How to Insert a Line in Word (3+ Ways)

Insert Lines in Microsoft Word Documents Using Borders

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated March 21, 2026

Applies to: Microsoft^®Word^® 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert a line in Word using the Ribbon or by using keyboard shortcuts. It's best to avoid drawing lines and instead insert border lines in Microsoft Word (normally paragraph borders) so the line or lines will move as you edit the document.

About border lines in Word
Insert a line using the Borders command in the Ribbon
Remove a line using the Borders command in the Ribbon
Insert a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box
Remove a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box
Insert a line using keyboard shortcuts
Final thoughts

Recommended article: How to Keep Text Together in Microsoft Word

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About border lines in Word

If you use borders to add lines in Word, they can be attached to paragraphs. In Microsoft Word, anything with a hard return after it is a paragraph. If you use border lines, you can customize the type of border, line thickness and color. You can also include paragraph border lines in styles so they will appear throughout your document.

If you draw lines using Insert Shapes in Word, you'll have to deal with the line being inline or floating.

Insert a line using the Borders command in the Ribbon

To insert a line in Word above and / or below a paragraph using the Borders command in the Ribbon:

Select the paragraph(s) to which you want to add a line.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
Click Borders in the Paragraph group. A drop-down menu appears.
Select the line you want to use.

Below is the Borders command in the Ribbon in Word:

Remove a line using the Borders command in the Ribbon

To remove a border line or lines from one or more paragraphs using the Borders command in the Ribbon:

Select the paragraph(s) with the border lines you want to remove.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon and then click Borders. A drop-down menu appears.
Choose No Border from the drop-down menu.

Insert a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box

You can apply a line or custom border lines to one or more paragraphs using the Borders and Shading dialog box.

To insert a line in Word above and / or below a paragraph using the Borders and Shading dialog box:

Select the paragraph(s) to which you want to add a line.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
Click Borders in the Paragraph group. A drop-down menu appears.
Select Borders and Shading. A dialog box appears.
Select a border style, color and width.
Click between the guides in the sample area on the right (above or below the sample).
Click Options (if required), enter any offset amounts to control the distance between the line and the paragraph and click OK.
In Apply to, ensure Paragraph is selected.
Click OK.

Below is the Borders and Shading dialog box where you can add a line or lines to paragraphs:

Remove a line using the Borders and Shading dialog box

To remove a line or lines from one or more paragraphs using the Borders and Shading dialog box:

Select the paragraph(s) with the lines you want to remove.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon and click Borders. A drop-down menu appears.
Select Borders and Shading. A dialog box appears.
Click None in the Setting area.
In Apply to, ensure Paragraph is selected.
Click OK.

Insert a line using keyboard shortcuts

You can also insert a horizontal line using keyboard shortcuts (which insert border lines as AutoCorrect entries).

Type the following characters and then press Enter or Return to insert lines:

To insert a plain single line, type three hyphens (—).
To insert a plain double line, type three equal signs (===).
To insert a dotted line, type three asterisks (***).
To insert a bold single line, type three underlines (___).
To insert a wavy line, type three tildes (~~~).
To insert a triple line, type three number signs or hash tags (###).

To remove these lines, select the paragraph with the line, click the Borders button on the Home tab and select No Border.

Final thoughts

The Borders and Shading dialog box allows users to customize the type of border line, the weight and color. It is typically the best tool to use if you want to add border lines in Word.

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How to Insert a Line in Word (3+ Ways)

Insert Lines in Microsoft Word Documents Using Borders