How to Add a Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word

PDF download Download Article
Easily add lines to separate text in a Word document
PDF download Download Article

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.

Inserting a Line in Microsoft Word

On desktop, click “Shapes,” in the “Insert” tab then select a line. Click and drag across the document to create it. Double click it to customize it. On mobile, click the 3 dots, then tap “Home” and select “Insert.” Tap “Shapes” to select a line and drag it across the document to create it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Shapes to Draw a Line

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. It's in the upper-left side of the page.
    Advertisement
  3. This tab is in the blue ribbon at the top of the Word window, between Home and Draw .
  4. It's in the Insert toolbar, next to the icon of an overlapping circle and square.
    • A drop-down menu will appear.
  5. In the "Lines" heading, click one of the line templates. You can choose a line, line arrow, double line arrow, and more.
  6. 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.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Borders to Add a Line

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. It's in the upper-left side of the page.
  3. 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. This is next to the icon of the dotted square with a solid bottom line.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  5. This will be towards the bottom, above Draw Table .
    • A horizontal line will be added.
  6. 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.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. It's in the upper-left side of the page.
  3. 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. Use your dash key on the number row at the top of your keyboard, or on the numeric pad.
  5. 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. 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. 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.
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using the Mobile App

PDF download Download Article
  1. 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. 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. This will be to the left of the formatting window.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  4. You'll see a list of all objects you can insert.
  5. This is next to the icon of an overlapping circle and square.
  6. In the "Lines" heading, tap one of the line templates. You can choose a line, line arrow, double line arrow, and more.
  7. 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.
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I view all available symbols in Microsoft Word?
    Community Answer
    Click "Insert" and then click "Symbols" and you should be shown a box with all of the symbols in it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 11
  • Question
    How do I add a line on the first page, and no lines on the second?
    Community Answer
    Click "Insert" and then click "Symbols" and you should be shown a box with all of the symbols in it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 8
  • Question
    How do I change the color of the line?
    Community Answer
    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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 8
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Redline a Document in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Draw Lines in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Make a Graph in Microsoft Word
      A Guide to Overlining Characters in Microsoft Word
      Easily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
      How to
      Add Check Boxes to Word: 10 Simple Steps
      How to
      Remove a Blank Page in Word
      3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors
      3 Easy Ways to Delete a Horizontal Line in a Word Document
      How to
      Print Avery Labels in Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
      How to
      Create and Edit the Table of Contents in Word
      How to
      Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
      Easily Format Word Docs from Scratch or Using Templates
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-horizontal-line-9bf172f6-5908-4791-9bb9-2c952197b1a9#turn-it-off
      2. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-gb/article/Insert-horizontal-lines-9bf172f6-5908-4791-9bb9-2c952197b1a9?ui=en-US&rs=en-GB&ad=GB&fromAR=1

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

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

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,178,498 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement