How do I make two dashes when typed become one long dash?

[Lynn S]

How do I program Word so that when I type two dashes they automatically
connect to each other and become one long dash?
I hope you can help! Thank you.

 

[Greg Maxey]

A little about dashes:

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/marks/dash.htm

You can type an en dash directly by pressing CTRL and "-" on the number
keypad. You can type and em dash directly by pressing CTRL+ALT and "-" on
the number keypad.

You can create and AutoCorrect entry to replace -- with either an en or em
dash as follows:

Enter the en or em dash in the document. Select it. Use the Tools menu and
select AutoCorrect Options. The dash will be shown in the "With" field.
Type your two hyphens in the Rpelace field and press OK.

 

[Jay Freedman]

On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:58:01 -0700, Lynn S <Lynn

How do I program Word so that when I type two dashes they automatically
connect to each other and become one long dash?
I hope you can help! Thank you.

If you have Word 2003 or earlier, go to Tools > AutoCorrect Options >
AutoFormat As You Type. (Not the one that's just "AutoFormat".)

If you have Word 2007, go to Office button > Word Options > Proofing >
AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type.

In either case, check the box for "Hyphens with dash".

Note that the hyphens won't be replaced until you type the word after
the dash and a space or punctuation.

 

[Greg Maxey]

Thanks Jay. Perhaps I should heed my own tip:

"If you don't know the answer, it is ok to leave the question to those who
do." ;-)

 

[Jay Freedman]

If I had a nickel for every time I proposed some Rube Goldberg scheme
to reinvent the wheel, I could retiire today. <g>