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Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
By Donna Clayton
- Click Tools in the Menu Bar.
- Click Options
- Click on Auto Format
- Click Auto Format As You Type
- Tick off box that changes double hyphens to an em dash.
- Then click tab Auto Format tab
- Tick off the appropriate box
You must make the change in both places.
Editor’s Note:
On Windows (using numeric keypad)
-
- Hold down the Alt key.
- Type 0151 on the numeric keypad.
- Release the Alt key to insert the em dash.
On a Mac
-
- Hold down the Option key.
- Press the hyphen key to insert an em dash.
See ASCII Characters for other handy tips for using symbols in your writing.
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GRAMMAR & FORMATTING
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GRAMMAR & FORMATTING MAIN PAGE
- Achieving 250 Words / 25 Lines Per Page
- And Sammy, Too? Oh, No!
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Edit Easier
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Misused Words
- Navigating In Your Novel
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ONLINE SAFETY
PUBLISHING
- Agents: Knowing When To Hold One and When To Fold
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- Getting Offers from Multiple Literary Agents
- How To Market Your Book After You’ve Written It
- How to Write a Novel Synopsis
- Landing An Agent Elements Of A Winning Query
- Love to Write: Here Is How You Can Build Your Career
- Making Money As a Corporate Freelancer
- Navigating In Your Novel
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Publisher’s Websites
- Publishing, Writing Terms, Acronyms
- Rules for Writers
- Science & Science Fiction Writing Organizations
- Submission Tracking
- Syndication 101
- The Great Limbo Mystery Question
- Tightening Your Manuscript and Trimming the Word Count
- What Are Your Chances of Getting Published?
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Why E-Books?
- Write the Perfect Book Proposal
WORKSHOPS & CONFERENCES
WRITER'S LIFE
- A Dream Realized
- A Writers Dream-The Home Office
- Affirm All You Want
- Copyright Primer, Know Your Rights
- Finding Time to Write
- Finding Your Writing Compass: A Guide to Freelance Adventures
- How To Be a (Shiver) Reporter
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- Pop Quiz: Who Are You?
- Teach Yourself to Write
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
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- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writer’s Conferences Do You Really Need To Attend?
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WRITING TOOLS & APPS
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WRITING TOOLS & APPS MAIN PAGE
- And Sammy, Too? Oh, No!
- Beyond the Basics
- Changing Double Hyphens to EM Dashes in Word
- Dumb Little Writing Tricks That Work
- Finding Your Writing Compass: A Guide to Freelance Adventures
- Free AI Tools That Can Be Used In Business Writing
- Helpful Books
- High Hopes–Avoiding Common Mistakes
- Ideas Escape Me
- Knowing Your Target Audience
- Magazine Links
- Misused Words
- Path to Self-Publishing Success
- Pop Quiz: Who Are You?
- Reconsider Hand Writing
- Research Links
- Slang and Jargon Souces
- The 8 Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- Unblocking Your Muze
- Various Types of Writing for Young Writers
- What NOT to Do When Beginning Your Novel
- Why Article Writing Should Be A Part Of Your Career Development Strategy
- Word Processors Through Time: Before MS Word & Google Docs
- Working with a Critique Group
- Writing Groups List
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 1 The Story Idea
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 2 The Meat of the Story
- You Can Write A Short Story: Part 3 The Climax

