An em dash is a punctuation mark that signifies a pause in a sentence or a change in thought. In Google Docs, it might not be as simple as just typing two hyphens to make an em dash. But there are still different ways to get it, and in this article, we will show you how.

1. Shortcut keys

One option is to use the shortcut keys to make an em dash. For Windows or Chromebook, hold the “Alt” key and type “0151” on the numeric keypad. For Mac, press the “Option” key and the hyphen or minus sign. This keyboard shortcut works in most applications, including Google Docs.

2. Insert Symbol

Another way to get an em dash in Google Docs is through the Insert Symbol functionality. Here’s how:

Step 1: Click on “Insert” from the toolbar, then choose “Special Characters.”

Step 2: From the pop-up window, select “Punctuation” from the drop-down menu, and scroll down to find the em dash.

Step 3: Click on the em dash symbol, then click “Insert” to add it to your document.

3. Copy and paste

If none of the above options work, you can always try to copy and paste the em dash from another source. Google Docs is compatible with other software applications, like Microsoft Word or even web pages, where you can easily find the em dash. Simply copy and paste the symbol you need into your Google Doc.

4. Replace with Google Docs add-on

If you’re finding that you’re always needing to use the em dash, you might want to consider installing the Replace with Google Docs add-on. This tool allows you to create a custom keyboard shortcut for the em dash, as well as other frequently used symbols or phrases. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open a Google Doc, then click on “Add-ons” from the toolbar.

Step 2: Choose “Get add-ons” from the dropdown, then search for “Replace with Google Docs” in the search bar.

Step 3: Install the add-on, then follow its instructions to set up the shortcuts for the em dash and other symbols.

In conclusion, there are several ways to add an em dash to your Google Docs document. You can use shortcut keys, insert the symbol from the “Special Characters” menu, copy and paste it from another source, or install the Replace with Google Docs add-on. Experiment with which method works best for you and start making your documents more polished and professional-looking.