Software Tips & Tricks Horizontal Lines Made Easy...with Microsoft Word

By Laura Noble

Have you ever tried to draw a straight horizontal line across a page and it ends up either too short or too long? Or have you wondered how to insert a dotted line?

There is an easy method to insert horizontal lines into a Word document. These lines are useful as a divider in a memo, report, or sign, so having a quick and easy method simply makes your life less complicated.

Here’s how….

Place the cursor at the beginning of a new paragraph and press the appropriate keystrokes 3 times (see below for examples). Then press Enter, and "magic," a horizontal line will appear on your page!

This trick works in Microsoft Word. If you are having problems getting this tip to work, verify the following settings:

1. Select from the Tools menu, AutoCorrect

2. Click the AutoFormat As You Type tab

3. In the top section of the dialog box, Apply as you type, click to place a ü in the Borders box

4. Click OK.

Please note: These tricks may not work for versions prior to Word 97.

To learn how to insert "fancy" horizontal lines, open to "Fancy" Horizontal Lines in Microsoft Word 2000 and XP article.

Stay tuned to Networking Today in the coming months for more Software Tips & Tricks from Noble Software Solutions.

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Laura Noble is the owner of Noble Software Solutions. Laura can be contacted at 519-680-2689 or by e-mail at lnoble@noblesoftwaresolutions.com. www.noblesoftwaresolutions.com

Published in Networking Today, November 2000.