Adding horizontal lines and borders can visually break up sections of your Word documents, making the layout cleaner and more organized. But did you know that you don’t need the mouse to do it? With a few simple keyboard shortcuts in Word, you can create six different types of lines and borders without ever leaving your keyboard. Whether it’s a stylish divider or a classic solid line, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into the six quick shortcuts that’ll make you look like a Word pro.

What You’ll Learn About Keyboard Shortcuts for Lines and Borders in Word

Here’s a quick summary of the horizontal lines and borders keyboard shortcuts in Word that we’ll go over today:

  • Broken lines (asterisks)
  • Thin solid lines (hyphens)
  • Double solid lines (equal signs)
  • Thick lines (underscores)
  • Thin-thick-thin combo lines (hashtags)
  • Squiggly lines, also known as the “Charlie Brown” pattern (tildes)

How to Insert a Broken Line

To create a broken line that looks like dashes or dots in Word:

  1. Type three or more * (asterisks) in a row on a new line.
  2. Press Enter.

You’ll notice Word instantly converts this into a broken or dotted line divider. It’s great for separating sections in your document.

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Create a Thin Solid Line

Need something cleaner and simpler? Try a thin solid line with just three hyphens:

  1. Type three or more - (hyphens).
  2. Press Enter.

This creates a thin horizontal line that runs across the width of your page. Perfect for subtle dividers when you want something minimal.

Make a Double Solid Line

For more emphasis, you can add a double solid line, which brings a bit more visual weight than the thinner line. Here’s how:

  1. Type three or more = (equal signs).
  2. Press Enter.

Now you’ve got a double line that offers that extra emphasis without overcrowding the page.

Add a Thick Line

Sometimes you need just a little more presence in your line. If that’s the case, opt for a thick line instead. This can be done in Word with the following keyboard shortcut:

  1. Type three or more _ (underscores).
  2. Press Enter.

This thick line really stands out and works especially well for breaking up highly contrasting sections.

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Craft a Thin-Thick-Thin Combo Line

For a more interesting design element, there’s the thin-thick-thin combination line. It provides a bold middle line with thin edges, creating a more decorative appearance.

  1. Type three or more # (hashtags or pound signs).
  2. Press Enter.

Word will instantly turn this into a line with thin top and bottom edges and a thick middle. It adds a bit of flair without being overwhelming.

Get the “Charlie Brown” Squiggly Line

Here’s a fun one—if you want to break up content with a playful look. The squiggly line, often resembling the pattern seen on Charlie Brown’s shirt, is easy to create:

  1. Type three or more ~ (tildes).
  2. Press Enter.

This line looks like a series of squiggles and can be a fun way to separate sections while keeping the tone light.

Why Use Keyboard Shortcuts for Lines and Borders in Word Instead of the Mouse?

Keyboard shortcuts in Word for lines and borders save time and make you more efficient. Instead of navigating through Word’s toolbar every time you want to adjust a divider, these simple shortcuts allow you to add horizontal lines and borders in seconds. For anyone spending a lot of time typing, this can speed up your workflow and reduce distractions by keeping your hands on the keyboard.

Practice Makes Perfect When Using Keyboard Shortcuts for Lines and Borders in Word

Now that you know all six horizontal lines and borders keyboard shortcuts in Word, start incorporating them into your documents. Whether you’re drafting a report, typing meeting notes, or working on a personal project, these tips help cleanly break up your content. Test out each one and see which options work best for your needs.

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Conclusion

Mastering these keyboard shortcuts for creating horizontal lines and borders in Word can boost your productivity and add a professional touch to your documents—all without needing to use your mouse. Try out the different line options, from broken lines to the fun “Charlie Brown” squiggle, and see how much easier and faster your work becomes.

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