Office Settings & Configuration

How to Insert a Nonbreaking Hyphen with a Keyboard Shortcut in Word

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 8, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to find the new keyboard shortcut to insert a nonbreaking hyphen in Microsoft Word and wants to know how to customize the shortcut if desired.

How to Insert a Nonbreaking Hyphen with a Keyboard Shortcut in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Typing a document where a nonbreaking hyphen is required, but the traditional shortcut fails after an Office update.
Observed behavior: Pressing Ctrl+Shift+Minus activates the subscript formatting instead of inserting a nonbreaking hyphen.

Before you start

Check your current Microsoft Word version, as recent Office updates have reassigned several default keyboard shortcuts, including those for hyphens and zoom functions.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Updated Default Shortcut for Nonbreaking Hyphen

Quickly insert a nonbreaking hyphen by using the newly assigned default keyboard shortcut introduced in the recent Office update.

Position the text cursor

Place your cursor at the exact location in your Word document where you want the nonbreaking hyphen to appear.

Press the new shortcut combination

Press 'Ctrl + Shift + Underscore' simultaneously on your keyboard to insert the nonbreaking hyphen.

Use the Updated Default Shortcut for Nonbreaking Hyphen

Keyboard Note: The underscore character is typically located on the same key as the hyphen/minus sign, so you must ensure you press Shift to trigger the underscore instead of the minus sign.

Solution 2

Reassign the Shortcut Key from the Symbol Menu

Change the nonbreaking hyphen shortcut back to Ctrl+Shift+Minus or any other preferred key combination using the Special Characters menu.

Solution 3

Customize Keyboard Shortcuts via Word Options

Manage all reassigned shortcuts, such as the subscript shortcut that replaced the old hyphen shortcut, directly from Word Options.

Try WPS Office

Insert Nonbreaking Hyphens Easily in WPS Writer

Avoid the hassle of unexpected shortcut changes from software updates by using WPS Writer, a highly reliable alternative that allows you to effortlessly insert and map special characters like nonbreaking hyphens.

1. Launch WPS Writer: Open WPS Office and create a new text document or open your existing file.
2. Navigate to the Symbol menu: Click on the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and select the 'Symbol' icon.
3. Locate the Nonbreaking Hyphen: Select 'Custom Symbols' to open the symbol dialog box, and navigate to the Special Characters section.
4. Insert or assign a shortcut: Click on the nonbreaking hyphen to insert it immediately, or use the settings to assign your own permanent shortcut key for quick access.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx)Easily customizable keyboard shortcuts for uninterrupted productivityFree, lightweight, and offers a familiar interface without disruptive automatic shortcut changes

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Ctrl+Shift+Minus stop working for nonbreaking hyphens?

A recent Microsoft Office update reassigned the Ctrl+Shift+Minus shortcut to the 'Subscript' command. As a result, the default shortcut for a nonbreaking hyphen was updated to Ctrl+Shift+Underscore.

What is the purpose of a nonbreaking hyphen?

A nonbreaking hyphen is used to prevent a hyphenated word or phrase (like a phone number or a specific term) from breaking at the end of a line, ensuring the entire sequence stays together on the same line for better readability.

Can I reset all Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts to their original defaults?

Yes, you can reset all shortcuts to their default settings. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, click 'Customize' next to Keyboard shortcuts, and then click the 'Reset All' button in the Customize Keyboard dialog box.

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