Can i use the endash or emdash in twitter or facebook. How to enable and disable microsoft word autoformat feature. But that results in really bad line breaks, especially when word is long. How to configure a shared network printer in windows 7, 8, or 10 duration. If you are on mac, below is a shortcut to help you type the em dash sign in word. An em dash is the longest in length of the three and is used to show a break in thought. How to use the hyphen, en dash and em dash ndash mdash, n. An em dash sets off one part of a sentence from the rest of the sentence. If i remember correctly, in word 2003 and probably others as well, if you are using a full size keyboard, cntrl the dash or minus sign on the number pad does the en dash. To insert an en dash, click on the first character the shorter dash.
There are two similar but distinct punctuation marks called dashes. So an em dash char 0x2014 or an en dash char 0x20 become a simple dash 0x02d. I used to have a mac, which had a keyboard shortcut for inserting em dashes without having to open up the character map or copy and paste from the web. The instructions for inserting an em dash in word 2007 are on pages 26 27. How to easily access the elusive emdash on windows and mac. For text separated by an emdash with no spaces, word count counts the emdashed words as one word. Remember that emdashes are used in place of other punctuation to set off information that deserves emphasis. I have the latest version of microsoft word, i have checked to make sure that the auto correct option for replace hyphens with dash is check off, yet i still can not create an em dash.
How to use the shortcut for em dash i frequently use the em dash in word instert symbol special characters em dash, and it would be easier to use a keyboard shortcut. Pressing the hyphen key twice and then hitting the space bar works just as well, but since most uses of the em dash eliminate spaces on either side. To insert an em dash, click on the second character the longer dash. Whilst reading novels, you will see the longer em dash used. In word, you can do it even more quickly if you have a number pad, but that requires an external keyboard. The em dash, which is what many people, like myself are getting frustrated with, when writing, need an em dash, the width of a capital m. N dash or en dash automatically created in word when you type something something word spacehyphenspace word.
Since it is a windows keyboard it will work in most windows applications. If you want to use en dashes instead of hyphens, insert a space before the hyphen. I dont have my full size keyboard here to try, but if you have one, i am pretty sure this is the combination. Windows tends to be a little less friendly to dash admirers, but things have gotten better with the release of its own emoji keyboard its actually got a somewhat convenient shortcut for em. If that approach doesnt suit your needs, try one of three manual methods. My pageplus keyboard for windows will give you easy access to emdash ctrl alt m, endash ctrl alt n, and many other special symbols and accented characters. The em dash is perhaps the most versatile punctuation mark. Word will automatically convert the hyphen into an en dash. You can have word hyphenate your text automatically as you type your text, or later, in one pass. For example, ive set althyphen to produce an en dash and shiftalthyphen to produce an em dash the equivalent of optionhyphen and shiftoptionhyphen on the mac. Word does not replace the two hyphens with a dash like it is supposed to. The biggest source of confusion comes from using a hyphen where you intend to use an emdashand this happens all the time. You can do the same for en dash or other symbols and characters included in your font.
This is what i use in writing, but i have a slight gap between my en dash and dash to make my em dash. Making an emdash word for mac in word 2011 for mac, i used to be able to make an emdash by doing shiftalthyphen. To create the em dash on a macintoshbased system, hold down the shift and option keys and press the minus key. Em dash definition of em dash by the free dictionary. After writing about how the n dash and m dash are used, i thought i should add something about how to insert the n dash and m dash quickly in microsoft word microsoft word can create the n dash and m dash automatically while you type.
Ap style calls for a space on both sides of an em dash, but most other styles, including mla and apa, omit the spaces. For text separated by dashes, emdash, and other separators with spaces around the separator, word count counts the separator as a word. There are also predicate functions that return true it the character is a single quote, double quote or a dash. Most folks know about the hyphen, but fewer are familiar with the em dash and the en dash. The dash is a punctuation mark that is similar in appearance to the hyphen and minus sign but differs from these symbols in length and, in some fonts, height above the baseline.
Ndash or en dash automatically created in word when you type something something wordspacehyphen. Hi optycal, in any windows application, you can create an em dash by holding the alt key down and entering 0151 with the numeric keypad. If you begin a line with an em dash or ellipsis, the only reason you would insert a space before is to drive your editor nuts. Once you let go of alt, it should result in an emdash. If all else fails, copy and paste the dash from another document, such as this page. We gathered our supplies all eight truck loads and started slowly up the bypass.
