Create a horizontal line in Microsoft Word and OO Writer

Question

Create a horizontal line in Microsoft Word and OO Writer.

Answer

Lines can be created in Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer by using the AutoFormat feature in each of the programs. To use this shortcut, type three hyphens or other characters and press enter. For example, typing "---" and pressing enter will create a solid horizontal line and typing "===" and pressing enter will create a double solid line. In addition to the hyphen and equals sign, you can also do three underscore, tilde, asterisk, and the pound symbols. In the below picture, is an example of how each of these characters would look in Word (left-side) and Writer (right-side).

Lines in Microsoft Word and Open Office Writer

AutoFormat is not enabled

If typing three characters and pressing enter does not create a line, AutoFormat is not enabled. To enable AutoFormat follow the below steps.

Tip: To disabled this feature, uncheck the box.

Microsoft Word users

  1. Open the AutoCorrect window, under Tools.
  2. In the AutoCorrect window, click the AutoFormat as you type tab.
  3. In AutoFormat check the Borders box.

Open Office Writer users

  1. Open AutoCorrect Options, under Tools.
  2. In the Options tab check the Apply Borders box.

Additional information

  • See the line definition for further information and related links and terms.
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