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Two Methods:Insert Line with Keystroke ShortcutsInsert Line with Formatting Toolbar

Microsoft Word is filled with formatting shortcuts that most users never learn. You can use keyword shortcuts to cut and paste, and you can also add horizontal lines with just a few keystrokes. Find out how to insert a line in Microsoft Word.

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Method 1 of 2: Insert Line with Keystroke Shortcuts

  1. Insert a Line in Word Step 1 Version 3.jpg
    1
    Open your Word document.
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  2. Insert a Line in Word Step 2 Version 3.jpg
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    Place your cursor on the area where you want to create a horizontal line.
  3. Insert a Line in Word Step 3 Version 3.jpg
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    Type 3 consecutive dashes/hyphens, and then type "Enter." You should have a straight line that extends the full width of the page.
  4. Insert a Line in Word Step 4 Version 3.jpg
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    Make other types of lines using similar Word keystroke shortcuts. You will need to press each of the following keys 3 times and hit "Enter."
    • Create a dotted line by typing asterisks.
    • Create an underscore line by typing 3 underscores. You will need to press your "Shift" button in order to use the underscore symbol.
    • Create a double line by typing equals signs.
    • Older versions of Word may also include special lines for the pound sign and tilde sign.
  5. Insert a Line in Word Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    5
    Adjust the line as needed.
    • Highlight the line, then click the "Page Layout" from the menu bar.
    • Select "Page Borders".
  6. Insert a Line in Word Step 6 Version 3.jpg
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    Choose from the list of lines you can make. Click "Ok" to continue. You can also make other selections for boxes and shading in this area.
  7. Insert a Line in Word Step 7 Version 2.jpg
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    Return to the "Borders and Shading" format menu to remove the line. Click "None" on the left hand side. This will delete it.
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Method 2 of 2: Insert Line with Formatting Toolbar

  1. Insert a Line in Word Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    1
    Open your Word document.
  2. Insert a Line in Word Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    2
    Choose the line on which you would like to place your line.
  3. Insert a Line in Word Step 10 Version 3.jpg
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    Choose the "Home" toolbar if you are using Word version 2010 or later. Choose the Paragraph formatting section of this Home screen or the paragraph formatting toolbar in earlier versions.
  4. Insert a Line in Word Step 11 Version 3.jpg
    4
    Click the "Borders" button. This is a small drop down button with a box divided into 4 sections.
  5. Insert a Line in Word Step 12 Version 3.jpg
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    Press the button. Choose the bottom border. Your horizontal line will appear across your page.
  6. Insert a Line in Word Step 13 Version 2.jpg
    6
    Highlight the line and go to the "Borders and Shading" section of the Format toolbar to change the style of your line.
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Tips

  • To create lines throughout your document, you can insert a table into your page. On the Table toolbar, choose "New" and specify the size of table you would like. Click and drag the edges of the table so that it covers the page. Adjust the borders of the table to include bottom lines in the "Borders and Shading" section.


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Sources and Citations

Article Info

Categories: Microsoft Word

In other languages:

Português: Inserir uma Linha no Word, Español: insertar una línea en Word, Italiano: Inserire una Linea in Word, Deutsch: Eine Linie in Word einfügen, 中文: 在Word中插入线条, Français: insérer une ligne sur Word, Русский: вставить линию в Word, Bahasa Indonesia: Menyisipkan Garis di Word

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 135,015 times.

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