A line appears in word

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You can add horizontal lines, sometimes called horizontal rules, to a document or email message to help separate sections of text and add visual appeal.

By default, Word and Outlook have a three-character shortcuts that inserts a full-width horizontal rule in your document or message. The appearance of that rule—thinner, thicker, double-line, dotted, wavy—depends on which shortcut you use, as illustrated in the image below.

If this automatic line feature doesn’t suit you, you can turn off this feature in Word or turn it off in Outlook.

If you want to draw a line for illustration purposes, see Draw a line in Word or Outlook instead.

Insert a horizontal line by typing a few characters

The fastest way to add a horizontal line or rule is to use the AutoFormat feature. When you type certain characters three times in their own paragraph and then press Enter, those characters instantly become a full-width horizontal line.

Place the cursor where you want to insert the horizontal line.
Type three of the characters illustrated below, and then press Enter.

The line is inserted for the full width of the page. When inserted into a column, the line is inserted to match the width of the column. To add text above the line, put your cursor where you want the text and begin typing.

Format the horizontal line after you create it

The shortcut described above creates an empty paragraph with a bottom border. You can change the look of that border line by using the Borders options:

In Word, on the Home tab of the ribbon, select the down arrow next to Borders.

In Outlook, on the Format Text tab of the ribbon, select the down arrow next to Borders.
At the bottom of the menu, select Borders and Shading.
In the dialog, you can change the line’s style (solid, dotted, wavy, double, and so on), color, or width as you see fit.
When you’re done formatting the line, select OK. Then, on the ribbon, select the Borders button to apply your changes.

Word: Turn off the automatic line feature

To prevent Word or Outlook from automatically inserting a horizontal line when you type the three shortcut characters, do the following:

On the ribbon, select File > Options.
In the dialog box, select Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type.
Clear the Border Lines option.
Select OK.

Outlook: Turn off the automatic line feature

On the ribbon, select File > Options.
In the dialog box, select the Mail tab, then select Editor Options.
On the Proofing tab, select AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type.
Under Apply as you type, clear the Border Lines option.
Select OK.

Want to draw a line?

See Draw a line in Word or Outlook.

Use AutoFormat to Insert a Line in Word

You can quickly insert a line into a Word document with the AutoFormat feature. To create a line, place the cursor in the location that you’d like to insert it, type the three characters for the desired line style, then press Enter.

To create the different types of lines, press the associated keys on the keyboard:

Plain single line: Three hyphens (—)
Plain double line: Three equal signs (===)
Broken or dotted line: Three asterisks (***)
Bold single line: Three underline symbols (___)
Wavy line: Three tildes (~~~)
Triple line with a thick center: Three number signs (###)

Here’s what each of these line types looks like in Word:

Use the Horizontal Line Tool to Insert a Line in Word

To insert a line into a Word document using the built-in Horizontal Line tool:

Place the cursor where you want to insert a line.
Go to the Home tab.

By default, the Home tab is selected when you open a new or existing Word document.
In the Paragraph group, select the Borders drop-down arrow and choose Horizontal Line.
To change the look of the line, double-click the line in the document.
In the Format Horizontal Line dialog box, modify the width, height, color, and alignment of the line.

Use the Shapes Menu to Insert a Line in Word

A third way to add a line to a Word document is to draw it on the page. The Shapes menu contains several line options, including lines with arrow points on one or both ends. After you draw the line, customize the color and appearance.

Place the cursor in the spot where you want to insert a line.
Go to the Insert tab.
In the Illustrations group, select the Shapes drop-down arrow.
In the Lines group, choose a line shape.
In the Word document, drag across the location where you want the line to appear.
To change the look of the line, select the line to enable the Shape Format tab. (Some versions of Word call this Format.)
Go to the Shape Format tab and change the color, use a different line style, or apply effects.

FAQ

How do I change line spacing in Word?

To fix spacing in Word, highlight the text whose spacing you want to change and select the Home tab. Next to Paragraph, select the down arrow to expand the options. In the Spacing section, set the amount of space before and after line breaks or choose a preset line-spacing option.
How do I add a signature line in Word?

To insert a signature line in Word, go to the Insert tab and select Signature Line. Selecting few or no options leaves a blank line, and a signature line will appear in the document.
How do I add line numbers in Word?

To add line numbers in Word, go to Layout > Page Setup > Line Numbers and choose Continuous, Restart Each Page or Restart Each Section > Line Numbering Options.

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A user-friendly guide to making different types of lines in Microsoft Word

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Using Shapes to Draw a Line

Using Borders to Add a Line

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Using the Mobile App

Tips

Do you want to create a horizontal line in your resumé or other Microsoft Word document? If you want to customize the color and format of the line, you can use the Shapes tool. If you need to make a quick, basic line, you can use the keyboard shortcut. While you can use the keyboard shortcut on Windows and Mac, you cannot use it on the mobile app. This wikiHow will show you how to insert different lines in Microsoft Word on your Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android device.

