How to Make a Dashed Line in Microsoft Word

When you're ready to break up a Microsoft Word document, put text in a box or add some design elements, try getting in line. Use Microsoft Word's line-drawing function to add dashed lines to a document. Making a dashed line is similar to other Word tasks such as inserting images. Customize dashed lines in Word to fit each document's requirements.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Word. Click the "Insert" tab at the top of the screen.

2. Click the "Shapes" button below the "Insert" tab. Click the straight line button in the "Line" section. The cursor changes to a "+" sign.

3. Press and hold the "Shift" key. Click inside the Word document and drag the cursor to make the line. Release the "Shift" key to add a solid line to the document.

4. Click the line to select it. A new orange "Drawing Tools" tab, along with a corresponding ribbon, opens at the top of the screen.

5. Scroll through the "Shape Styles" section and click one of the dashed line options. You can also elect to change the color of the dashed line. Click one of the dashed line options to make the solid line into a dashed line.

Resources

• Microsoft Office: Getting Started with Word 2010