How to Insert Non-Breaking Spaces and Hyphens in Microsoft Word

When typesetting professional reports, legal contracts, or formal publications in Microsoft Word, automatic text justification and line wrapping can inadvertently fracture compound phrases. A currency figure might split so that the symbol remains on one line while the numeric sum drops to the next (e.g. £1,000), or a person’s title might be separated from their surname. Similarly, hyphenated phone numbers or product codes can break awkwardly across margins. Microsoft Word provides non-breaking characters to bind adjacent terms permanently together on the same line.

Inserting a Non-Breaking Space

A non-breaking space (also known as a hard space or fixed space) prevents Word from wrapping a line between two words or symbols:

1. Position your blinking cursor exactly where the space should reside (for example, between 15 and October, or between Chapter and 4).
2. If a normal space already exists, press Backspace to remove it.
3. Press the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Spacebar on Windows, or Command + Shift + Spacebar (or Option + Spacebar) on macOS.

Word inserts an invisible locking space. When paragraph text reflows or margins change, the two connected words will always migrate together as a unified block to the next line rather than separating.

Inserting a Non-Breaking Hyphen

Standard hyphens (-) are interpreted by Word’s typography engine as permissible line-break opportunities. To prevent compound expressions—such as ISO-9001, A-4, or toll-free telephone numbers—from dividing across a line end:

1. Place your cursor where the hyphen belongs.
2. Press the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Hyphen (the minus key) on Windows, or Command + Shift + Hyphen on macOS.
3. Word inserts a dedicated non-breaking hyphen glyph (Unicode U+2011).

The hyphenated phrase will now remain glued together on one line under all formatting conditions.

Viewing Non-Breaking Characters with Formatting Marks

Because non-breaking characters appear visually identical to standard spaces and hyphens during normal editing, you can reveal hidden typesetting marks to verify their placement:

1. On the Home tab of the Word ribbon, click the Show/Hide ¶ button in the Paragraph group (or press Ctrl + * on Windows / Command + 8 on macOS).
2. Inspect your document:
   • A standard space appears as a small centred dot (·).
   • A non-breaking space appears as a distinct degree symbol or small circle (°).
   • A non-breaking hyphen appears slightly longer with a fixed typographical anchor.

Inserting via the Symbol Dialogue

If you prefer using mouse navigation rather than keyboard combinations:

1. Switch to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
2. Click Symbol > More Symbols… on the far right.
3. Select the Special Characters tab in the dialogue box.
4. Highlight Nonbreaking Space or Nonbreaking Hyphen in the character list and click Insert.