Office for Mac Issues

Fix Em Dash Shortcut Not Working in Word for Mac

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to type an em dash using the standard macOS keyboard shortcut in Microsoft Word.

How to Fix Em Dash Shortcut Not Working in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS 14.4
Scenario: Typing technical communication documents that require accurate typographical punctuation like the em dash.
Observed behavior: The Option+Shift+Hyphen shortcut works in Excel, PowerPoint, and other Mac applications, but stopped working in Word after updating to version 16.83.

Before you start

Verify that your Mac keyboard input source is set to your preferred standard language (e.g., U.S. English), as different regional layouts can change default keyboard shortcut mappings.

Solution 1Recommended

Insert the Em Dash via the Advanced Symbol Menu

Use Word's built-in symbol menu as a reliable workaround when keyboard shortcuts are affected by software update bugs.

Software updates, such as version 16.83, can sometimes temporarily break specific keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Word. Using the manual insertion method ensures you can still add correct typographical characters to your document without interrupting your workflow.

Open the Insert Menu

Navigate to the top menu bar in Microsoft Word and click on 'Insert'.

Navigate to Advanced Symbols

Select 'Symbol' from the dropdown menu, then click on 'Advanced Symbol...' to open the character dialog box.

Select Special Characters

Click on the 'Special Characters' tab within the Symbol dialog box.

Insert the Em Dash

Locate and highlight 'Em Dash' from the list, then click the 'Insert' button to add it to your document.

Shortcut Reference: You can also check if a different shortcut is listed next to the Em Dash in the Special Characters menu, which might explain the change.

Solution 2

Manually Reassign the Em Dash Keyboard Shortcut

Re-bind the Option+Shift+Hyphen shortcut directly within Word's customization settings to override the bug.

Solution 3

Set Up macOS Text Replacement

Use the macOS system-level text replacement feature to automatically convert double hyphens into an em dash across all apps, including Word.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Avoid Update Bugs with WPS Office for Mac

Tired of software updates breaking your essential shortcuts and disrupting your workflow? WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly stable alternative to Microsoft Office. It fully supports standard macOS keyboard shortcuts, ensuring your typographical formatting remains smooth and reliable.

1. Download WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite for Mac from the official website.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx files seamlessly without format loss.
3. Type Normally: Use the standard Option+Shift+Hyphen shortcut to instantly insert an em dash without unexpected errors.

Completely free and lightweight office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsStandard Mac keyboard shortcuts work flawlessly without bugsFamiliar user interface for a seamless, zero-learning-curve transition

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard keyboard shortcut for an em dash on a Mac?

The standard macOS keyboard shortcut for an em dash is Option + Shift + Hyphen. For an en dash, it is Option + Hyphen.

Why does the em dash shortcut work in Excel but not in Word?

Different Office applications handle text input and shortcuts independently. A specific software update (such as Word version 16.83) can introduce a bug or override a shortcut exclusively within Word, leaving Excel and PowerPoint unaffected.

How can I insert an em dash if my keyboard shortcut is broken?

You can manually insert an em dash by navigating to Insert > Symbol > Advanced Symbol > Special Characters in the top menu, selecting Em Dash, and clicking Insert.

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