![]() ![]() Use your word processor’s built-in autocorrect function. For these programs, try one of the options that follow. Note: Keyboard shortcuts using Unicode character codes don’t work in Scrivener, Gmail, or Google docs. You can look up other Unicode character codes here. Most compact PC laptop keyboards won’t allow you to use Alt codes to create em dashes and en dashes, but you can use Unicode character codes in most instances: With this set-up, there are no problems creating em and en dashes in my usual way-using Alt codes.īut what if you prefer to use your laptop on-the-go, as it’s intended? Read on… 3. This option will only be appealing to you if you tend to use your laptop like a desktop.įor editing documents, I like to plug my laptop into a massive monitor and attach a wireless mouse and full-size keyboard, complete with a number keypad.Īlternatively, you can plug in a portable USB number keypad and use your laptop keyboard and touchpad. Plug in a full-size external keyboard or keypad. My usual keyboard shortcuts don’t work on my portable laptop, though. Em dash (-): Shift-Alt-hyphen or Command + M.On a regular-size keyboard with a number keypad, I can use keyboard shortcuts to create em dashes and en dashes: (You know there are three kinds of dashes in written English, right? Use them correctly in your writing and you will impress a copyeditor!) 1. It’s a marvel of a machine except for one thing: because it doesn’t have a numeric keypad (less keyboard = better portability), I cannot create em dashes (-) and en dashes (–) in my usual way. The most recent update, with contributions from Jessica Lau, was in January 2023.I have all-in-one laptop that weighs the same as a tablet. This article was originally published in October 2020. Now go forth and fill your work with far too many of them. For now, though, I hope these tips helped you type em (and en) dashes. I sincerely hope that, someday in the near future, Microsoft will make a change to its operating system that makes this article completely useless. For example: The office is open Monday–Friday.Ĭonsidering there are significant differences between an em and en dash, it really shouldn't be this hard to type them using only a keyboard. For example: A notebook, pen, and laptop-these were all in my welcome kit! The em dash (-) is used to separate extra information or mark a break in a sentence. My editor made me add this, so really quickly, here's the difference between an em and en dash: If most of your writing happens in Google Docs, good news: Google Docs has an autoreplace feature, which you could use instead of a system-wide tool. ![]() Install the app, then make a phrase that creates your desired dash. PhraseExpress, which is free for personal use, works quite well for this. You can also set up a rule to quickly make dashes. It's a great time saver, particularly if there are things you wind up sharing with coworkers, customers, or potential dates multiple times a day. These apps automatically replace custom keywords with whatever you want. But text expansion apps are a better tool for the job. You could leave your notepad open with an em dash to copy and paste as needed-that's what my editor used to do when she had a PC. Windows doesn't offer a quick way to make these dashes, so you'll have to add your own. Create the long dash symbol using autoreplace software For now, though, let's check out some potential alternatives. Why doesn't Microsoft make this a system-wide setting in Windows? I don't know, and you should ask them, on Twitter, daily. Again, Microsoft Office apps should figure out what you want and insert the correct dash. And if you want an en dash, surround a single dash with spaces between two words, like - this. Put two dashes between two words, like-this, and the app will understand you mean to insert an em dash. If you're working in Microsoft Office apps like Word or Outlook, there's another option. While this only gives me a slight headache, I'm somehow even more annoyed than before. ![]()
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