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Fix Nonbreaking Hyphen Shortcut Failing in Word Outline View
Question details
The user needs to insert a nonbreaking hyphen while working in Outline view, but the default keyboard shortcut fails to respond.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Attempting to insert a nonbreaking hyphen using the Alt+Shift+Underscore shortcut while structuring a document in Outline view.
- Observed behavior
- The shortcut does nothing in Outline view despite functioning correctly in Print Layout and Draft views. Reassigning the shortcut to different keys also fails.
Verify that your keyboard shortcut is actually failing by testing Alt+Shift+Underscore in a standard Print Layout view first to rule out any hardware keyboard issues.
Switch Document Views to Insert the Nonbreaking Hyphen
Since this is a known bug specific to Word's Outline view, the most reliable workaround is to temporarily switch document views to insert the character.
Microsoft Word currently has a recognized software defect where shortcut keys for nonbreaking hyphens fail to register in Outline view. Because reassigning custom shortcuts does not bypass this bug, you must rely on document views where the core functionality remains intact.
Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Print Layout' or 'Draft' in the Views group.
Place your cursor exactly where you need the hyphen and press Alt+Shift+Underscore to successfully insert the nonbreaking hyphen.
Once the hyphen is inserted, go back to the 'View' tab and select 'Outline' to continue structuring your document.
Insert via the Symbol Menu
Bypass the broken keyboard shortcut entirely by inserting the nonbreaking hyphen manually through the special characters menu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a nonbreaking hyphen used for in Word?
A nonbreaking hyphen prevents a hyphenated word, such as a phone number or a specific compound term, from being split across two lines at the end of a sentence. This ensures the text stays together for better readability.
Can I fix the Outline view bug by assigning a custom keyboard shortcut?
No. Reassigning the shortcut to a different key combination also fails to insert the nonbreaking hyphen in Outline view. This is due to an underlying software defect in Microsoft Word rather than a keyboard mapping issue.
Will Microsoft fix this Outline view issue in future updates?
While Microsoft frequently patches bugs in Microsoft 365, there is no guaranteed timeline for this specific defect. Submitting a report through the Help > Feedback tool within Word increases the likelihood of it being addressed.
