Unlock the Power of En and Em Dashes in windows: A Extensive Guide
Do you find yourself frequently needing en dashes (-) or em dashes (-) in your writing? These versatile punctuation marks can add nuance and clarity to your work, but accessing them on a windows keyboard hasn’t always been straightforward. Fortunately, recent developments offer several solutions, from hidden Windows features to helpful software tools. Let’s explore how you can easily incorporate these valuable dashes into your workflow.
The Windows Insider Shortcut: A Quick Solution
A recent finding within Windows Insider builds provides a remarkably simple method. It involves enabling a hidden feature using the command line. This unlocks dedicated keyboard shortcuts for both en and em dashes,streamlining your writing process.
First, you’ll need to open an elevated command prompt. This grants the necessary permissions to modify system settings. You can do this by searching for “cmd” in the Windows search bar, right-clicking on “command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
Next, navigate to the directory where you’ve downloaded ViveTool, if you’ve used it before. A common location is C:vive. Use the following command:
cd C:vive
Then, activate the dash creation shortcuts with this command:
vivetool /enable /id:58422150
reboot your computer. After restarting, the new shortcuts will be active, allowing you to effortlessly insert en and em dashes directly into your documents.
Alternative Methods: When the Shortcut Isn’t Available
If you aren’t running a Windows Insider build, don’t worry. Several alternative methods allow you to create en and em dashes. Let’s look at a couple of options.
Using Alt Codes:
A classic technique involves using Alt codes with your numeric keypad. Remember, this only works with the number pad, not the number keys above the letters. En Dash: Hold down the Alt key and type 0150 on your numeric keypad.
Em Dash: Hold down the Alt key and type 0151 on your numeric keypad.
Leveraging Microsoft PowerToys:
If you lack a numeric keypad or prefer a more visual approach, Microsoft PowerToys offers a fantastic solution. This free utility suite includes a feature called Quick accent.
First, download and install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store. Then, enable Quick Accent within the Input / Output settings.Once enabled, hold down the dash key (-) and press the spacebar. A pop-up menu will appear, displaying various symbols, including the en and em dashes. Simply press the spacebar again to cycle through the options and select the dash you need.This method, while effective, can be slightly slower than the dedicated keyboard shortcuts.However, it provides a convenient alternative for those who don’t have access to the Windows Insider feature or prefer not to memorize Alt codes.
Ultimately, having quick access to en and em dashes can considerably enhance your writing. Whether you choose the Windows Insider shortcut, Alt codes, or Microsoft PowerToys, you’ll be well-equipped to add precision and style to your documents. Remember to use these dashes thoughtfully – a comma frequently enough serves the same purpose and can be more appropriate in certain contexts.