Things You Should Know

On desktop, go to the Insert tab. Click Shapes, then select a line. Click and drag across the document to create a line.
To customize the line, double-click it. Click Shape Outline to change the color.
On mobile, click the three dots. Tap Home and select Insert. Tap Shapes to select a line. Tap and drag across the document to create a line.

1
Open Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer. Click or double-click the Word app icon, which resembles a white «W» on a dark-blue background.
- If you want to draw a line in an existing Word document, double-click the Word document to open it and skip the next step.
- You’ll need a subscription to use Office 365.
2

Click Blank document. It’s in the upper-left side of the page.

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3

Click the Insert tab. This tab is in the blue ribbon at the top of the Word window, between Home and Draw.
4
Click Shapes. It’s in the Insert toolbar, next to the icon of an overlapping circle and square.
- A drop-down menu will appear.
5

Select a line shape. In the «Lines» heading, click one of the line templates. You can choose a line, line arrow, double line arrow, and more.
6
Draw your line. Click and drag across the document to create your line.
- If you need to adjust the line’s length and orientation, click the left or right circle. Drag it left or right to adjust the length, or drag it up and down to adjust the orientation.
- To move the line, double-click and drag it to the desired position.

1
Open Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer. Click or double-click the Word app icon, which resembles a white «W» on a dark-blue background.
- If you want to draw a line in an existing Word document, double-click the Word document to open it and skip the next step.
2

Click Blank document. It’s in the upper-left side of the page.
3
Click the Home tab. This tab is in the blue ribbon at the top of the Word window, between File and Insert.
- You may already be on this tab by default.
4
Click the «Borders» arrow. This is next to the icon of the dotted square with a solid bottom line.
- A drop-down menu will open.
5
Click Horizontal Line. This will be towards the bottom, above Draw Table.
- A horizontal line will be added.
6
Format your line. Double-click the line; a dialogue box will appear.
- To change the line thickness, use the up and down arrow below Height. The higher the number, the thicker the line will be.
- To change the color, click the color box underneath Color. Select your desired color.
- Click OK to save and apply your changes.
- To move the line, double-click and drag it to the desired position.

1
Open Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer. Click or double-click the Word app icon, which resembles a white «W» on a dark-blue background.^[1]
- If you want to draw a line in an existing Word document, double-click the Word document to open it and skip the next step.
2

Click Blank document. It’s in the upper-left side of the page.
3
Place your cursor where you want your line to appear. You’ll need to be on a blank line, as this won’t work if there is text before or after your cursor on the same line.
- You’ll be creating a horizontal line that spans from one edge of your page to the other. The line will stop at your set margins.
- If you want to make the line span the whole page, you’ll need to change your document margins.
4

Type three dashes in a row. Use your dash key on the number row at the top of your keyboard, or on the numeric pad.
5
Press ↵ Enter to convert the dashes into a line. AutoCorrect will automatically create a solid line that will situate itself directly beneath the previous line of text.
- Note that the line does not occupy the space of a line of text, but instead exists between lines of text.
- If you do not have AutoCorrect enabled, do so by clicking File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options…. This will open a new window.
  - Make sure the Border Lines box is checked. This can be found underneath Apply as you type.
  - If you want to turn off AutoCorrect, uncheck the boxes.
6
Use different characters for different line styles. There are a variety of different lines that you can create by using characters other than the dash:^[2]
- Thin line: Three hyphens (-).
- Thick line: Three underscores (_).
- Double line: Three equal signs (=).
- Dotted line: Three asterisk (*).
- Triple line: Three pound signs (#).
- Squiggly line: Three tildes (~).
7
Move the line by entering text above it. You can prompt the line to move down by typing text above it and then pressing Enter.
- Deleting text above the line will prompt it to move upward.

1
Open a document in the Microsoft Word app. This looks like a blue notebook next to a W.
- Microsoft Word is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.
- Tap Blank document to open a new document or tap a file to open an existing document.
2
Tap ••• . This can be found above the keyboard, to the right.
- If you don’t see your keyboard, tap the document to bring it up.
- A new menu will open.
3
Tap Home. This will be to the left of the formatting window.
- A drop-down menu will open.
4

Tap Insert. You’ll see a list of all objects you can insert.
5

Tap Shapes. This is next to the icon of an overlapping circle and square.
6

Select a line shape. In the «Lines» heading, tap one of the line templates. You can choose a line, line arrow, double line arrow, and more.
7
Draw your line. Tap and drag across the document to create your line.
- Use two fingers to pinch and zoom out to view the entire document.
- If you need to adjust the line’s length and orientation, tap the left or right circle. Drag it left or right to adjust the length, or drag it up and down to adjust the orientation.
- To move the line, tap and drag it to the desired position.

