How to Automatically Replace Two Hyphens with an Em Dash in Microsoft Word

If you are writing a formal essay, a novel, or a journalistic article in Microsoft Word, correct punctuation is absolutely vital. One of the most common typographical errors people make is substituting a true “em dash” (—) with two standard, ugly hyphens (–). While you can manually navigate through the obscure “Insert Symbol” menus to find the proper dash, Word actually includes a brilliant AutoFormat feature that will instantly convert two hyphens into an em dash the moment you type them.

What is an Em Dash?

An em dash (named because it is roughly the same width as the capital letter “M”) is used to indicate a pause, an interruption, or an abrupt change of thought in a sentence. It is significantly longer than a standard hyphen, which is only used to connect compound words (like “well-known”).

How the AutoFormat Works

In modern versions of Microsoft Word, the AutoFormat rules are usually enabled by default, but they require a very specific typing rhythm to trigger successfully.

1. Type the first part of your sentence (e.g., The dog was barking).
2. Do not press the spacebar.
3. Type two standard hyphens consecutively (--).
4. Do not press the spacebar.
5. Immediately type the next word of your sentence (e.g., loudly).
6. Press the Spacebar (or the Enter key).

The exact millisecond you press the spacebar after the trailing word, Word will automatically delete the two hyphens and snap the text together using a perfectly formatted, elongated em dash: The dog was barking—loudly.

How to Enable the Feature if it is Broken

If you type the sequence above and the two hyphens remain stubbornly on the screen, your AutoFormat settings have likely been disabled.

1. Click on File in the top-left corner, and then select Options at the bottom of the menu.
2. Click on Proofing in the left sidebar.
3. Click the large AutoCorrect Options… button.
4. Click on the tab labeled AutoFormat As You Type.
5. Under the “Replace as you type” section, check the box labeled Hyphens (–) with dash (—).
6. Click OK twice to save your changes. The shortcut will now work flawlessly.