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How to Create Dotted or Dashed Lines in OneNote

Huma Ashraf Ch Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to draw or insert dotted and dashed lines to format and organize their OneNote pages.

How to Create Dotted or Dashed Lines in OneNote

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing note layouts, separating content, or creating custom templates within a OneNote notebook.
Observed behavior: OneNote does not provide a direct, built-in tool for drawing dotted or dashed lines, which requires users to rely on external workarounds.

Before you start

Ensure you have a word processor like Microsoft Word or WPS Writer installed or accessible via your web browser, as you will need to create the shape there first.

Solution 1Recommended

Create and Copy a Dashed Line from Word Desktop

Use Microsoft Word's robust shape formatting tools to design your line, then simply copy and paste it directly into your OneNote page.

Because OneNote shares clipboard compatibility with Microsoft Word, vector shapes created in Word will retain their formatting (including dashes and colors) when pasted into your notebook.

Insert a straight line in Word

Open a new or existing document in Microsoft Word. Navigate to the Insert tab, click on Shapes in the Illustrations group, select the straight line tool, and draw it on your document.

Format the line style

Click on the line you just drew to activate the Shape Format tab. Click on Shape Outline, navigate to Dashes, and select the dotted or dashed style you prefer.

Copy and paste into OneNote

Right-click the formatted line in Word and select Copy (or press Ctrl+C). Switch over to OneNote, right-click on the canvas where you want the line to appear, and select Paste (or press Ctrl+V).

Create and Copy a Dashed Line from Word Desktop

Pro Tip: Hold down the Shift key while drawing your line in Word to ensure it is perfectly horizontal or vertical.

Solution 2

Create a Dashed Line using Word for the Web

If you do not have the desktop version of Word installed, you can use the Drawing canvas in Word for the Web to create your dashed line.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office to Create Formatted Documents and Shapes

While OneNote lacks built-in dashed lines, creating custom shapes in a word processor is a quick and effective workaround. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that includes comprehensive shape drawing and formatting tools.

1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open a new blank Writer document to act as your canvas.
2. Insert your shape: Go to the Insert tab, click Shapes, and draw a straight line on the page.
3. Change the outline style: Select the line, go to the Shape Outline menu, choose Dashes, and pick your preferred line style.
4. Paste into OneNote: Copy the customized line from WPS Writer and paste it seamlessly into your OneNote notebook.

Free, lightweight, and easy-to-use office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx)Advanced shape formatting, including custom dashed and dotted linesFamiliar tabbed interface with zero learning curve

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type a keyboard shortcut to create a dashed line in OneNote?

No. While OneNote's AutoFormat feature allows you to create a solid horizontal separator line by typing three hyphens (-) and pressing Enter, this shortcut does not support dotted or dashed line variations.

Can I use the Draw tab in OneNote to make dashed lines?

The Draw tab in OneNote lets you draw freehand lines with various pen and highlighter tools, but it does not currently offer a specific stroke setting to automatically convert standard digital ink into perfectly uniform dashed or dotted lines.

Do I have to open Word every time I need a dashed line in OneNote?

No. Once you paste the dashed line from a word processor into OneNote for the first time, it behaves like a standard object in your notebook. You can simply copy and paste that existing line within OneNote whenever you need it again.

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