Underline

Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope

An underline may refer to any of the following:

Underlined word in blue lettering.

1. An underline is a section of text in a document where the words have a line running beneath them. For example, this text should be underlined. Underlined text is commonly used to help draw attention to text. Today, underlines are commonly used to represent a hyperlink on a web page.

What is the underline key?

There is no underline key on any computer keyboard. However, some users may refer to the underscore key as the underline key. For steps to underline text, continue reading the following sections.

Create underlined text in HTML

To create an underline in HTML (hypertext markup language), use the <u> tag or CSS (cascading style sheets). However, as mentioned earlier, realize most people relate an underline to a hyperlink, and any other underlined text may be confusing.

<u>This text should be underlined</u>

Create underlined text in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word

Bold italic underline

Below are the general steps to create underlined text in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice Writer.

  1. Highlight the text you want to be underlined.
  2. Click the U button, often next to the B and I buttons for bold and italic, as shown in the picture.
Tip

The keyboard shortcut to make text underlined is often Ctrl+U on a PC and Command+U on a Mac.

How to remove an underline in a word processor

Below are the steps to remove the underline from text in a word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice Writer.

  1. Highlight all or some text that is underlined.
  2. Click the U button, often next to the B and I buttons for bold and italic, as shown in the picture.
Tip

The keyboard shortcut to make text underlined is often Ctrl+U on a PC and Command+U on a Mac.

Why might an underline be used?

Below are a few examples of why and when the tilde is used.

  1. On the Internet, underlined text indicates a hyperlink.
  2. An underline may emphasize or draw attention to text. For example, a document with an underlined title or headings is not uncommon.
  3. Indicate the letter (mnemonic) used in a keyboard shortcut. For example, the "F" in "File" may be shown as "File." The underlined "F" indicates the keyboard shortcut is most likely Alt+F.
  4. When capitalization is important, a capital letter may be underlined to indicate it's important to use the uppercase version of the letter.

Is an underline a form of punctuation?

The underline and the underscore character sometimes used to create an underline is not punctuation.

Spellcheck underlines

2. A line can also be a wavy-colored underline to help point out errors in a document. Pictured here are three different colored underlines in a Microsoft Word document. Red underlines indicate spelling errors, green underlines are grammar errors, and blue underlines indicate inconsistent formatting.

Tip

With the wavy green line, if you right-click the green line and click About This Sentence, you'll be given further information about the grammar error.

BIU, Bold, Font, Italic, Line, Regular, Text effects, Typography terms, Underscore, Word processor terms