Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 6, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
There are several different types of underlines you can use in Word. Underlining of characters is handled from the Font dialog box (select Font from the Format menu). The dialog box allows you to select from a variety of underline types. The following are the major types available:
Underline Type | Meaning | |
---|---|---|
None | Removes any underlining from the selected text | |
Single | Adds a single underline, the entire length of the selected text | |
Words Only | Underlines only the words (not spaces or tabs) in the selected text | |
Double | Adds a double-line underline, the entire length of the selected text | |
Dots | Same as Single, but uses a line of dots instead | |
Dashes | Same as Dots, but uses dashes instead of dots |
The actual types of underlines available, and how those types are presented in the dialog box, depend on your version of Word. For instance, Word 2003 offers 18 different options of underlines. Most of these options represent variations on the Single, Dots, and Dashes options mentioned above.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1224) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Understanding Underlines.
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