Key Takeaway:
- It is important to understand the different types of dashes in Excel, such as hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes, to properly convey information and formatting.
- Inserting a hyphen in Excel can be done by using the hyphen key or through the ribbon, but it is important to use the correct type of hyphen based on the context.
- In order to insert an en dash in Excel, the en dash key or ribbon can be used. En dashes are commonly used to indicate ranges or connections between items such as dates or geographical locations.
- Em dashes can be inserted in Excel using the em dash key or ribbon. Em dashes are often used to indicate a break in thought or emphasis in a sentence.
Struggling to make sense of all the different types of dashes used in Microsoft Excel? You’re not alone. In this article, we’ll show you how to easily insert the correct dash for each of your documents.
Explanation of Hyphens, En Dashes and Em Dashes
Hyphens (-), en dashes (–), and em dashes (—) are all types of dashes used in writing. It is vital to use them appropriately. Here’s a breakdown of each one:
- A hyphen is to split words or syllables, e.g., “self-esteem” or “re-enter”.
- An en dash (–) is used for ranges such as dates, times, etc. For example, 2013–2017 or 9:00 am–5:00 pm.
- An em dash (—) can replace commas, colons and parentheses to emphasize a phrase. For example, “My friend—it turns out—has been lying to me all this time.”
Ensure there are no spaces before or after en dashes and em dashes.
Pro Tip: VBA shortcuts can be used to quickly type an en dash (–) or an em dash (—). Press “Ctrl +” followed by “-” on your keyboard for en dash, and “Ctrl + Alt + -” for em dash.
Using the right kind of dash in Excel is essential. Utilizing the wrong dash can lead to mistakes or misinterpretation of data. Up next, we’ll look into how to enter different types of dashes in Excel.
Importance of using the correct dash in specific circumstances in Excel
Using the correct dash type is important when working with Excel. It affects readability, avoids confusion and ensures consistency. It also helps differentiate between phrases, clauses, or breaks within sentences. Choosing the wrong dash type can lead to grammatical errors and lower credibility. Dash type also varies according to industry standards.
Data-driven decision-making needs attention to detail. Dash types can be inserted easily with a keystroke or input function. Making distinctions between symbols may be difficult, but understanding why they matter should make it simpler.
Pro Tip: Don’t type out dashes manually. Use shortcut keys such as “Ctrl” + “Hyphen(-)” for en-dashes or “Alt” + “Ctrl” + “Minus Sign (-)” for em-dashes.
Now that we know why choosing the correct dash symbol is so important, let’s look into how to insert hyphens in Excel programmatically.
Inserting Hyphens in Excel
Excel users know how hard it can be to do even simple tasks. Excel has changed data work, yet there are still some things we have trouble with. This article covers one of these – inserting hyphens. We’ll look at two ways – with the hyphen key and the ribbon. Let’s show you how to insert hyphens into your Excel spreadsheets like a pro!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by James Duncun
Using the hyphen key to insert a hyphen in Excel
Open a new or existing Excel file. Click the cell where you want to insert the hyphen. Type the word. Press the hyphen key (-) on your keyboard. To repeat the process, use copy and paste functions.
Hyphens make data more manageable by indicating where words should break. This improves readability and understanding. You can combine this technique with formatting options like bolding or italicizing. Streamline your Excel documents by using hyphens.
Next, learn how to add different dashes in Excel using the ribbon interface. Keep reading to find out more!
Steps to insert a hyphen in Excel using the ribbon
To insert a hyphen in Excel using the ribbon, do this:
- Open a new or existing Excel doc.
- Click on the cell where you want the hyphen.
- Navigate to the ‘Insert’ tab on the ribbon.
- Click on ‘Symbol’, in the ‘Symbols’ section.
- Find the hyphen symbol and click on it.
The hyphen appears in the selected cell. You can copy and paste it into other cells if needed.
Remember to check which cell you select before clicking on ‘Symbol’. Otherwise, the hyphen may end up in the wrong cell.
When I first used Excel, I didn’t know how to use symbols like a hyphen. It was only when someone showed me how to use the ribbon that I realized how useful it was for data entry tasks.
Now, let’s look at how to insert en dashes in Excel.
Inserting En Dashes in Excel
Formatting in Excel can be tricky to understand. Here, we’ll look at a specific type – inserting en dashes. They’re longer than hyphens and are useful for showing ranges and connections. There are two ways to add them: using the en dash key or the ribbon. Let’s begin and make formatting a breeze!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by Yuval Jones
Using the en dash key to insert an en dash in Excel
Remember: make sure your NumLock key is on.
Locate the hyphen/minus key (-) and put the cursor where you want the en dash.
Hold Alt and press 0150 on the numeric keypad. Let go of Alt. An en dash appears!
Don’t use the hyphen above the letter keys – it won’t work.
En dashes, rather than hyphens, makes a big difference in formatting for printing, publication, or academic documents. The Chicago Manual of Style suggests using en dashes for page ranges.
Fun Fact: Microsoft Excel was created in 1985 for Macs only.
Now you know how to use Alt + 0150. Let’s learn how to use the ribbon in Excel in the next section.
