This wikiHow teaches you how to add dotted or dotted lines to a Microsoft Word document. You can use quick keyboard shortcuts to add dotted lines to pages in both desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft Word. If you want to create lines of different sizes, styles, and positions, you can use the “Insert” menu to add line shapes to the document and format them in a different style.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Step 1. Open the Word document you want to edit
Find and double-click the document on your computer, or open Microsoft Word and select the document you want to edit.
- Alternatively, you can open a new document.
- You can use these keyboard shortcuts on both desktop and mobile versions of Microsoft Word.
Step 2. Click the section where you want to add a dotted line
You can create a dotted horizontal line anywhere on the document page.
Step 3. Type *** on the keyboard
This shortcut allows you to create a dotted line following the width of the page.
Alternatively, you can use the shortcut ---, ===, _, ###, or ~~~ for a different line type or style
Step 4. Press Enter. key or Return on keyboard.
A dashed horizontal line will appear on the page, following the width of the paper.
Method 2 of 3: Using the “Insert” Tool on the Desktop Version of Microsoft Word
Step 1. Open the Word document you want to edit
Find and double-click the document on your computer, or open Microsoft Word and select the document you want to edit.
Alternatively, you can open a new document
Step 2. Select the Insert tab on the toolbar
You can see this button above the toolbar panel, above the program window.
Step 3. Select Shapes on the “Insert” toolbar
These buttons look like triangles, squares, and circles on the toolbar panel. A pop-up menu containing various shapes will be displayed.
Step 4. Select the type of line you want to add first
You can create a dotted line in the next step.
Step 5. Click and draw a line on the document
After selecting a line shape, use the cursor to draw a line at the desired part of the document.
- After drawing, you can click and drag the ends of the line shapes and change their size, angle, or position.
- You can click and drag the line anywhere in the document.
Step 6. Right-click the line
The right-click options will appear in the drop-down menu.
Step 7. Click Format Shape on the right-click menu
The format pane will appear on the right side of the program window.
Step 8. Click the Dash type selector in the format panel
The dot and dash options will be displayed.
If you don't see this option, click the paint bucket icon in the top left corner of the " Format Shape " panel, then click “ Line ” in the menu to expand the options.
Step 9. Select the type of point or dotted line
The appearance of the line that you create will change according to the style of the selected dot or dash.
You can adjust the thickness (“ Width ”), transparency (“ Transparency ”), and other aspects of the line in this panel.
Method 3 of 3: Using the “Insert” Tool on Microsoft Word Mobile
Step 1. Open Microsoft Word on your phone or tablet
The icon looks like a blue and white document page. You can find it on your device's home screen or app drawer.
Step 2. Select the document you want to edit
The document will be opened afterwards.
Alternatively, you can create a new document
Step 3. Touch the “Edit” icon at the top of the screen
It's in the blue toolbar at the top of the screen. The editing menu will appear in the lower half of the device screen.
- On iPhone/iPad, this button looks like the letter " A" is white and the pencil on the toolbar is blue.
- On Android device, you can find the same icon or a white pencil icon.
Step 4. Touch the Home button
It's in the top-left corner of the toolbar menu, at the bottom of the screen. Toolbar tabs will be opened.
Step 5. Select Insert on the toolbar menu
The available options will be displayed.
Step 6. Select Shapes
A menu with all the shapes you can add will appear.
Step 7. Select the type of line you want to add
The selected line will be inserted into the document.
You can add dots or dashed designs to the lines later
Step 8. Drag the blue dots at the ends of the lines to adjust the lines (optional)
You can adjust the size and position of the line using the blue dots at either end of the line.
You can also do this after adding a dot or dash design to the line
Step 9. Touch Shape Style on the “Shape” menu
All available styles for the line will be displayed.
Step 10. Choose a dot or dash design
The display of the selected line will be changed to a dotted line. You can change the size and position of the line as you wish afterwards.
