How to Draw Lines in Microsoft Word

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This wikiHow teaches you how to draw inside of a Microsoft Word document. You can do this on both Windows and Mac versions of Word.

Steps

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    Double-click the Word icon, which resembles a white "W" on a dark-blue background. [1]
    • If you want to draw on an existing document, double-click the document instead, then skip the next step.
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    It's in the upper-left side of the window. Doing so will open a brand-new document. [2]
    • If you're on a Mac, a new, blank document will likely load by default. If so, skip this step.
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    This option is in the left side of the blue ribbon that's at the top of the Word window. Clicking it causes a toolbar to display below the blue ribbon. [3]
    • If you're on a Mac, make sure you click Insert in the blue ribbon and not in the menu bar.
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    It's in the "Illustrations" section of the Insert toolbar. Clicking Shapes prompts a drop-down menu. [4]
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    In the "Lines" heading, select a line type from the drop-down menu by clicking on it.
    • You can select a pre-determined line by clicking one of the straight line icons or select the "freeform line" by clicking on the squiggly line icon on the far-right under the "Lines" heading.
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    Click and drag to draw, then release the mouse button to cement the shape. [5]
    • You can click and drag the line around after it's cemented.
    • To delete a line, click it to select it and then press the Delete key.
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    To add another line once the one you created is cemented, simply select a line template from the Shapes menu and repeat the drawing process. [6]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I keep the line horizontal? I only want to place a short line for a signing position.
    Community Answer
    If you're talking about keeping a line level while drawing it, press and hold the shift key while you draw the line.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 29
  • Question
    How do I draw lines on a phone?
    Community Answer
    With Word 2016 for iPhone you would click on the three dots on the right over the keyboard. Then on the left (where it says "Home"), go to "Insert." Then choose "Shapes" and the line you want.
    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 5
  • Question
    Can I draw several lines without going back and forth to the insert shapes drop-down?
    Community Answer
    Draw one line, then copy that line and paste it. Modify as/if you wish, then again paste, and so on.
    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
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-document-28508ada-9a3c-4333-a17b-cb29723eb64c
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-document-28508ada-9a3c-4333-a17b-cb29723eb64c
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-shapes-0e492bb4-3f91-43b5-803f-dd0998e0eb89
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-shapes-0e492bb4-3f91-43b5-803f-dd0998e0eb89
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/draw-or-edit-a-freeform-shape-44d7bb9d-c05c-4e1c-a486-e35fc322299b
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-drawing-to-a-document-348a8390-c32e-43d0-942c-b20ad11dea6f

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open a new Microsoft Word document .
      2. Click Insert
      3. Click Shapes
      4. Click a line type .
      5. Click and drag your cursor over your document.

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