How to Fix the “Em Dash Shortcut Not Working in Word” Issue?

Microsoft Word offers several smart typing shortcuts that help users write faster and more professionally. One such feature is the em dash shortcut, which usually works by typing two hyphens followed by a space or another character. However, many users face a frustrating situation where this shortcut suddenly stops working. If you rely on proper punctuation for writing articles, reports, or academic documents, this issue can slow you down and affect formatting consistency.

The em dash shortcut in Word depends heavily on AutoCorrect and AutoFormat features. If these settings are turned off or modified, Word will not automatically replace two hyphens with an em dash. In some cases, updates, document templates, or copied formatting can silently change these preferences.

In this detailed post, you will learn how to fix the Em Dash shortcut not working in Word issue. 

How to Fix the “Em Dash Shortcut Not Working in Word” Issue?

If the Em Dash shortcut is not working in Microsoft Word, the most common causes are disabled AutoCorrect settings, incorrect proofing options, language mismatches, or custom keyboard shortcuts overriding the default behavior. You can fix this issue by enabling AutoFormat As You Type, resetting AutoCorrect options, checking proofing language settings, or manually assigning an em dash shortcut in Word.

Now, let us move on to the practical solutions.

Step :1 Check AutoCorrect Settings in Microsoft Word

The most common reason the em dash shortcut fails is that AutoCorrect is disabled or partially turned off.

Open Microsoft Word and click on the File menu located in the top left corner. From there, select Options to open the Word Options window. Inside this window, click on Proofing from the left panel. Now select AutoCorrect Options.

A new dialog box will appear. Here, ensure that Replace text as you type is enabled. This option allows Word to automatically replace specific text patterns with symbols like the em dash. If this box is unchecked, Word will treat hyphens as normal characters and will not convert them.

After enabling the option, click OK, then restart Word to ensure the settings take effect.

Step 2: Enable AutoFormat As You Type Options

Even if AutoCorrect is active, Word also needs AutoFormat As You Type to be enabled for punctuation replacements.

Go back to File, then Options, and open the Proofing section again. Click on AutoCorrect Options, then switch to the AutoFormat As You Type tab.

Look for the setting related to replacing hyphens with dashes. Make sure all relevant formatting options are enabled, especially those related to automatic symbol replacement. These options allow Word to recognize when two hyphens should be converted into an em dash while typing.

Once enabled, confirm your changes and close all dialog boxes.

Step 3: Verify the Proofing Language Settings

Sometimes the em dash shortcut does not work because the document language is set incorrectly. Microsoft Word applies different AutoCorrect rules based on language.

Select all the text in your document by pressing Ctrl plus A. Then go to the Review tab and click on Language. Choose Set Proofing Language.

Ensure that the language is set to English or the language you normally use. Also, confirm that the option Do not check spelling or grammar is unchecked. If this option is enabled, Word disables many AutoCorrect behaviors, including smart punctuation.

Apply the correct language settings and close the window.

Step 4: Check for Custom Keyboard Shortcut Conflicts

In some cases, a custom shortcut may override Word’s default punctuation behavior.

Open Word Options again and navigate to Customize Ribbon. At the bottom of the window, click on Customize next to keyboard shortcuts. This opens the keyboard customization menu.

Search for any custom shortcuts related to punctuation or dash symbols. If you find a shortcut assigned to hyphens or dashes, it may conflict with AutoCorrect behavior. Remove or reset such shortcuts to the default.

Save your changes and restart Word.

Step 5: Reset AutoCorrect to Default Settings

If the problem persists, resetting AutoCorrect settings can often fix hidden configuration issues.

Go to AutoCorrect Options again and review any custom entries you may have added. If you notice entries that replace hyphens with other characters, delete them. You can also manually add a new AutoCorrect entry where two hyphens are replaced with an em dash character.

After making changes, restart Word and test the shortcut in a new blank document.

Step 6: Test the Shortcut in a New Document

Sometimes the issue is document-specific rather than application-wide.

Create a new blank document and type two hyphens followed by a word or space. If the em dash appears correctly, the issue lies in the original document formatting or template. In such cases, copying content into a new document without formatting often resolves the problem.

Step 7: Manually Insert an Em Dash as a Temporary Solution

While fixing the root cause, you can still insert an em dash manually.

Use the Insert tab, click Symbol, then select More Symbols. From there, choose the em dash character and insert it into your document. This method ensures correct punctuation even if shortcuts fail temporarily.

You can also memorize Word’s built-in key combination for em dash insertion if available in your version.

Faqs

Why is my em dash shortcut not working only in one document?

This usually happens due to document-specific formatting, disabled proofing, or imported styles from other files. Creating a new document often fixes the issue.

Does the em dash shortcut work the same in all Word versions?

Most modern versions of Microsoft Word support this feature, but the settings locations may vary slightly. Updates can also reset AutoCorrect preferences.

Can templates disable the em dash shortcut?

Yes, some templates come with customized AutoCorrect and proofing settings that override default behavior.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Word fix the issue?

Reinstalling can fix the problem, but it should be considered a last resort. Most cases are resolved by adjusting AutoCorrect and proofing settings.

Is the em dash shortcut affected by typing language?

Yes, language settings directly impact AutoCorrect rules. Incorrect language selection often disables smart punctuation features.