Writers often turn to the em dash (—) and en dash (–) to enhance their prose, adding both style and clarity. However, until recently, typing these slightly longer characters on Windows has posed a challenge. Fortunately, the latest Windows Insider builds in the Dev and Beta channels have introduced a new feature that simplifies this process through intuitive keyboard shortcuts, even for those without a number pad.
New Keyboard Shortcuts for Dashes
Once activated, users can easily type the desired dash by using the following shortcuts:
- Windows key + dash key (-) for an en dash
- Windows key + Shift + dash key (-) for an em dash
While these shortcuts are currently available only in Insider builds—specifically, Dev channel build 26200.5761 or higher and Beta channel build 26120.5770 or higher—anticipation is high that Microsoft will roll them out to the general public in future updates. To utilize these features, users must first enable the shortcuts via ViveTool, a free utility designed to activate hidden Windows features that are still in testing phases.
Activating the Shortcuts
To get started, ensure you are running the latest Beta or Dev channel build. You can verify your build number by executing the winver command. If you’re not yet part of the Insider program, joining is straightforward: navigate to Settings → Windows Update → Windows Insider Program, click Get Started, and select either the Beta or Dev channel. Keep in mind that Insider builds may contain bugs and stability issues not present in the stable release version.
Next, download the latest version of ViveTool and unzip it to a convenient location on your C drive—many users opt for C:vive. Then, open an elevated command prompt by searching for “cmd” in the Windows search bar and selecting the option to Run as Administrator.
In the command prompt, navigate to the folder where you extracted ViveTool:
cd C:vive
To activate the dash creation shortcuts, enter the following command:
vivetool /enable /id:58422150
After executing this command, simply reboot your PC, and you’ll be ready to utilize the new shortcuts. Special thanks to Windows Insider expert phantomofearth for uncovering and sharing the necessary ID number.
Alternative Methods for Dashes
If you’re not using a Windows Insider build, there are still alternative methods to type em and en dashes. For those equipped with a number pad, the following ALT codes can be effective:
- ALT + 0150 for an en dash
- ALT + 0151 for an em dash
However, this method does not apply to the number keys located above the QWERTY row. For users without a numeric keypad or those who prefer a more visual approach, installing Microsoft PowerToys and enabling the Quick Accent feature can be beneficial.
With Quick Accent activated, simply hold down the dash key and press the spacebar simultaneously while typing. A selection bar will appear, allowing you to choose between various symbols, including the en and em dashes. Although this method may be somewhat slower, it highlights the convenience that the new keyboard shortcuts promise for writers. Just remember, sometimes a simple comma can suffice where a dash might seem tempting.
