I’m working on a document and need to insert an em dash, but I can’t figure out the keyboard shortcut. I tried using alt codes and different key combinations, but nothing seems to work. Can anyone tell me an easy way to type an em dash on a Windows computer?
Just went through the same issue, so you’re not alone! Typing an em dash on Windows can be super frustrating. There are a few ways to do it that might help you out:
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Alt Codes: If you have a numeric keypad, you can hold down the Alt key and type 0151 on the keypad, then release the Alt key, and voila, you get an em dash (—). But this only works if your keyboard has a dedicated number pad.
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Word Shortcut: If you’re using Microsoft Word, you can type two hyphens with no spaces before or after (like this: --) and then continue typing. Word will automatically convert it to an em dash. Also, if you want a quicker manual method, you can use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + minus key (on the numeric keypad) to insert an em dash.
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Character Map: Search for ‘Character Map’ in Windows search bar, open it, choose the font you’re using, find the em dash, select it, click ‘Copy’, and then go back to your document and paste it. This is a bit cumbersome but works for any special characters, not just the em dash.
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Autocorrect: Another useful method is to set up an autocorrect entry. In apps like Word, you can go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Add an entry that replaces something like
--with an em dash. -
Third-Party Tools: If you are frequently using special characters and find the above methods annoying, consider using a tool like PhraseExpress or AutoHotKey. These allow you to create custom keyboard shortcuts for special characters and can save loads of time if you’re doing this often.
Tl;dr, using Word’s automatic conversion or a custom keyboard shortcut with a third-party tool is probably your best bet if you need to insert these dashes frequently. Sometimes the simplest methods save the most headache!
Hope this helps, and happy typing!
I noticed everyone’s suggesting the usual suspects like Alt codes and Word shortcuts, but let me add a couple more—especially useful if you’re frequently working with text editing outside of Word.
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Microsoft Outlook and OneNote Shortcuts: These apps have a similar function to Word. In OneNote, you can simply type two hyphens followed immediately by a word, and OneNote will convert it to an em dash. This might also work in other Office suite apps, so it’s worth trying if you find yourself switching between them.
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Windows Emoji Panel: You can open the emoji panel even in Windows by pressing Win + . (period). Once it’s open, click the “Ω” which stands for symbols and navigate to the proper category. It has an em dash among many other useful symbols. It’s not as quick as a direct keyboard shortcut but it’s accessible system-wide.
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Text Replacement in Windows: If you don’t want to keep using the Character Map or shortcuts, you can actually add a custom text replacement in some programs like Google Docs and TexStudio. Go to Tools > Preferences in Google Docs, and add a substitution to convert something simple (like, “–>” to an em dash).
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Custom Hotkey Software: It’s true that apps like PhraseExpress and AutoHotKey are amazing, but setting them up can be another layer of hassle. You might instead look into Pulover’s Macro Creator which is a bit more intuitive. It lets you record macros and assign them to hotkeys. This can automate more than just typing an em dash—think repetitive tasks automation.
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Clipboard Managers: If you’re into productivity tools, you can use clipboard management software like Ditto. Ditto lets you store an extensive clipboard history plus you can pin frequently used items (like em dash). So you just copy it once and have it available whenever you need it.
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Rich Text Editors and Markdown Editors: Some of these editors like Typora support markdown, which might convert double hyphens into em dashes automatically when you export your text. If you’re not already using these for documentation, they are definitely worth a try.
One thing I’d slightly disagree with is the character map method. While it’s a built-in feature, it honestly feels too cumbersome for frequent use. By the time you’ve navigated and found the character you need, you could’ve quickly typed it using some other method.
To sum up, for efficiency, if you’re working in a mixed environment or different apps, clipboard managers and text expansion tools are indispensable. If it’s mostly MS Word, sticking to their in-built shortcuts is probably easiest. If you’re in any kind of terminal, consider text editors that support custom keybindings; once they’re set up, you won’t look back!
Keep exploring till you find what gel with your workflow, sometimes the most obscure tools make your life infinitely easier, more than you’d initially think!
Why go through all these complicated steps like Alt codes or Character Map, which are time-consuming and annoying? Just use a simple, efficient clipboard manager like Ditto. You copy an em dash once, and it’s saved. No need for multiple software or deep-diving into Word options.
Third-party tools like PhraseExpress are often overkill if you’re just typing an em dash. Ditto covers a wider scope and isn’t solely reserved for em dashes. The Emoji panel you guys mentioned is also far from ideal for productivity. Keep it simple, pal!