Add New Question

Question

How do I view all available symbols in Microsoft Word?

Click «Insert» and then click «Symbols» and you should be shown a box with all of the symbols in it.
Question

How do I add a line on the first page, and no lines on the second?

Click «Insert» and then click «Symbols» and you should be shown a box with all of the symbols in it.
Question

How do I change the color of the line?

In the paragraph section, open the drop-down menu on the «Borders» button. At the very bottom is a «Borders and Shading» option. In that option, change the color of the bottom border to your specified color. Click the «Borders» button.

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Article SummaryX

1. Click Insert.
2. Click Shapes.
3. Select a line template.
4. Click and drag across your Microsoft Word document to draw the line.

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Insert Lines in Microsoft Word Documents

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated October 9, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft^®Word^® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert a line in Word using the Ribbon or by using keyboard shortcuts. It’s best to avoid drawing lines and instead insert border lines in Microsoft Word (normally paragraph borders) so the line or lines will move as you edit the document.

In this article, we’ll focus on inserting lines using borders attached to paragraphs. In Microsoft Word, anything with a hard return after it is a paragraph. If you use border lines, you can customize the type of border, line thickness and color. You can also include paragraph border lines in styles so they will appear throughout your document. If you draw lines using Insert Shapes, you’ll have to worry about the line being inline or floating.

You can insert a line in Word in 3 ways using borders:

Use the Borders command on the Home tab in the Ribbon
Select and apply different types of lines using the Borders and Shading dialog box
Insert different types of lines using keyboard shortcuts (which add lines using AutoCorrect)

Recommended article: How to Keep Text Together in Microsoft Word

Do you want to learn more about Microsoft Word? Check out our virtual classroom or live classroom Word courses >

Inserting a line using the Borders button

To insert a line in Word above and / or below a paragraph using the Borders button:

Select the paragraph(s) to which you want to add a line.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
Click Borders in the Paragraph group. A drop-down menu appears.
Select the line you want to use.

Below is the Borders command in the Ribbon in Word:

Removing lines using the Borders command

To remove a border line or lines from one or more paragraphs:

Select the paragraph(s) with the border lines you want to remove.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon and then click Borders. A drop-down menu appears.
Choose No Border from the drop-down menu.

Inserting a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box

You can apply a line or custom border lines to one or more paragraphs using the Borders and Shading dialog box.

To insert a line in Word above and / or below a paragraph using the Borders and Shading dialog box:

Select the paragraph(s) to which you want to add a line.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
Click Borders in the Paragraph group. A drop-down menu appears.
Select Borders and Shading. A dialog box appears.
Select a border style, color and width.
Click between the guides in the sample area on the right (above or below the sample).
Click Options (if required), enter any offset amounts to control the distance between the line and the paragraph and click OK.
In Apply to, ensure Paragraph is selected.
Click OK.

Below is the Borders and Shading dialog box where you can add a line or lines to paragraphs:

Removing lines using the Borders and Shading dialog box

To remove lines from one or more paragraphs using the Borders and Shading dialog box:

Select the paragraph(s) with the lines you want to remove.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon and click Borders. A drop-down menu appears.
Select Borders and Shading. A dialog box appears.
Click None in the Setting area.
In Apply to, ensure Paragraph is selected.
Click OK.

Inserting a line using keyboard shortcuts

You can also insert a horizontal line using keyboard shortcuts (which insert border lines as AutoCorrect entries).

Type the following characters and then press Enter or Return to insert lines:

To insert a plain single line, type three hyphens (—).
To insert a plain double line, type three equal signs (===).
To insert a dotted line, type three asterisks (***).
To insert a bold single line, type three underlines (___).
To insert a wavy line, type three tildes (~~~).
To insert a triple line, type three number signs or hash tags (###).

To remove these lines, select the paragraph with the line, click the Borders button on the Home tab and select No Border.

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Источник

Insert a horizontal line by typing a few characters

Format the horizontal line after you create it

Word: Turn off the automatic line feature

Outlook: Turn off the automatic line feature

Want to draw a line?

See Also

Need more help?

Want more options?

What to Know

Use AutoFormat to Insert a Line in Word

Use the Horizontal Line Tool to Insert a Line in Word

Use the Shapes Menu to Insert a Line in Word

Things You Should Know

About This Article

Is this article up to date?

Insert Lines in Microsoft Word Documents

Inserting a line using the Borders button

Removing lines using the Borders command

Inserting a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box

Removing lines using the Borders and Shading dialog box

Inserting a line using keyboard shortcuts

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

More resources

Related courses