After writing about how the ndash and mdash are used, i thought i should add something about how to insert the ndash and mdash quickly in microsoft word microsoft word can create the ndash and mdash automatically while you type. If you want to do the same in scrivener, go to tool, options, corrections, edit substitutions. How do i insert an em dash via keyboard with nonnumeric one on a windows laptop. The en dash is used in ranges, such as 610 years, read as six to ten years. The em dash isnt easily formed on computersit requires some special keystrokes on both pcs and macsand so i will admit that at least some of my bile comes from, as a copy editor.
How to insert an en dash or em dash in microsoft word. Depending on the context, the em dash can take the place of commas, parentheses, or colons. I recently switched to word 2016 for mac, and at first that shortcut worked. When you need an em dash, you can let word enter it for you the easy way. Otherwise, you may find yourself guilty of making funny punctuation mistakes. Type in two hyphens, highlight it, and press the box at the top of the screen called symbols. I have yet to see a case where using a hyphen in place of an endash causes confusion, so i dont worry too much about endashes. Emdashes, often known simply as dashes, get their name from typography. You can also use manual hyphenation to have word make hyphenation suggestions. Imagine that last sentence with the emdash replaced with a hyphen. How do i insert an em dash via keyboard with nonnumeric. Creating em dash in word perfect 10 solutions experts. The most common versions of the dash are the en dash, longer than a hyphen. The above shortcuts are all valid ways you can use to type the em dash in word.
You could reprogram things to recognize em dashes in those scenarios, but the standard behavior exists because of the way the vast majority of people perceive text. Click where you want the character to be inserted, select insert from the pulldown menu, and then. It works in any application including text boxes inside browser windows. To assign a different shortcut for em dash, choose the insert symbol option of the words menu, find the em dash and press the shortcut key button. I have tried using thinspaces on the sides on the em dash by kindle treats even that as one word. The em dash signals an interruption in the sentence. Likewise, if the author types two hyphens to represent an em dash, the double hyphen will be converted to a proper em dash. When you use autocorrect options, you can also click stop automatically creating dashes, or click control autocorrect options to open the autocorrect dialog box. Sometimes typing results in an emdash as well, but i assumed that you tried that already.
In your word document, place the text cursor where youd like the dash to go, and paste it. Keyboard shortcut for long hyphens em dash in windows shortcut key. For instance, down the roadand a long winding road it wasthey traveled as quickly as possible. To insert a dash or minus sign, use the toolbar below the edit box. En dash according to wikipedia, the en dash, or n dash, nrule, etc.
On a windows based system, you can form an em dash on a keyboard by holding down the alt key and typing 0151. In windows, you can do it quickly with an external keyboard with a number pad. One is called the en dash and one is called the em dash. Click on the file tab click on the options link in the left navigation pane in the word options window, click on proofing in the left navigation pane click on the. Em dasheswhy writers should use them more sparingly. This is the simple page to learn how to type make em dash em dash on your windows keyboard. A beginners guide to em dashes, en dashes, and hyphens. See tips for inserting the ndash or mdash in microsoft word. I work for an online newswire and frequently work from home. This will insert the em dash symbol into your word document. Keep in mind that the numbers have to be typed on the num pad though. How to type em dash in word with shortcutlong dash. Autoformat converts some hyphens to long dashes in word. Find the dash and press it so it will convert the two hyphens into a dash.
The length of the em dash corresponds to the width of the letter m. Simple keyboard shortcut to make long hyphens em dash in windows is 0151 press the alt key and hold it down while typing 0151 on the windows keyboard. How to use the shortcut for em dash microsoft community. Windows does come with builtin shortcut keys for various functions, but you can change those. If you are uncertain how to insert an en dash symbol, you can use a hyphen instead. With a simple trick for touchscreen keyboards, its easy to use the ndash and mdash on a phone or tablet. So an emdash char 0x2014 or an endash char 0x20 become a simple dash 0x02d. An em dash is the longest dash, often called simply the dash, but also called the em rule or the long dash. Automatic hyphenation is quicker and easier, although manual hyphenation provides more control.