A punctuation mark such as a dash is often ignored by many people. The dash serves different purposes and comes in different sizes. The most commonly used dash (-) and em dash (-); the middle dash equals the letter "n" and the em dash equals the letter "M". Such dashes are used to indicate explanatory text, the beginning of a dialogue, and more. Please note that in most cases the middle dash is used in Russian, while the middle and em dash are used in English.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Microsoft Word
Step 1. Open a Word document
Place the cursor where you want to enter a dash. Then use one of the following keyboard shortcuts.
Typically, an em dash is used to denote a range of numbers, and an em dash is used for explanatory text (that is, an em dash acts as parentheses, but emphasizes the explanatory text more)
Step 2. Enter a middle dash
Hold Ctrl and then click - on the numeric keypad. A dash will appear on the screen.
Step 3. Enter an em dash
Hold Ctrl + Alt and then press - on the numeric keypad. An em dash will appear on the screen.
Method 2 of 5: Windows Alt codes
Step 1. Use this method in any text box on Windows
Almost every version of Windows supports Alt codes. These codes are combinations of numbers and are used in all text fields to enter special characters, including the em dash and the em dash.
If you are using a laptop, first press the NumLock key to activate the number pad. Remember that if you press the number keys at the top of the keyboard, no special characters will be entered
Step 2. Enter a middle dash
Hold Alt, then press 0150 on the numeric pad, and then release Alt. A middle dash appears where the cursor is.
Step 3. Enter an em dash
Hold Alt, then press 0151 on the numeric pad, and then release Alt. An em dash appears where the cursor is.
Method 3 of 5: Mac OS X
Step 1. Use this method in any text field on Mac OS X
Almost every version of OS X supports keyboard shortcuts that can be used in text editors or text fields.
Step 2. Enter a middle dash
Hold ⌥ Option and press - on the numeric pad. A dash will appear on the screen.
Step 3. Enter an em dash
Hold down the ⌥ Option + ⇧ Shift keys and press - on the number pad. An em dash will appear on the screen.
Method 4 of 5: Linux
Step 1. Use the codes to enter a dash
Linux supports four-digit numeric codes that you can use to enter special characters. To activate code entry, place the cursor where you want to enter a dash, and then press Ctrl + ⇧ Shift + U. An underlined “u” will appear on the screen. Then enter the desired code.
- To enter a dash, press 2013 and then press ↵ Enter.
- To enter an em dash, press 2014 and then press ↵ Enter.
Step 2. Use the Compose key
If your keyboard does not have such a key, assign a specific key as the Compose key, which you can use to enter special characters. Select a key that is not normally used.
- To assign a key as the ⎄ Compose key, open the Preferences utility and choose Keyboard Layout. Click Options and assign a specific key with the ⎄ Compose key.
- To enter a dash, press ⎄ Compose, then press -.
- To enter an em dash, press ⎄ Compose and then press ---
Method 5 of 5: HTML
Step 1. Open your HTML editor
You can use special HTML codes to display a dash on a web page. There are two methods that will result in the same and not browser dependent. To make the code easier to read, it is better to use the second method.
Step 2. Enter a middle dash
To display a dash on a web page, enter “-” or “-”.