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10 Tech How-To

How to Underline Text in Microsoft Word

Guide 10-20790 · Updated · Step by step

Underlining text in Microsoft Word is a basic formatting skill that helps emphasize words, phrases, or entire paragraphs. This guide covers the quickest keyboard shortcut, the Ribbon method, and how to adjust underline styles and colors. You only need a document with some text and Word installed.

What You’ll Need

  • Microsoft Word (2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365)
  • A document with text you want to underline
  • A mouse or keyboard

Step-by-Step

  1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
  2. Select the text you want to underline. Click and drag your mouse over the text, or hold Shift and use the arrow keys to highlight it. To underline a single word, double-click it.
  3. Use the keyboard shortcut (fastest): Press Ctrl+U (Windows) or Command+U (Mac). This applies a standard single underline immediately.
  4. Alternatively, use the Ribbon: On the Home tab, in the Font group, click the U button. It toggles underlining on or off.
  5. To choose a different underline style (like double or dashed): Click the small arrow next to the U button. A dropdown menu appears. Select More Underlines at the bottom.
  6. In the Font dialog box, under Underline style, pick a style from the list (e.g., Words only, Double, Thick). You can also choose a color from the Underline color dropdown.
  7. Click OK to apply the changes.
  8. To underline spaces only (useful for fill-in-the-blank forms): Select the spaces (or a tab), then press Ctrl+U. Only the selected spaces will be underlined.
  9. To remove underlining: Select the underlined text and press Ctrl+U again, or click the U button. This toggles it off.

Common Mistakes

  • Underlining entire paragraphs when you only meant to underline a key phrase. This often happens when you forget to select text first.
  • Using underline for headings instead of bold or heading styles. Underlined headings are harder to read and look dated.
  • Underlining spaces by accident when you drag-select too much. Check your selection before pressing Ctrl+U.
  • Forgetting to turn off underline after typing. If you press Ctrl+U and start typing, the new text will be underlined. Press Ctrl+U again to stop.

Tips

  • Use the keyboard shortcut for speed. It works in most Word versions and also in other Office apps like Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Underline with style: For a professional look, use a single underline for emphasis and reserve double underlines for totals or special notes.
  • Change underline color to match your document theme. Select the text, then use the arrow next to the U button to pick a color.
  • Underline only words (not spaces) by choosing the “Words only” style in the Font dialog. This is handy for titles or captions.
  • Add a bottom border instead of underlining for a line across the page. Select the paragraph, go to Home > Borders (the square icon) and choose Bottom Border.

Troubleshooting

  • Underline doesn’t appear: Make sure you have selected text. If you’re typing and want to underline as you type, press Ctrl+U before typing. Also check that the font color isn’t white (which would make the underline invisible).
  • Underline is too close to the text: Word doesn’t offer a direct setting to change the distance. You can add a bit of space by using a bottom border on the paragraph instead, which you can adjust via Borders and Shading.
  • Underline won’t remove: Select the text and press Ctrl+U. If it still shows, check if the text has a hyperlink style (which underlines by default). To remove, right-click the link and choose Remove Hyperlink.
  • Underline style options are grayed out: This happens when your document is in compatibility mode (older .doc format). Save the document as .docx (File > Save As > Word Document) to access all features.
  • Underline prints as a solid line but shows as dashed on screen: This is a display issue. Zoom in or adjust the view to see the actual style. If it still looks wrong, try changing the underline style and back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I underline text without selecting it first?
A: Yes. Press Ctrl+U, then type. Everything you type will be underlined until you press Ctrl+U again.

Q: How do I underline a blank space for a form?
A: Select the spaces (or press Tab to create a tab character), then press Ctrl+U. Only the selected spaces will be underlined.

Q: Can I underline just the words and not the spaces between them?
A: Yes. Select the text, open the Font dialog (Ctrl+D), and under Underline style, choose “Words only”.

Q: Why is my underline a different color than my text?
A: Word allows separate underline color. Select the text, go to Font dialog, and set Underline color to match your text color (usually Automatic).

Q: How do I create a double underline?
A: Select the text, go to Font dialog (Ctrl+D), and under Underline style, choose the double line option.

Q: Is there a way to underline text in Word Online?
A: Yes. In Word for the web, select the text and click the U button on the Home tab, or press Ctrl+U. The advanced styles (like double) are not available in the free web version.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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