How to Make an Em Dash in InDesign

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An em dash is a common character in the writer's toolbox. Many word processing programs—such as Microsoft Word—automatically convert a double-dash into an em dash. However, it takes a little bit of work to use them in InDesign, where em dashes can be created either through the use of a hot-key combination or in the user menus.

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Step 1

Place your cursor in the location where you want to use the em dash.

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Step 2

Click on "Type" in the toolbar.

Step 3

Scroll down to "insert special character" in the "type" menu.

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Step 4

A second menu will emerge from "insert special character." Select "hyphens and dashes."

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Step 5

From "hyphens and dashes," a third menu will appear. Select "em dash."

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