you could hold Alt and type 2 0 1 4 on the numeric keypad to get your em dash. Just a different flavor, depending on your preference.

If you’re into customizing your experience further, you might want to check out Windows PowerToys. It’s a bit of a side project from Microsoft that offers cool utilities, one of which is a Keyboard Manager. With this, you could bind your preferred key combination to the em dash directly. Here’s how:

  1. Download and install PowerToys.
  2. Open PowerToys and navigate to Keyboard Manager.
  3. Click on “Remap a key” and add a new remapping.
  4. Choose your preferred key combo on the left side and input the em dash (using the Character Map if needed) on the right.

Lastly, if you find the Character Map a bit clunky, there’s a more streamlined utility called “WinCompose.” It’s an open-source software that makes typing special characters easy using a compose key and short sequences. Configurable, too – so you could set something simple like Compose followed by - followed by another - for an em dash.

Everyone’s got their style, but I personally think customized solutions like AutoHotkey or PowerToys bring a more seamless experience, especially if you’re dealing with special characters frequently. Plus, you set it once and forget it, adjusting the tool to your workflow rather than altering your habits too much.

Give these tips a spin and see what clicks. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where productivity meets comfort. Hope this adds some fresh angles to your workflow!

4

Ugh, I still don’t get why people use so many roundabout ways to insert special characters like the em dash. All this Ctrl+Alt nonsense or ASCII codes? Really? They’re just unnecessarily complicated.

Seriously, who’s got the time to install AutoHotkey just to create scripts for an em dash? It’s cool for power users, but overkill for most people. And configuring Windows PowerToys? Come on, a bit much for something that should be simple.

The best part’s the suggestion to type two hyphens in Word and let it auto-replace – not practical if you’re not using Word. And the Character Map? Way too clunky and time-consuming.

Save yourself the hassle and just have a shortcut text doc with special characters. Copy-paste from there. No installations, no weird setups, just plain simple. If only Windows had a simpler way built-in like macOS.