How to insert an en dash in Excel using the ribbon
To add an en dash in Excel, do the following:
- Open your spreadsheet and find the cell where you want to put it.
- Go to the “Insert” tab at the top.
- Select “Symbol” from the “Symbols” section.
- A new window will appear, select “More Symbols” at the bottom.
- Choose “Arial Unicode MS” or another font type supporting en dashes.
- Search or scroll down for en dash and select it.
- Click on “Insert” and you’re done!
Make sure to use a font type that supports en dashes. Otherwise, install a Unicode-compatible font. You can also insert en dashes in other ways, such as copying from Word or Google Docs, or using keyboard shortcuts.
Be consistent when using different dashes (-, —, –) to enhance readability and document quality. Now let’s move on to inserting Em Dashes in Excel!
Inserting Em Dashes in Excel
As a writer, I’m always searching for ways to make my work better. Recently, I’ve been investigating the use of dashes. Let’s focus on em dashes and how to put them in Excel. We’ll look at two ways – using the em dash key and the ribbon. Blog posts, business emails and research papers can benefit from knowing how to use this punctuation. Let’s get started and give our writing a boost!
Image credits: pixelatedworks.com by James Arnold
Using the em dash key to insert an em dash in Excel
Locate the em dash key on your keyboard. It’s usually to the right of the “0” key.
Highlight the cell or cells you want to insert the em dash in.
Hold down the ALT key and type “0151” on your numeric keypad. Make sure num lock is on and use the keypad, not the numbers above your letters.
Release the keys and the em dash will appear in your selected cell(s).
Repeat these steps for more em dashes.
Save your updated file.
Using an em dash can add emphasis or extra info to a sentence. Keep in mind not all fonts support this character, so check before you finalize the document.
Pro Tip: Set a keyboard shortcut for easy em dash insertion. Go to Excel’s customization options and click “Quick Access Toolbar.”
For those who prefer ribbons, you can also insert an em dash by following the steps in Excel’s ribbon.
Steps to insert an em dash in Excel using the ribbon
Inserting em dashes can be helpful when using Excel. Here’s how to do it using the ribbon:
- Open a new or existing Excel doc and go to the cell where you want to add the em dash.
- Click the “Insert” tab at the top of the screen.
- Find and select “Symbol,” which has a drop-down menu.
- Choose “More Symbols.”
Now that you have the right location, let’s continue.
Once you select “More Symbols,” a new window appears with extra symbol options. Select “Special Characters” and scroll down until you see “Em Dash.” Click on it, then select “Insert.” The em dash should now be in the chosen cell.
Pro tip: To save time, add an em dash button to your quick access toolbar. This way, you can insert it into any cell without navigating menus each time. To do this, right-click on the symbol in the window and select “Add to Quick Access Toolbar.”
Five Facts About Inserting Different Dashes in Excel:
- ✅ There are three types of dashes that can be inserted in Excel: hyphen (-), en dash (–), and em dash (—). (Source: Excel Easy)
- ✅ A hyphen is used to connect two words or indicate a range of numbers, while an en dash is used to show a range of values, such as dates or times. (Source: Microsoft Support)
- ✅ An em dash is used to indicate a break or interruption in a sentence, similar to a comma or parentheses. (Source: Grammarly Blog)
- ✅ To insert a hyphen, simply type the desired text with a hyphen in between. (Source: Excel Jet)
- ✅ To insert an en dash or em dash, use the “Insert Symbol” function or keyboard shortcuts. (Source: Excel Campus)
FAQs about Inserting Different Dashes In Excel
What are the different dashes that can be inserted in Excel?
There are three types of dashes that can be inserted in Excel: en dash, em dash, and hyphen. En dash is used to indicate a range or connection, em dash is used for emphasis or interruption, and hyphen is used for word-breaks or compound words.
How can I insert an en dash in Excel?
There are two ways to insert an en dash in Excel. You can either use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl” and “-” (minus) key, or type “=TEXT(1,””-“”)” in a cell and then copy and paste the en dash wherever you need it.
How can I insert an em dash in Excel?
Like en dash, there are two ways to insert an em dash in Excel. You can use the keyboard shortcut “Alt” + “Ctrl” + “-” (minus) key, or type “=CHAR(8212)” in a cell and then copy and paste the em dash wherever you need it.
What is the difference between a hyphen and a dash in Excel?
A hyphen is used to join two or more words together, whereas a dash is used to indicate a range, connection, emphasis or interruption. The two are visually different, with hyphens being shorter than the dashes.
Can I change the font and size of dashes in Excel?
Yes, just like any other text in Excel, you can change the font and size of the dashes you have inserted. Simply select the dash and change the font and/or size from the ‘Home’ tab on the ribbon.
What is the shortcut to remove dashes in Excel?
The shortcut to remove dashes in Excel is “Ctrl” + “Z” which will undo the last action, including the insertion of the dash. Alternatively, select the cells containing the dashes and press ‘Delete’ on your keyboard.
Nick Bilton is a British-American journalist, author, and coder. He is currently a special correspondent at Vanity Fair.
