How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word

Written By George Mylne  |  Word, Microsoft

You can create six types of horizontal lines in Microsoft Word using 6 different keyboard shortcuts.

The keystrokes to create six different styles of horizontal lines in Microsoft Word are:

  • On a new line type three dashes (—) and press enter,
  • On a new line type three underscores/underlines (___) and press enter, and
  • On a new line type three equal signs (===) and press enter.
  • On a new line type three asterixs (***) and press enter.
  • On a new line type three hash symbols (###) and press enter.
  • On a new line type three tildes symbols (~~~) and press enter.

The horizontal lines will appear as shown in the below image.

How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 1
Six different horizontal line styles in Microsoft Word

For a more detailed guide on how to do this please watch my video or read the step-by-step guide below.

How to create a horizontal line in Microsoft Word

Total Time: 1 minute

  1. Select a blank line where you want the horizontal line to be

    You will need to select a clear and blank line where you want to create a horizontal line.

    If there is any other text or anything else then the following steps will not work.

  2. Create a single line with a normal line weight

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 2

    To create a single horizontal line, do the following:
    1. Type in three dashes without any spaces and the start or middle of them (—).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a single line with a normal line weight in your Word document.

  3. Create a single line with a thick line weight

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 3

    To create a single horizontal line with a thick line weight, do the following:
    1. Type in three underscores without any spaces and the start or middle of them (___).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a single line with a thick line weight in your Word document.

  4. Create a double line with a normal line weight

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 4

    To create a double horizontal line, do the following:
    1. Type in three equal signs without any spaces and the start or middle of them (===).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a double line with a normal line weight in your Word document.

  5. Create a dotted line

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 5

    To create a dotted horizontal line, do the following:
    1. Type in three asterisks without any spaces and the start or middle of them (***).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a dotted line with a thick line weight in your Word document.

  6. Create a triple line

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 6

    To create a triple horizontal line, do the following:
    1. Type in three hash symbols without any spaces and the start or middle of them (###).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a triple line in your Word document.

  7. Create a zig-zag line

    How to Insert a Horizontal Line in MS Word 7

    To create a zig-zag horizontal line, do the following:
    1. Type in three tidle symbols without any spaces and the start or middle of them (~~~).
    2. Press enter.
    3. You will now have a zig-zag line with a normal line weight in your Word document.

Tools:

  • Microsoft Word

Final thoughts

I hope these instructions have been clear to you and easy to follow. Please watch my video above if you have any issues, and hopefully that will answer your questions.

About the Author

George is the creator of GeekPossible.com. This site was built on questions he has had to find an answer to. We hope you find it useful to you too.

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