Document Editing Problems

How to Find and Replace Nonbreaking Hyphens in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs a method to identify and replace special characters, specifically nonbreaking hyphens and en dashes, in text pasted from external applications.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Cleaning up or reformatting text copied from another program, where certain hyphenation characters do not behave normally during text selection.
Observed behavior: Characters like nonbreaking hyphens and en dashes cannot be selected or typed into the standard Find and Replace dialog conventionally, causing formatting loss when exported to programs like InDesign.

Before you start

Before running a bulk find and replace on your text, test the operation on a copied version of the document, as pasting between different applications can sometimes cause unexpected formatting shifts.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Special Character Codes in Find and Replace

Use Word's built-in special character search codes to accurately locate and replace nonbreaking hyphens and en dashes.

Microsoft Word utilizes specific keyboard shortcut codes (caret notations) to represent special typographic characters. This allows you to search for unselectable symbols directly within the Find and Replace dialog.

Launch Find and Replace

Open your Microsoft Word document and press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + H to bring up the Find and Replace dialog box.

Enter the Search Code

In the 'Find what' text field, type ^~ (caret and tilde) to search for a nonbreaking hyphen, or type ^= (caret and equals sign) to search for an en dash.

Define the Replacement

In the 'Replace with' text field, enter the standard character you want to use instead. For example, type a standard hyphen (-), a normal space, or type ^s to insert a nonbreaking space.

Apply Changes

Click 'Find Next' to replace them one by one, or click 'Replace All' to instantly change every instance of the special character throughout your document.

Using the Special Button: If you cannot remember the codes, click the 'More >>' button in the Find and Replace dialog, then click 'Special' at the bottom to select 'Nonbreaking Hyphen' or 'En Dash' from a dropdown menu.

WPS Office Word Processing

Easily Find and Replace Special Characters in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a robust Find and Replace utility that perfectly mirrors Microsoft Word's special character search codes, allowing you to clean up formatting issues quickly and efficiently.

1. Open Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the imported text.
2. Access Find and Replace: Navigate to the Home tab and click on 'Replace', or press Ctrl + H on your keyboard.
3. Input Search Codes: Type ^~ for nonbreaking hyphens or ^= for en dashes in the 'Find what' field.
4. Execute Replacement: Enter your desired replacement character and click 'Replace All'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx, .doc).Supports the exact same caret search codes (^~, ^=) for special characters.Lightweight architecture ensures fast performance on large text files.Free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Find and Replace code for an em dash?

To search for an em dash (a long dash often used to indicate pauses) in Word or WPS Writer, open the Find and Replace dialog and type ^+ in the 'Find what' box.

How do I type a nonbreaking hyphen manually?

You can insert a nonbreaking hyphen while typing by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Hyphen (-) simultaneously on your keyboard. This prevents the words on either side of the hyphen from splitting across two lines.

Why do nonbreaking hyphens disappear when imported to other software like InDesign?

Different software applications handle text encoding differently. Programs like Adobe InDesign may not recognize Word's specific background encoding for nonbreaking hyphens, causing them to be ignored or deleted during the import process. Replacing them with a standard space or hyphen before exporting prevents this issue.

Document & File Issues