When you type three or more hyphens in a row in Microsoft Word, a long horizontal line appears. Maybe your intention is to insert this line, or maybe it’s a mistake.
In any case, whatever your intention, we will show you how to remove a horizontal line that appears automatically in Word. And so that you are covered, we will explain how to do it once, prevent it from happening in the future and then insert horizontal line manually.
How to Delete a Single Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word
Follow these steps if you want to make a single deletion of that horizontal line that appears automatically.
- Place the cursor on the line just above the horizontal line.
- Go to the tab Beginning.
- Click the drop down arrow Edges in the section Paragraph from the ribbon and choose No border.
And that’s it! That horizontal line should disappear as quickly as it appeared.
How to Disable Automatic Horizontal Line in Word
You may want a horizontal line to never appear when you type three or more hyphens. This is a simple setting that you can disable in Word.
- In Windows, go to File > Choices > Revision. On Mac, go to Word > preferences in the menu bar.
- Please select AutoCorrect Options (Auto correction on Mac).
- Please select AutoFormat as you type on top.
- On Apply as you type, uncheck the box for Border lines.
- Click on To accept on Windows and close the window on Mac, and your change will take effect.
Now you no longer have to worry about the appearance of automatic horizontal lines.
How to Manually Insert a Horizontal Line in Microsft Word
If you decide to disable the automatic horizontal line and want to insert one, you can do it manually.
- Place your cursor where you want the horizontal line to appear.
- Go to the tab Beginning.
- Click the drop down arrow Edges from the ribbon and select Horizontal line.
The horizontal line will appear in your document on the line below your cursor. If you want to format the line, select it and use the ribbon tools on the Home tab.
Control automatic horizontal line in Word
Although it may be convenient for that horizontal line to appear if you are looking for a way to separate sections in your document, it may also be inconvenient for that line to appear if that is not your intention. But now you know how to get rid of it once and for all.
