How to Insert Em Dash and En Dash Characters in Word

You need to insert an em dash or en dash in a Word document but cannot find the key on your keyboard. Word does not have a dedicated dash key for these punctuation marks, and using a hyphen in their place is grammatically incorrect. This article explains the difference between the two dashes and provides six reliable methods to insert them. You will learn keyboard shortcuts, AutoCorrect tricks, and menu-based insertion techniques.

Understanding Em Dashes and En Dashes in Word

An em dash and an en dash are punctuation marks that serve different purposes. The em dash is the width of the letter M and indicates a sudden break in a sentence, an interruption, or an emphasis. The en dash is the width of the letter N and connects ranges of numbers, dates, or time. Word distinguishes these dashes from a standard hyphen, which is shorter and used for compound words.

No special font or add-in is required to use these dashes. They are part of the standard character set in all versions of Word for Windows 10 and Windows 11. The methods below work in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365.

Six Methods to Insert Em Dash and En Dash Characters

Each method has a specific use case. Keyboard shortcuts are fastest for frequent use. AutoCorrect works while you type. The Symbol menu is useful when you cannot remember the shortcut. Use the method that fits your workflow.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut With Numeric Keypad

1. Place the cursor where you want the dash
   Click at the insertion point in the document.
2. Press the em dash shortcut
   Hold Ctrl and Alt, then press the Minus key on the numeric keypad. Do not use the hyphen key on the main keyboard.
3. Press the en dash shortcut
   Hold Ctrl, then press the Minus key on the numeric keypad.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, use one of the other methods below.

Method 2: AutoCorrect While Typing

1. Type two hyphens for an em dash
   Type two hyphens immediately after a word with no space. Then type the next word. Word converts the two hyphens to an em dash.
2. Type a space-hyphen-space for an en dash
   Type a space, a hyphen, then a space between two numbers or words. Word converts the hyphen to an en dash.
3. Check AutoCorrect settings
   Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. On the AutoFormat As You Type tab, make sure the box for Replace hyphens with dash is checked. This option is enabled by default.

Method 3: Symbol Menu

1. Open the Symbol dialog
   Go to Insert > Symbols > Symbol > More Symbols.
2. Select the Special Characters tab
   Click the Special Characters tab at the top of the dialog.
3. Insert the dash
   Scroll to Em Dash or En Dash, select it, and click Insert. Close the dialog.

Method 4: Unicode Character Code

1. Type the Unicode value for an em dash
   Type 2014, then press Alt+X. Word replaces the code with an em dash.
2. Type the Unicode value for an en dash
   Type 2013, then press Alt+X. Word replaces the code with an en dash.

Method 5: Alt Key With Numeric Codes

1. Hold Alt and type the em dash code
   Hold Alt, type 0151 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.
2. Hold Alt and type the en dash code
   Hold Alt, type 0150 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt.

Method 6: Copy and Paste From Character Map

1. Open Character Map
   Press Windows key, type Character Map, and open the app.
2. Select the dash
   Set the Font to any font. Scroll to the em dash or en dash, select it, click Select, then Copy.
3. Paste into Word
   Press Ctrl+V in the document.

Common Mistakes When Inserting Dashes in Word

The Hyphen Key Does Not Produce an Em Dash

Pressing the hyphen key on the main keyboard always inserts a standard hyphen. Word will not convert a single hyphen to a dash unless you use AutoCorrect with spaces. If you need an em dash, use two hyphens or the keyboard shortcut.

AutoCorrect Does Not Convert Hyphens to Dashes

This happens when the AutoCorrect option is turned off or when you typed the hyphens inside a table cell or text box. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type tab and enable Replace hyphens with dash. If the problem persists, use the Symbol menu or Unicode method instead.

Em Dash Appears as a Hyphen When Printed

The font used must support the em dash character. Most standard fonts such as Calibri, Arial, and Times New Roman support it. If you use a custom font, check its character set. Switch to a standard font to verify.

Em Dash vs En Dash vs Hyphen: Usage Comparison

Character	Width	Typical Use
Hyphen	Shortest	Compound words: well-known, twenty-three
En dash	Medium	Ranges: 2010–2020, pages 5–10
Em dash	Longest	Sentence breaks or emphasis: The answer—surprisingly—was correct

Use a hyphen for compound adjectives and compound numbers. Use an en dash for number ranges and score comparisons. Use an em dash for a strong interruption or to set off a parenthetical phrase.

You can now insert em dashes and en dashes using keyboard shortcuts, AutoCorrect, the Symbol menu, or Unicode codes. The fastest method for frequent use is Ctrl+Alt+Minus for em dash and Ctrl+Minus for en dash when using a numeric keypad. If you type documents with many ranges or interruptions, consider creating a custom AutoCorrect entry for each dash. For example, set Word to replace emdash with the em dash character. This saves time and ensures consistency.