Wednesday, January 7, 2026

New Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut for En and Em Dashes

New Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut for En and Em Dashes

If you write emails, reports, or headlines in Windows, you have probably fought the “how do I type a proper dash” problem. Microsoft just removed that friction with two OS-level shortcuts that work anywhere you can type, no numeric keypad required. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor
January 7, 2026


Windows 11
Have you ever paused mid-sentence to copy a dash from somewhere else because Alt codes are a hassle on a laptop keyboard? 

That tiny interruption adds up, especially if you write for a living or you care about clean typography in client-facing work. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the New Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcuts for En and Em Dashes.

Windows 11 is finally treating the en dash and em dash as first-class punctuation you can type on demand. 

New Dash Shortcuts in Windows 11

Feature Explanation

Windows 11 now supports dedicated keyboard shortcuts for inserting the en dash (Unicode U+2013) and em dash (Unicode U+2014). 

These are OS-level shortcuts, which is the important part: they are not limited to Word or a single app. 

They are meant to work across editors, browsers, email clients, and most text fields. 

The shortcuts:
  • En dash: Windows logo key + Minus (the hyphen key)
  • Em dash: Windows logo key + Shift + Minus 

Why it matters:

En dash (–) is the clean “range” mark (think dates, pages, scorelines).

Em dash (—) is the “break in thought” mark writers use for emphasis or interruption.

This update also lands at a funny cultural moment: some people claim heavy em dash usage is an “AI tell.” 

That claim is overstated, and the punctuation itself is older than any chatbot. 

The practical point is simpler: Windows is catching up on a basic writing usage. 

What You’ll Gain

Faster writing flow with fewer context switches

Cleaner ranges in business writing (dates, budgets, page spans)

Better typography in headlines, newsletters, and proposals

A reliable method on laptops without a numeric keypad 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Microsoft Web/Desktop
  1. Open any app where you can type (Notepad, Outlook, Word, Chrome, Teams, Slack).
A. Type an en dash:
    1. Hold the Windows logo key.
    2. Press the Minus key (the same key as the hyphen).
B. Type an em dash:
    1. Hold the Windows logo key.
    2. Press Shift + Minus key.

New Windows 11 Shortcuts for Dashes Example
fig. 1 - New Windows 11 Shortcuts for Dashes Example

iOS

This Windows shortcut does not apply on iPhone or iPad, but you still have fast options:
  1. Open any typing field.
  2. Long-press and hold the minus (hyphen) key on the on-screen keyboard.
  3. Slide to choose the longer dash you want. 

Android

Like iOS, the Windows shortcut does not apply, but many keyboards support it:
  1. Open any typing field.
  2. Long-press the minus (hyphen) key.
  3. Select the dash variant from the popup row (varies by keyboard). 

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Works at the OS level, not just inside Word. That means email, browsers, and chat tools benefit. 
  • No numeric keypad requirement, which eliminates the classic laptop pain point of Alt codes. 
  • Reduces formatting inconsistencies in business documents (hyphen-minus used as a fake dash is common and looks sloppy).

Cons
  • Rollout reality: you may not have it yet depending on your update channel and build. Plan for a transition period on teams with mixed patch levels. 
  • Some apps may intercept Windows-key combos in edge cases (especially remote desktop or specialized terminal environments). If your workflow lives there, test before you standardize on it.
  • Cultural noise: some readers now “notice” em dashes and try to infer authorship. The workaround is simple: use the punctuation you intend, and keep your rhythm human. 
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Feature Access

If you do not see it today, treat it as “currently rolling out” and re-check after the next Windows update cycle. 

Score

Criterion  |  Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 8
Saves time and removes a common laptop friction point for anyone who writes regularly.

Usability 9
Two memorable shortcuts that work broadly across apps, with minimal learning cost. 

Wow Factor 6
Not flashy, but it is a quality-of-life upgrade you will feel every day once it becomes muscle memory.

Total: 23/30  👍 Good
A small shortcut that meaningfully improves writing flow, similar in spirit to Win + V for clipboard history, but targeted at punctuation precision.

Key Takeaways

If you write on Windows 11, you can now type proper dashes without Alt codes or copy/paste. 

Once it reaches your PC, this becomes one of those “why was this not always here?” shortcuts you use daily. 

Cool Tip Snapshot
  • Feature Name: OS-level en dash and em dash shortcuts.
  • Platform(s): Windows 11.
  • Quick Benefit: Insert professional dashes instantly, anywhere you type.
  • Access Type (Free, Subscription, Beta): Currently rolling out.

Try It Yourself

Open Notepad and write three lines: a date range, a page range, and one punchy sentence using an em dash. 

Then drop a comment telling me where it worked (or did not) on your PC, subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter, and share this tip with your team, family, and friends.


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Have a great tip or tech question?

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.



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