How to Add a Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word: Step-by-Step

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Draw or type lines in Microsoft Word
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Do you want to create a horizontal line in your Microsoft Word document? You can use the Shape tool, Borders tool, or a keyboard shortcut to add a line in Word. Lines can be used to separate text or provide a blank space for sign-in sheets. Here's how to insert a line in Word using your Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android device.

Adding a Line in Microsoft Word

To insert a Line in Word, select the Shapes icon on the Insert tab. Select a line type, and then click and drag your cursor to draw the line. Alternatively, type three dashes (---) and hit Enter to add a line with AutoFormat.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Shapes to Draw a Line

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  1. This tab is in the blue ribbon at the top of the Word window, between Home and Draw .
  2. It's in the Insert toolbar, next to the icon of an overlapping circle and square.
    • A drop-down menu will appear.
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  3. In the Lines heading, click one of the line templates. You can choose a line, line arrow, double line arrow, and more.
  4. Click and drag across the document to create your line.
    • If you need to adjust the line's length and orientation, select the line. 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, click and drag it to the desired position.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Borders to Add a Line

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  1. 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.
  2. This is next to the icon of the dotted square with a solid bottom line.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  3. This will be towards the bottom, above Draw Table .
    • A horizontal line will be added.
  4. 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.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

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  1. 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 .
  2. Use your dash key on the number row at the top of your keyboard, or on the numeric pad.
  3. 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.
  4. 4
    If you don't have AutoCorrect enabled, do the following:
    • Click File .
    • Click Options .
    • Click Proofing .
    • Click AutoCorrect Options .
    • Click the AutoFormat As You Type' tab.
    • Check the box for Border lines .
    • Click OK .
    • If you want to turn off AutoCorrect , uncheck the boxes.
  5. There are a variety of different lines that you can create by using characters other than the dash: [1]
    • 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 (~).
  6. 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.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using the Mobile App

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  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. On Android, this may look like an arrow.
    • 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.
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Community Q&A

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  • 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.
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    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.
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    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
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      References

      1. ↑ 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.

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