How to Type an EM Dash in Word?

How do you type an em dash in Microsoft Word? Unlike a hyphen (-), it’s not on your keyboard, so it takes a trick or two.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Windows)

• Steps: Type two hyphens (--) between words with no spaces, then hit the spacebar or Enter.
• Example: Type “sunny--weather” and press space—it becomes “sunny—weather.”

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut (Mac)

• Steps: Hold Option + Shift + Hyphen.
• Example: Mid-sentence—like this—it pops up as “Mid-sentence—like this.”

Method 3: Insert Symbol

• Steps:
  1. Click Insert on Word’s toolbar.
  2. Select Symbol > More Symbols.
  3. In the “Special Characters” tab, pick “Em Dash” and click Insert.
• Example: Add it manually—say, “rain—no umbrella”—for precision.

Method 4: AutoCorrect Hack

• Steps:
  1. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.
  2. In “Replace,” type something like “emdash”; in “With,” paste an EM dash (—).
  3. Click Add and OK.
• Example: Type “emdash” and space—it swaps to “—”.