Can't type an em-dash (Word for Mac)

Here is what worked for me. It allows you to use double dashes to create em-dashes as you type. It's not fixing the keyboard shortcut problem, but it'll let you get on with your writing.

In Autocorrect, you can set it up to change a double dash to an em-dash. Type simple double dashes -- in the Replace box and then type Option-Shift-Dash in the With box. Just remember to use a double dash.

Thanks, Bob.

I can see it must be frustrating to have folks direct their discontent to those who post an answer. I agree that sharing feedback directly with Microsoft is key. I'm sorry it seems that we are yelling at others who provide potential solutions. It's an emotional issue when you can't figure out why something that worked for literal years no longer works.

Having solutions offered by other users IS also helpful. In another post under my own comments, I tested using Autocorrect to change double dashes into to an em-dash as you type. It works! Just use Option-Shift-Dash to create the em-dash in the "with" field. (It works there, even though it doesn't work in a document itself.) I hope it helps others who are equally frustrated by this em-dash problem.

Despite the fact that Microsoft doesn't monitor this forum, it's important for users to share their frustration with rollbacks of functionality with each other so they don't think they are losing their minds. Plus, maybe if everyone says #bringbackemdashinwordformac on social media, we'll see a solution.

Hello, I am having the same problem as all of these people: all of a sudden, the usual em dash shortcut (shift + option + -) stopped working and instead started inserting a nonbreaking hyphen. Word for Mac is not letting me reset the shortcut. Like everybody else on this thread, I am so frustrated that this has happened. Can you please figure out how to restore the functionality of being able to press shift + option + - to create an em dash? It works everywhere else on my computer, including in other Office applications and in the Word search bar, but it just does not work in the document which is so exasperating.

Here are the dashes:

• dash

– en-dash

— em-dash

While the Autoformat As You Type gives you an option to automatically change a double dash -- to a "dash", that's an en-dash (–), not an em-dash (—).

BUT, here's a SOLUTION!

In Autocorrect, you can set it up to change a double dash to an em-dash. Type simple double dashes -- in the Replace box and then type Option-Shift-Dash in the With box. Miraculously, it changes automatically to a glorious em-dash — as you type!!!! Hoorah! (You just have to remember to double dash. Of course the user has to fix the software's mistakes...grrrrrrr.)

This is a workaround, but it still doesn't explain what the Option-Shift-Dash key combo creates, which apparently is nothing when you try to copy it elsewhere.

Perhaps the em-dash is incorrectly coded for the option-shift-dash keyboard combo, which messes everything up FOR TYPING IN DOCUMENTS ONLY. (Remember that it WORKS in the Autocorrect dialogue box.)

Hmmmmm..... Inquiring minds want to know. The rest of us want Microsoft to fix it!