Office Settings & Configuration

How to Restore the Keyboard Shortcut for Optional Hyphen in Word

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 10, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to find the Word command for an optional (soft) hyphen and assign a keyboard shortcut to it, such as Ctrl+Minus.

How to Restore the Keyboard Shortcut for Optional Hyphen in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing keyboard shortcuts to quickly insert special formatting characters and improve document typing efficiency.
Observed behavior: The user is unable to locate an 'Insert Hyphen' or 'Insert Soft Hyphen' command in the standard All Commands list within the Customize Keyboard dialog box.

Before you start

Ensure you have a document open in Word so you can access the ribbon menu and the Insert tab without restrictions.

Solution 1Recommended

Assign the Shortcut via the Special Characters Tab

This is the easiest and most reliable method to assign a shortcut to an optional hyphen, bypassing the confusing All Commands list entirely.

Because the optional hyphen command isn't clearly named in the comprehensive commands list, accessing it directly through the Symbol dialog is highly recommended.

Open the Symbol Dialog

Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon. Click on 'Symbol' in the Symbols group, and select 'More Symbols' from the drop-down menu.

Locate the Optional Hyphen

In the Symbol dialog box, click on the 'Special Characters' tab at the top. Scroll through the list and click on 'Optional Hyphen' to highlight it.

Access Shortcut Key Settings

With the Optional Hyphen selected, click the 'Shortcut Key' button at the bottom of the dialog box.

Assign the Shortcut

Place your cursor in the 'Press new shortcut key' field and press your desired key combination (e.g., Ctrl+Minus). Click 'Assign' in the bottom left, then click 'Close'.

Setup Complete: Your new keyboard shortcut is now active. You can instantly insert an optional hyphen anytime you use this key combination.

Solution 2

Assign the Shortcut via Customize Keyboard Options

An alternative method using the Word Options menu to browse all internal commands, though it requires knowing the exact system command name.

Customize Shortcuts in WPS Writer

Easily Manage Special Characters with WPS Office

WPS Office provides an incredibly intuitive interface for inserting special characters and assigning customized keyboard shortcuts. It serves as a perfect alternative for document formatting with high compatibility.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open a new or existing document in WPS Writer.
2. Navigate to Custom Symbols: Go to the 'Insert' tab, click on 'Symbol', and choose 'Custom Symbol' from the menu.
3. Find the Special Character: Switch to the 'Special Characters' tab and select 'Optional Hyphen' from the provided list.
4. Assign the Keyboard Shortcut: Click 'Shortcut keys', enter your preferred combination like Ctrl+Minus, and click 'Assign' to save the setting.

Easily assign and manage custom shortcuts for optional hyphens and special charactersFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsLightweight software that runs fast on multiple devicesFamiliar ribbon interface ensures zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an optional (soft) hyphen in a document?

An optional hyphen, also known as a soft hyphen, is an invisible marker that tells the word processor where a word can be divided if it happens to fall at the end of a line. If the word doesn't need to be broken across lines, the hyphen remains hidden.

Why can't I find the optional hyphen in the All Commands list?

In many versions of Word, the command for the optional hyphen is not explicitly labeled as 'Insert Hyphen' or 'Insert Soft Hyphen' in the All Commands list. Instead, it is named 'OptionalHyphen', which makes it easy to miss during a manual search.

How do I view hidden optional hyphens I've inserted?

To see optional hyphens that aren't positioned at the end of a line, you must turn on formatting marks. Go to the Home tab and click the paragraph symbol (Show/Hide ¶), or press Ctrl+Shift+8.

Can I assign a different shortcut instead of Ctrl+Minus?

Yes, when you access the Shortcut Key settings, you can press any unassigned key combination you prefer. If the combination is already assigned to another function, Word will display its current assignment so you can decide whether to overwrite it.

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