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I write blog posts, and I often need to type en-dash (–) and sometimes em-dash (—) in my blog posts. Currently I keep these characters saved in a text file, and copy-paste them whenever I need them. Unnecessary to say, it is a headache to move between keyboard and mouse when you type large texts.

It would be better for me if there ware a keyboard shortcuts available for these two characters. Is there a way to type en-dash and em-dash in Windows? I use Windows 7 and Windows 8 in different computers.

Here's an aligned comparison of dashes, if you need to see the difference for some reason.

  1. Here's-dash
  2. Here's–en-dash
  3. Here's—em-dash
sampathsris
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6 Answers6

38

If you have a numpad, turn numlock on and use Alt + 0150 for en-dash and Alt + 0151 for em-dash. That is keep Alt pressed and type the numbers on the numeric keypad.

EDIT: As @gronostaj points out, this works only with the left Alt key.

Yisroel Tech
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Vamsi
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For anyone looking for a slightly faster (although not-native) solution, I have made an AutoHotKey program that lets you type Em and En dashes somewhat naturally. I really made it for myself, but it's on Github if anyone's interested.

It's called Em-n-en.

The entire point of this program is to allow a user to quickly insert an em/en dash by typing ==- (Em dash) or --= (En dash). There are other methods for inserting the dashes - these are covered in the program itself. Note that this only works on windows.

Hopefully this is helpful! :)

Jason Cemra
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9

As of Windows 10 Version 1903, you can enter en-dash, em-dash, and various other symbols in a much simpler way using the updated Emoji panel:

Just type Win + . (or Win + ;) and select the omega symbol on the top of the panel.

If you don't want to take your hands off the keyboard, you can select the omega symbol using TAB and arrow keys.

rolve
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2

To find any character you need, use "Character Map" - note the text in the lower right corner.
Note also that the availabilty of a character depends on the typeface (Font) that you have active.

WindowsXP version

You use Character map to find out which character and what "Keystroke" (above) it can be generated with. Then you do not need Character map any more - assumed you can remember the number or keys to type/use. Note that some are available also with Alt/Shift/Control - as in Alt+Space == either of Em or En space (can't remember which it is right now and no W-computer to try it out on).

Hannu
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0

As an alternative way, you can use a clipboard manager like ClipX with the "Stickies" plugin. If you store proper en dash into the list, entering it is just Ctrl+Alt+V (or whatever shortcut is configured to show the list) followed by A.

Borek Bernard
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Via AutoHotKey:

Create a script like dashes.ahk somewhere on your computer:

; en dash
::--::–

; bonus point: em dash
::---::—

Make sure it's stored as UTF-8 with BOM. Double click it and try typing -- followed by space somewhere; it will replace it with n-dash.

Similarly for m-dash.

Borek Bernard
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